If this topic raises concerns for you or someone you love, support is available. You can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 in Australia for free, 24/7 crisis support.
In a world where social media often feels overwhelming, one viral video has sparked something deeply meaningful. Reasons to Stay is a suicide prevention website founded by Sam West – and in just over a week, it delivered hundreds of thousands of messages of hope to people doing it tough. Bec and Asa reflected on the website, and the tough topic of suicide, recently on Drive.
Why “Reasons to Stay” Was Created
Eight years after losing his younger brother Sam to suicide, Sam West chose to honour that painful anniversary in a powerful way. Instead of letting the day pass quietly, he launched a website designed to reach people in their darkest moments.
The idea behind Reasons to Stay is simple yet profound: deliver anonymous letters of hope, written by strangers, to people who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts.
These letters are not random or unchecked. Instead, a team of trained clinical moderators carefully review every submission before it is published. Each volunteer has experience supporting people in distress, ensuring the content is safe, compassionate and appropriate for vulnerable readers.
As a result, visitors can read words of warmth, encouragement and human connection – without judgment.
The Impact: Hundreds of Thousands of Letters Delivered
The response has been extraordinary. In just over a week, 416,894 letters were delivered to site visitors. That number alone highlights something important: many people are quietly struggling.
Even more encouraging, 74% of readers reported feeling much better after reading the letters. Those statistics point to a simple truth – words matter. Encouragement matters. Human connection matters.
The Power of Encouragement in Suicide Prevention
As Asa reflected during their chat, we often underestimate the power of a single kind sentence. Yet time and again, stories remind us that even a small “drop” of encouragement can sustain someone through an incredibly hard season.
A letter from a stranger may not know your full story. However, it can remind you that:
- You are seen.
- You are valued.
- You are not alone.
- Your life has meaning.
That reminder can be life-saving.
Loneliness and Mental Health in Men
Bec reminded us that loneliness is increasingly being described as an epidemic, particularly among men. Many men struggle to share what they’re going through. As a result, they often carry heavy burdens in silence. Websites like Reasons to Stay provide a low-pressure, anonymous way to receive encouragement. For some, it may feel easier to open a website than to open up to a friend.
That accessibility makes initiatives like this especially powerful in the broader conversation about mental health and suicide prevention.
You Can Be Part of the Solution
Even if you’re not currently going through a difficult season, Bec shared that you can still make a difference. The website invites people to submit their own anonymous letters of hope. If you have words of encouragement, empathy or faith, you can write a message that may reach someone in their lowest moment.
You may never meet them. However, your words could help carry them through another day. And sometimes, another day is everything.
If You Need Support Right Now
If this article has stirred something in you, please know that help is available. In Australia, you can contact Lifeline 24 hours a day on 13 11 14. Their trained counsellors provide free and confidential support.
If you are in immediate danger, please call emergency services on 000.
Suicide prevention starts with connection – with encouragement. It starts with reminding one another that there are always reasons to stay – even when they’re hard to see. And sometimes, hope arrives in the form of a letter from a stranger.
You can listen to Bec & Asa’s full chat about Reasons To Stay below.