mmmm, homemade cookies day!

Happy National #HomemadeCookiesDay! These mummies aren’t totally homemade (I chocolate-covered storebought @Oreo cookies). Click through the thread to see more favorites I baked, and some from my son, Matt, and his boyfriend, Robert. pic.twitter.com/kiL2skBRic

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) October 1, 2021

Homemade #Cookies from Matt and Robert: #EasterEgg nest cookies. Custom-iced sugar cookies (#Mario! #Luigi! #BabyYoda!) And homemade Oreos! All three of us find baking therapeutic. Do you? 🍪#HomemadeCookiesDay pic.twitter.com/H4qi3bwasW

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) October 1, 2021

self-care summary: keep being kind to yourself

Let’s wrap up #SuicidePreventionMonth and #SelfCareMonth w/more encouragement toward #selfkindness! I love these say-out-loud #affirmations from @wednesdayholmes! Also a list of good things you deserve (but sometimes might forget) from @blessthemessy. ❤️💙💛 #selfcare #kindness pic.twitter.com/RvaMpBrVFZ

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 30, 2021

self kindness: live for today

A message from https://t.co/K8Ck9LI38x for #SelfCare Awareness Month: practice #selfkindness by not letting yesterday use up too much of today! ❤️💙💛 #mindfulness #bepresent #bekind #kindness #loveyourself #takecare #harmonywillowstudio pic.twitter.com/mTULWmwxh5

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 29, 2021

self kindness is self care we all can do

September is National Self Care Awareness Month. This illustration and message from Beth Evans of @bethdrawsthings sums that up for me.

There are a lot of different interpretations of what self care is. To some, it’s taking a bubble bath or getting a massage. Some posts urging you to perform self care suggest things like taking a day off or a vacation, having a spa day, or other such activities that involve the luxury of flexible time, disposable income, or both. Obviously not everyone is positioned to be able to choose that kind of self care.

I think it’s better to advocate for taking a “self-kindness” approach — something that’s not out of reach for any of us. Speak to yourself in a nicer tone of voice. Tell yourself you don’t have to feel guilty for saying no to unreasonable demands on your time (or honestly to anything you want to say no to!). Consider your good qualities and work on feeing proud of them. All of us can be a little kinder to ourselves. Making a conscious effort to do so is perhaps the best kind of self care.

For #SelfCareAwarenessMonth, I’m promoting #selfkindness! Not everyone has time/cash to take a spa day or vacation, but all of us can speak more kindly to ourselves, say no when we want to & not feel guilty, and try harder to appreciate our own good qualities. 🎨 #bethdrawsthings pic.twitter.com/jOhEbI5oUB

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 28, 2021

Mario Monday: hallmark keepsakes

#MarioMonday with my #SuperNES @Hallmark #KeepsakeOrnament! It’s so cute with its little #SuperMarioWorld cartridge. See above for video of the light & sound. pic.twitter.com/5bIeDA5EXw

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 27, 2021

more resources, for healthy minds

Here's another organization I learned about from the @imlistening #mentalhealth broadcast: @ProjHealthyMind! (#ImListening cohost Carson Daly is on their board.) Check out their easy-to-navigate resources page, /Guide for Healthy Minds, at the link below. https://t.co/zZ46xMXmYe

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 26, 2021

new resource: sound it out!

Quick links: Sound It Out main site, Sound It Out game, I’m Listening 2021 broadcast

… and even a music game (https://t.co/v7ermlWxAT) you can play to open the lines of communication with your child. If you missed the #ImListening #mentalhealth broadcast, you can hear it in full at https://t.co/bHeteuvYJX. 2/2 @imlistening @soundit_out

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 25, 2021

keep going! you're getting somewhere

Someday you’ll look back and see you were going somewhere all along. https://t.co/0pAFiQHDLA ❤️💙💛 #thebestwayoutisthrough #StepByStep #KeepGoing #revelatori #GoingSomewhere pic.twitter.com/GicCsjsbS1

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 24, 2021

don't miss "i'm listening" from audacy

If you missed the I’m Listening mental health broadcast live, you can stream it in full here.

Tonight from 6-8 your local time, don't miss @imlistening — real talk about #mentalhealth from artists, athletes, and mental health professionals you know and love. Listen on any @Audacy station or in the app. #SuicidePreventionMonth #spm21 #SelfCareAwarenessMonth #selfcare https://t.co/1cib2QEZUx

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 23, 2021

it's national indoor plant week!

At this point I will embrace anything good as a cause for celebration, but I’m happy to show off my #houseplants for #IndoorPlantWeek! Cameo from my #greyhound, Kansas (catchmeifyoukansas) who enjoys this room as much as I do. ❤️💙💛 #plantcareisselfcare #plantparenthood pic.twitter.com/ZdqDcsIpA9

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 22, 2021

celebrating international day of peace

Today is the @UN #InternationalDayOfPeace, a day to commit to #peace above all differences.

It’s also National #IndoorPlantsWeek, so apropos of both, here are my #PeaceLilies, given to us in memory of Rader. These are easy to care for and will grow & multiply! 🪴 #spathiphyllum pic.twitter.com/oPnGqxh9sB

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 21, 2021

Mario Monday: Monstera Mario!

This #MarioMonday happens to fall in #IndoorPlantWeek! Here are new pics of my #Monstera: big and small ones are both putting out new leaves. Sometimes everything else feels like it’s falling apart. Nurturing my #houseplants feels safe & productive. ❤️💙💛🪴#plantcareisselfcare pic.twitter.com/jSW9Kil5er

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 20, 2021

#BeThe1To save a life

#SuicidePreventionMonth is always challenging for me; there’s so much work to be done. Now that I’ve finished this #BeThe1To series, I’m taking a week off from https://t.co/UoCmXDQ07u daily posts. Feels weird but will do me good. Much love; see y’all next week. ❤️💙💛 #SelfCare

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 14, 2021

#BeThe1To follow up

If someone you know tells you they’ve been thinking about #suicide, #BeThe1To follow up with them. It can make all the difference.

