Saving Lives Behind the Smile

Smiles can be joyful, but sometimes they mask something deeper.

To understand topics like suicide and self-harm, you have to look at the numbers. In 2024, suicide was responsible for 48,824 deaths, and the amount of people who contemplated the act was much higher (CDC, 2024).

With September being nationally recognized as Suicide Prevention Month, the 100 Families Initiative of Mississippi County met to discuss this topic with "Behind the Smile: Understanding Suicide & Self-Harm."

Led by Mississippi County coordinator Regina Winford, this discussion shed light on topics like mental health, warning signs, and available community resources, all aimed at helping break the silence and reminding others that they do not have to struggle alone.

"Sometimes saving a life does not mean with having all the answers," Winford said. "We never truly know everything someone is carrying behind that smile."

One of the panelists was Tanya Phillips, M. Ed., M.H.Sc, founder and president of Reinventing Ourselves and Arkansas Wellness Network. Coming home from the war in Iraq, she was broken in more ways than one: financially, physically, and emotionally. She struggled with suicidal thoughts herself.

One day, her life changed forever. Phillips was hired to be Arkansas' first suicide prevention program manager.

"Luckily for me, it gave me the strength and the purpose to get up and stop feeling sorry for myself so I can help other people, and I think that's what saved my life, and it gave me my purpose."

Phillips formed the groups Reinventing Ourselves and the Arkansas Wellness Network, two organizations that promote everything dealing with hope, happiness, and health. She was also one of the minds behind 988, the three digit phone number for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Joining Phillips was Wes Holt, a lieutenant with the Harrisburg Police Department. Holt previously struggled with addiction and other unhealthy behaviors, but now uses his new life to help others be seen and heard.

"We can bring in mental health first aides, and assist talks, and we can bring in all these things to give you better tools inside the community so that you can be that first person that lets them be heard and seen."

Holt also highlighted the different indicators that one might show during times of crisis, stressing the importance of being involved with them as much as possible.

"And if they give you that, 'I'm fine,' or, 'I'm tired,' those are probably the two most common things when we go back and look at people that have completed suicide," Holt said. "Keep talking, keep asking, keep the conversation going."

Sometimes, the person struggling may be someone you love.

Shelly and Addyson Putt are the wife and daughter of the late John Putt III, who lost his life to suicide in March 2025. They share his story today as a message to others that no one should struggle in silence.

"We don't know what's going on behind closed doors at people's homes. We don't know what they're struggling with," Shelly said. "We don't know what they've been through. We don't know what they're walking through every day."

For Addyson, it's different. She has had to deal with the loss of her father as a teenage girl.

"It's hard for me because I'm a teenage girl going through so many different things in my life," Addyson said. "The last thing you want is for a parent to pass away, especially in the circumstances that took place."

She shares her personal experiences as a way to help others recognize the potential red flags one might be facing.

"I think taking that and just helping someone or sharing my story for the benefit of others so that they won't have to be in the situation and circumstances we were, that's my main focus."

Sandy Gillespie, executive director of Healing in the Hood, highlighted the significance of peer support for individuals during these times.

"Just let them know that they got your full attention, that you care, that you love them, because sometimes love and care covers all the rest that they need."

Gillespie also discussed the challenges that one might be dealing with, emphasizing how simply being physically present can make a big difference.

"They're dealing with all types of things at home, they're dealing with stuff at school. Self-esteem. Poverty. All these things are consuming them," Gillespie said. "Sometimes just getting a person there and listening full attention, and giving a hug and love and care, sometimes it resolves the problem."

Licensed professional counselor Carla Tilghman (Retrospect Counseling) added that you do not have to be a counselor to to show up for someone, and that your presence is key.

"It's a natural inclination that we want to fix and we want to help, but sometimes it's just really sitting in the sadness and then offering presence for a person."

Tilghman also said that starting conversations is crucial and provided ways people could create a safe space for those struggling.

Suicide and self-harm are two topics that are never easy to discuss, given their weight on our society today. We may never know what one's true intentions are behnd the smile they wear.

That is why it is up to us to be there for others, listen without judgment, and raise awareness for the warning signs that can ultimately save lives in Arkansas, and beyond.