How Do You Cope With the Loss, Billings?

Shortly before Thanksgiving, we here at Townsquare Media in Billings lost one of our own. John Thomas, or JT, as we called him, had quit the radio station on Halloween night and ultimately ended his own life the week of Thanksgiving.

It was hard on many of us. I only knew JT since July but quickly grew to work hand in hand with him and we became what I thought was pretty good friends.

He is missed by many.

This reason I bring this up is because Billings Police lost one of their own last week to the same circumstances and my heart goes out to them and their team because of this. I didn't know Sgt. Shawn P. Finnegan personally, but I understand that he was a very upstanding man who was loved by his family and his department, not mention all of those he helped over the 18 years he was on duty. I respect that.

Over the years I personally have lost a number of family and friends to this illness. Sometimes it's easy to spot the signs and sometimes it is not.

None the less, it is completely heartbreaking to the person that is sick and very much so to those around them.

In 2015 alone, I lost two friends to suicide almost a month apart from each other. One of those was JT.

Although we will never fully know what was going through their mind to make them make this decision, I for one will continue to pray for all of those suffering from depression and their families.

If you or someone you know is struggling with this issue, please don't hesitate calling the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1 (800) 273-8255.