Nothing fills an empty room. Nothing replaces a good morning. Nothing makes up for someone who is gone.

Loss creates a hole that no peg ever fits.

You get better. You deal with it. But it’s never like it was.

That’s true of any loss of a loved one, but it’s more jarring when it’s unexpected. And it’s rarely more unexpected than when someone takes their life.

This weekend, a memorial was held for the 28 people who died by suicide last year in Butler County.

Trinity Lutheran Church put out 28 paper birds to represent those who died by suicide. They worked with Butler County Suicide Coalition to help those who have lost someone cope.

It is fantastic there is a resource in the county for those affected by suicide to interact and have a chance to bond with each other.

We applaud them for that.

We also urge people to consider those around them who might be suffering from loneliness or depression.

There are so many people out there that may be on the verge of giving up, and the holidays can increase that feeling.

While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that, contrary to popular belief, the holidays do not result in an increase in suicides, they can increase stress and feelings of loneliness. While suicide rates on major holidays themselves are markedly lower than other days, the suicide rate in the days immediately following a holiday show a sharp increase, according to a study published by the National Institutes of Health. The study shows Christmas actually is the day that generally has the lowest suicide rate throughout the year, but just days later, on New Year’s, the rate is generally the highest for the year.

If you are experiencing feelings of depression or loneliness, reach out, ask for help and, most importantly, hold on.

If you’re fortunate enough not to be facing those challenges, we urge you reach out to those who might be, pay attention to those around you and, most of all, be kind.

The Butler County Crisis Line is available at 1-800-292-3866, or by text at 63288. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by call or text at 988.

— JP