Did you know that depression and suicide rates have risen around the country since the pandemic started? Perhaps that fact isn't that surprising, considering the current state of the world, but it is a sobering one. Remember, if you're ever feeling depressed or suicidal, there are people you can turn to. Even if you don't feel comfortable talking with the people in your life, always remember that the Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24/7 and you can call it at 800-273-8255, or you can visit their website, too.

Project Tomorrow Montana is working with United Way of Missoula County to help raise awareness of suicide with a digital quilt. The project is called "Projected Hope," and people can submit their photos to pay tribute to friends or family members who have lost their lives to suicide. Each night through the end of the month, the digital quilt will be projected onto the side of First Montana Bank on Higgins, which has a large white wall that's perfect for a projection like this.

The quilt actually had a test run during Suicide Prevention Week last fall, and was officially launched downtown last week. For more info about "Projected Hope," you can check out its website where it lays out its mission and goes into more detail. It also has a space for you to submit your own photos if you'd like to add to the quilt.

Have you seen the "Projected Hope" digital quilt while driving around Missoula yet? Do you think it's a good way to help make people more aware of suicide?

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