Never Alone: Deepak Chopra and Suicide Prevention

Through prayer, we speak to our Higher Power. Through dreams, our Higher Power speaks back to us.

~Kathleen O’Keefe-Kanavos

Suicide has surpassed car accidents as the number one cause of injury-related death in the United States, especially for cancer patients and teens. (1)(2) What if we could make a change and impact lives? On May 9 alternative medicine expert Dr. Deepak Chopra launched “Never Alone” and the film “The Offering” to address suicide. (3) Deepak Chopra partnered with entrepreneur Poonacha Machaiah, actress Gabriella Wright, and director Michel Pascal to unite a global coalition of mental health charities and initiatives to bring solutions to a problem plaguing all ages, sexes, and socioeconomic levels; suicide.

The call came from Reverend Dr. Temple Hayes, one of the online presenters and participants in the movie The Offering. She invited me to speak on the event with 24 presenters, which included Rev. Marianne Williamson, Rev. Michael Beckwith, Dr. Joan Borysenko, and Dr. Bernie Siegel, to name just a few. It left me with feelings of purpose and doubt.

To what do I deserve this honor? Perhaps it is because cancer patients often have suicidal thoughts, and I’m a three-time survivor. Could I…would I…dare to bare my soul on a worldwide live-streaming event? The idea of sharing my dream about Franciscan Monks, who came into my dream and saved me from myself, was both invigorating and frightening. What if they think I’m crazy and need to be on meds, not on their event? I thought, but, graciously said, “Yes! Thank you.”

During my live video simulcast on Facebook, only one question was asked by Gabriella Wright, “What’s your unique solution to help people feel better mentally and spiritually in life?”

It is my belief that through prayer, we speak to our Higher Power. And, it is through dreams that our Higher Power speaks back to us. So, my answer was simple, “Connect with spiritual guidance through dreams, prayers, and meditation.” Then I shared the story of the monks who were the answer to my prayers….

When diagnosed with a 9×11 cm breast cancer recurrence, my fear of slow death, needles, and hospitals made me feel trapped and consider suicide. Then something miraculous…