To learn more about the 5 steps you can use to help save a life, visit https://t.co/ed7yh2bvIH. ❤️💙💛 #SPM21 #SuicidePreventionMonth #FollowUp pic.twitter.com/G6tTMwDHzQ

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 12, 2021

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and this is the last of the five action steps to help stop suicide, brought to you by #BeThe1To. Look over my posts from this past week to see them all.

This pic was from a family trip to @universalorlando when Rader was 10. We always tried on silly hats and stuff in gift shops on vacation. (I chose this image for “Follow Up,” because if a shark bites you on the head, you will surely need some follow-up. Rader and I shared this weird sense of humor.)

If you are struggling, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline '1-800-273-TALK (8255)' is available to you 24/7. I’ll share more resources throughout #SuicidePreventionMonth, and you can always find them at raderward.com/mentalhealth.

Find out how you can use the five steps to help save a life at BeThe1To.com.

#BeThe1To help them connect

If someone you know is thinking about #suicide, #BeThe1To help them connect to resources. Help them build a support system, including @800273TALK, family, friends, clergy, coaches, coworkers, or therapists. (Pic w/ #SnapJudgment’s @glynnwashington, @ATLSymphonyHall.) #SPM21 pic.twitter.com/aMVmHz5YXf

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 11, 2021

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and this is the fourth of the five action steps to help stop suicide, brought to you by #BeThe1To.

This photo with the incredible @glynndwashington was taken during a family trip to see a live performance of @snapjudgmentradio at Atlanta Symphony Hall — just a few months before Rader’s death by suicide in June 2017. Snap Judgment was one of Rader’s favorite podcasts and is still one of mine. He and I used to listen to it in the car going to and from school. Every time I hear an episode now, I wonder what he would say about the latest story.

If you are struggling, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline '1-800-273-TALK (8255)' is available to you 24/7. I’ll share more resources throughout #SuicidePreventionMonth, and you can always find them at raderward.com/mentalhealth.

Find out how you can use the five steps to help save a life at BeThe1To.com.

it's world suicide prevention day

Rader should still be here. He had so much life left to be lived! He’s not here, but *you* are, and you should stay! The world needs you in it. You are loved and valued. Today on #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, and every day, your life matters. #BeHereTomorrow pic.twitter.com/gJUf154rmK

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 10, 2021

#BeThe1To keep them safe

If you ask someone if they are thinking about #suicide and they say yes, #BeThe1To keep them safe. Separate them from anything they are thinking of using to hurt themselves.

To learn the 5 lifesaving steps, see https://t.co/ed7yh2bvIH. For help call @800273TALK. #keepthemsafe 1/ pic.twitter.com/Zscv9JGeX5

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 9, 2021

September is Suicide Prevention Month, and this is the third of #BeThe1To’s five action steps to help stop suicide.

This photo was taken during our family Spring Break, just weeks before Rader’s death by suicide in June 2017. Here we are braving @360chicago’s TILT, where the whole glass wall tilts out from the 94th floor of the John Hancock building and you can look down to the street below. It was scary, but we were all safe together here. I never would have guessed Rader was less safe at home. I wish he had said something, or I had known better how to start the conversation.

If you are struggling, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline '1-800-273-TALK (8255)' is always available to you. I’ll be sharing more resources throughout this #SuicidePreventionWeek and Month, and you can always find them at raderward.com/mentalhealth.

Find out how you can use the five steps to help save a life at BeThe1To.com.

#BeThe1To be there

If someone you know is thinking about #suicide, take the next step and #BeThe1To be there. Listen to their reasons for feeling hopeless and in pain. Listen without judgment and with compassion and empathy. Learn how the 5 steps can help you save a life at https://t.co/ed7yh2bvIH. pic.twitter.com/BkmUZMhBRQ

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 8, 2021

If someone you know is thinking about suicide, take the next step and #BeThe1To be there. Listen to their reasons for feeling hopeless and in pain. Listen without judgment and with compassion and empathy.

Don’t downplay their concerns by saying “it’s not so bad,” or “you have so much to be grateful for,” or even “it’s all going to be OK.” Rather, acknowledge their pain, and assure them that while you may not be able to fix anything for them, they can count on you to continue to be there for them.

The photo shows Rader (left) on a beach trip with his best friend when they were in 7th grade, November 2013.

If you are struggling, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-TALK (8255) is available to you 24/7. I’ll share more resources throughout this #SuicidePreventionMonth, and you can always find them on our mental health resources page. From our home page, click the photo of Rader on the bench. Or follow the link: raderward.com/mentalhealth.

Find out what the five steps are and how you can use them to help save a life at BeThe1To.com.

#BeThe1To ASK

The photo above shows Rader’s 15th birthday, the last he would celebrate. He died by #suicide days before his 16th birthday in June 2017. We knew he was #depressed and sought all the professional help and support we could. I asked often if he was ok … #spm21 2/4

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 7, 2021

If you’re still not sure how to start the conversation, check out https://t.co/7SRKbD1k6D and https://t.co/LaZicslPrm for practical tips. #seizetheawkward #realconvo #spm21 4/4

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 7, 2021

Mario Monday: art by jiggidyjakes

It’s #MarioMonday, and #Mario art by @jacobscomix is making me happy today! I love this color palette, and his style is so dynamic! Follow him for more fun Mario art in your feed. ❤️💙💛 #toad #luigi #princesspeach https://t.co/dMgMdeuY4f

— Rader Ward Foundation (@RaderWardFound) September 6, 2021