Every year, thousands of Americans die by suicide. In the United States, men account for nearly 80% of those deaths. That’s about 107 men every day, 749 every week, more than 3,200 every month, and one man every 13 minutes.

These aren’t random numbers. They’re real people—fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, and friends.

A lot of men deal with things quietly. They keep moving forward. They don’t talk about it. They don’t ask for help. They keep their minds in a state of sedation, sometimes until it’s too late.

Real strength isn’t pretending nothing is wrong. It’s not handling everything alone.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

Iron sharpens iron.

This June, take the time to sharpen the iron by checking on the men in your life. Send a text. Make a call. Ask the question—and listen to the answer.

No speeches. No trying to fix everything. Just be there.

Because silence is costing lives, and we’re losing far too many.

Zach Rodriguez is a lifelong Kenosha County resident, former Kenosha County Board Supervisor, and business owner. During his six years in county government, he focused on public safety, fiscal responsibility, and government accountability. Professionally, he has held leadership roles overseeing personnel, operations, and security programs, bringing both public and private-sector perspectives to issues affecting Wisconsin communities.