Suicide Prevention: How Two Minutes Saved This Military Member's Life

In this deeply powerful episode of Chase Your Happy, I sit down with Malena Faison — a fellow service member I had the honor of serving alongside — to share a story that will stay with you long after the episode ends.

Malena walks us through the darkest day of her life:

She set a silent 15-minute timer and told herself that if no one spoke to her at work before it ran out… she was going to end her life.

With two minutes left, her supervisor looked at her, paused, and asked one question — that moment of human connection — that saved her life.

In this episode, Malena opens up about:

• The unseen mental health battles so many service members face

• The moment everything almost ended

• How one person’s awareness and compassion changed everything

• Her journey toward healing, purpose, and reclaiming her happiness

• What she wants every listener to know if they’re struggling

This is an episode about courage.

About the power of checking on people.

And about how one conversation — even one question — can save a life.

If you or someone you know has ever felt alone, invisible, or overwhelmed, this conversation is for you. You are not a burden. You are not alone. And you matter.

🚨 If You Need Immediate Help:

If you are in crisis, thinking about suicide, or worried about someone else, please reach out for help right now:

United States & Territories

• Call or text 988, or use chat via 988lifeline.org for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24/7, free, confidential).
  

Text-based help in several countries

• Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 in the US, 686868 in Canada, or 85258 in the UK & Ireland to connect with a trained crisis counselor (24/7).
  

Worldwide / find a local helpline

Because numbers differ by country, you can use these directories to find verified mental health or suicide prevention helplines near you:

• Find A Helpline – searchable global directory of free, confidential emotional-support and crisis lines: search by country or topic at findahelpline.com.

• Befrienders Worldwide – list of emotional support and suicide prevention centers in many countries: befrienders.org.

• International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) – links to crisis centers and helplines around the world.

If you can’t find a helpline or don’t know where to start, please contact your local emergency number immediately (for example, 911 in the US) or go to the nearest emergency room.