Meet Izzy Boring. Between the incarceration of her father and her mom’s journey raising 5 kids while battling cancer, Izzy was no stranger to suffering growing up. In freshman year, Izzy met her boyfriend Cade. As they started dating, they began to plan a life together- the dream was to go to the same college, play basketball together, and eventually get married. But all those plans suddenly shattered when Izzy lost Cade to suicide during their senior year of high school. Although Izzy’s story is one she would have never chosen for herself, she knew she wanted to use her story and her voice to bring hope to other people by reminding them that they aren’t alone and life is worth sticking around for.

This is her story.

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“Izzy Boring was born in a small town north of Spokane, Washington. Izzy began playing basketball when she was four years old – in part because she was the only girl in a family of four brothers. Life took a turn for Izzy, when as an eight year old, Izzy’s father was sentenced to six years in prison for theft.  

“We were all on the couch and they [the police] came and they took my dad away. So that was really hard as an eight year old, seeing all these police show up to your house, all the red and blue lights, and then watching them escort your dad out and having no idea why.”

After her dad was sentenced, Izzy’s family moved into a single wide trailer in Spokane. “I was pinned as being a daughter whose dad went to prison. That’s how I saw myself because of what other people told me,” Izzy says. To someone in a similar situation, Izzy says to remember that “the actions of other people doesn’t determine who you are, and it was never your fault.”

SHOWNOTES & RESOURCES

Connect with Izzy: @izzyboring

Recommended Resources:

Grief & Loss of a Loved One: If you or a loved one are struggling with grief after the loss of a loved one, check out the resources from Dougy Center. For resources specifically for survivors of suicide loss, check out these resources from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Suicide, Depression, & Anxiety: If you or a loved one are struggling with a mental health challenge (suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety) visit these resources from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. SUICIDE & CRISIS MENTAL HEALTH HELP HOTLINE: 988 If you or someone you know is in crisis—whether they are considering suicide or not—please call to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7.

Interested in learning more about suicide prevention? Consider taking a Q(question)P(persuade)R(respsonse) training course through the QPR Institute