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A shared joy is a double joy;

A shared sorrow is half a sorrow.

Half a Sorrow helps workplaces, schools, organizations, and communities deal with suicide risk, cope with loss, and foster connection through education and support.

 

Help us to prevent suicide by talking about 

mental health!

Suicide claims far too many lives, ranking as the 11th leading cause of death in America. This heartbreaking epidemic highlights the profound need for awareness and support for those who are hurting among us. Too often, individuals suffer in silence with mental health issues that can lead to suicide.

Through compassionate outreach, education, and advocacy, we can foster life-saving connections.

 
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Book Dennis Gillan

Dennis Gillan, founder and executive director of the Half a Sorrow Foundation, turned his tragedy into purpose after losing his two brothers to suicide. He is a highly sought-after speaker and mental health advocate. His candid story of perseverance creates connection, instills hope, and helps break the stigma of talking about mental health.


Book a Talk
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Support Our Work

We can't do it alone. Your donation enables us to subsidize speaking fees and travel expenses so we can accept more engagements nationwide. By empowering our ability with your financial gift, you help us reach wider audiences, amplify our life-saving impact, and create a society where fewer have to suffer in silence.


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watch the TEDx talk

View Dennis’s TEDx Talk

Watch Dennis Gillan speak on the TEDx stage to help people combat loneliness. Join him as he explores his fear of dying alone only to discover that his true fear is living alone.


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Share Your Sorrow

A shared joy is a double joy; a shared sorrow is half a sorrow. Share your sorrow to start your journey toward healing from the trauma that has impacted your life.


Share Your Story

Notable Speaking Events

The numbers
speak for themselves.


One suicide is too many. When it happens, predicting the impact on families and organizations is impossible. The grief and pain can feel endless, and contagion is a real possibility. With compassion and community, healing is possible. Half a Sorrow can help.

11th

leading cause of death in America

    • Ages 15-2415%
    • Ages 25-3419%

80%

of all suicide deaths in 2021 were male

    • Ages 35-4416%
    • Ages 45-5418%

1700000

estimated suicide attempts in 2022

    • Ages 55-6417%
    • Ages 65-7415%

136

suicides per day on average

    • Ages 75-8419%
    • Age 85+22%
    • Ages 15-2415%
    • Ages 25-3419%
    • Ages 35-4416%
    • Ages 45-5418%
    • Ages 55-6417%
    • Ages 65-7415%
    • Ages 75-8419%
    • Age 85+22%

Testimonials

"A shared joy is a double joy; a shared sorrow is half a sorrow." - Swedish proverb

Half a Sorrow works tirelessly through speaking engagements, training programs, and advocacy initiatives to spread awareness, eliminate stigma, and foster life-saving human connections. Read a few REAL responses from REAL people:


A message that needs to be heard

Dennis Gillan has an important message that needs to be heard. He shares his personal, hard, difficult story with such raw honesty. Yet, he is a gifted and entertaining speaker that interjects humor in appropriate and timely ways. I highly recommend Dennis Gillan to come speak to your group or organization.

Rev. Rhett Sanders

The best suicide talk I've ever heard

Your talk was so motivational; usually when people talk about suicide, I get this weird feeling inside of me and I get uncomfortable listening to people talking about it. Your talk changed that. It wasn't all sad stories and saying, "this is why you shouldn’t do it." You did it in a more positive way, through not only sharing the sad stories, but sharing good ones too. You made me feel like even I can help at least one person.

Penn State Sigma Kappa Sorority Member

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Access Suicide Prevention Resources

Explore our free resources to learn more about suicide prevention and mental health.


Contact us today.

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If you're ready to book a life-saving talk or want more information about how Half a Sorrow can help you or your organization, contact us online today. We will reach out to you a soon as possible.