I'm so sad life doesn't feel worth living anymore.
But I don't know where to go to get help. 
Help is too expensive. 
I don't want my parents to find out I'm suffering from depression. 

 Have you ever thought any of these thoughts?

I can honestly say I have thought all of these thoughts at one time in my life.

 At that time in my life, I wish more than anything, I would have known about Common Ground, based in Pontiac. And I wish they would have offered all that they do today.

You can no longer give those excuses anymore. At Common Ground, crisis lines are free. Just having someone to talk to can mean the difference between life and death. But those who work at Common Ground know that this might not even be an option.

After all, as a teenager (or when you were a teenager), how many times can you say you've been talking on your phone in your room, only to have a parent ask you, "Who was that you were talking to?" So Common Ground has taken it one step further -- they're offering an online chat service. From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, volunteers will be available to speak with anyone experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship problems, family stressors, abuse, bullying, etc.

 I wish something like this would have existed when I was a teenager.

I feel like Common Ground could use all the resources it can get – and we can help give them those resources. Common Ground was one of 150 charities recently chosen to compete for a grant of up to $25,000 in the Art Van Charity Challenge.

Tomorrow (May 31) is the last day to vote. I just voted today.

 Simply visit Art Van Charity Challenge. After you click vote, you will be required to register with your name and email address and create a password. Next you will receive a confirmation email. After you have received your confirmation, you can log in and begin voting by scrolling down to Common Ground’s logo, which looks like this:

 I would encourage everyone to vote, and help Common Ground get that much closer to ending this epidemic called “Suicide” – ending that as even as option. Instead, I want, more than anything, that when people are feeling suicidal and depressed for their first option to be to pick up the phone and call Common Ground, or hop online, and know someone will be there, willing to help.

The chat function on Common Ground Helps started at the beginning of this month for people who just need to talk, including people contemplating suicide. Volunteers will be available to chat from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Those who are or know someone who is contemplating suicide can also call the 24-hour Common Ground crisis line at 800-231-1127 or 248-456-0909.

For residents interested in volunteering with Common Ground answering chat messages or phone calls, call 248-451-3752 for more information. The Common Ground Crisis Resource Center is located at Doctor’s Hospital Seminole Building, Suite 100, 461 W. Huron St. in Pontiac.