Atlanta woman raising awareness on suicide prevention advocate after losing love of her life

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – After losing her wife to suicide, an Atlanta woman is speaking out, sharing messages of hope with the community.

Ellen Marks said she didn’t see any major signs that her wife, Monica, was struggling as much as she was.

“We got married in 2012. So we were together 30 years and married for 12 years before she passed away,” said Marks.

There are some losses that cut so deep all you can do is count.

“September 30, 2021, three years and 10 days,” said Marks, “She was perfect for me. I think we were perfect for each other.”

Sept. 30 is the day Marks lost the love of her life.

“I absolutely had no idea that it was anything on the caliber of suicidal ideation,” said Marks.

Monica died of suicide. She was 57 years old.

“I can’t stand it. I can’t stand it. The love of my life is gone,” said Marks.

Marks said she does what she can to honor Monica. One of the ways she does that is through the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Walk in Atlanta.

“I use the walk and we gather before the event for a big opening ceremony and I talk to people about it,” said Marks.

Losing her wife is a heartbreak Marks will be navigating the rest of her life. There are things she wishes she could’ve said if she had known how much her wife was struggling that she now tells the community: you do not have to suffer in silence and you are not alone.

If you are struggling and need help, call 988 for the suicide and crisis lifeline.

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