As a heart surgeon, I dedicate my days to repairing physical hearts. However, I have come to realize that the most fragile struggles often remain invisible on an x-ray or in an operating room. Instead, they are silently carried within the hearts and minds of our loved ones.

This month, during Suicide Prevention Month, I want to remind you that your life is of utmost importance. Just as every heartbeat is precious, so is every story, dream, and individual behind it.

Checking in on someone you love —your children, a spouse, a relative, friend, or coworker— and listening without judgment can be life-saving. Healing sometimes comes from compassion, connection, and the courage to seek help, rather than solely from medicine or surgery.

Let us stand together in hope, remind each other of our worth, and protect not only our hearts but also the spirit that keeps them beating.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please know that help is always within reach. In the U.S., you can dial 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.