At the age of 6, Matthew lost his father to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. At the age of 37, he lost his 15-year-old daughter to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Between those two deaths, he lost a cousin and two uncles to suicide, and a brother to self-harm.HOPE reveals the tenacity of the human heart, showcases unrelenting faith, and shares immovable HOPE while giving a breathtaking inside look into the battle against generational dysfunction, destruction, and death. Matthew goes beyond simple ‘suicide awareness’ by giving a raw perspective into its warning signs, contributing factors, depth of impact, and the cascade of damage inflicted upon those left behind. Matthew challenges us to have a critical discussion about suicide as a three-part-problem set: body/mind/spirit while telling us how to embrace growth, healing, engage in the careful art of stewarding hardship and trials, and the need for both accountability and partnership with healthy people who are committed to helping the wounded heal and grow.

Matthew Mattera