Suicide Survivor "journey of happiness and celebration"

Suicide survivor sharing hope with Missoula students
KTVH NBC News
Anna Penner-Ray
September 13, 2018

MISSOULA – Willard Alternative High School in Missoula invited musician and suicide survivor David Simmons to host a three-day workshop as part of National Suicide Prevention Week.

Simmons says he’s been inspired to bring awareness and education to teenagers and says his message is a celebration of life in the wake of his 2009 suicide attempt.

Willard students will collaborate with Simmons during the workshop to write a song about a journey of happiness and celebration.

Simmons says it’s a natural fit to use his musical and educational background to reach the students, and the connection is tremendous.

“The reason music works for me is that it instantly gives kids a voice. The two things for me are never give up, tell your story — just keep those things going,” said Simmons who founded the UBU Project.

“If you plant that seed with someone young enough hopefully they don’t get to the point that I did in later years, because they will be in the habit of telling their stories and expressing themselves,” he added.
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