Brighten Your Day

Dad Posts Encouraging Signs Around Town To Lower Suicide Rates

May 27, 2019

"Be the change you want to see," says Colby Wallace.

That's why he launched the "You Matter" campaign in Seattle to strengthen mental health.

Credit: Colby Wallace

For the past few weeks, Wallace has been putting up signs with words of encouragement along the sidewalks near his daughters' elementary school in Queen Anne, Seattle.

This initiative came after the 42-year-old father heard about four recent suicides in his county.

"These were local high school students and no one was really talking about it," Wallace told Yahoo News.

The signs read: 'You're Worthy of Love,' 'Don't Give Up,' 'You Matter,' and 'Your Mistakes Don't Define You.'

"I've learned that you never know who is struggling," Wallace said. "Some people seem like they have it together but need to hear this."

"A woman told me she was in tears after dropping off her daughter at school because the sign made her feel heard."

Wallace simply hopes his message will become contagious and it appears to be working. Neighbors have started donating money to Wallace for him to order more signs.

"I don't know where this thing ends, but for now, for today, this is what we are going to do," he said. "Don't give up."