At Suicide Prevention UK, we often come across words that feel like they were written in the very moments we walk alongside — the quiet, difficult, courageous moments people face when they’re holding on. The following poem, written by Topher Kearby, is one of those pieces.
Topher is a widely recognised American poet, writer, and visual storyteller whose words have resonated across social media and mental health spaces globally. Known for his raw honesty and empathy, Topher writes about what it means to be human: uncertain, emotional, resilient, and worthy of love — even in the messiest parts of life.
His poetry doesn’t hide from pain. It embraces it — and in doing so, it helps people feel seen, validated, and less alone.
We’re honoured to share one of his most moving pieces below.
You Are Not Alone
by Topher Kearby
You are not alone with your heavy thoughts.
With the moments when you feel like it’s all too much.
You are not alone with your pain or your heartache.
You are not alone with your healing.
We are all connected in ways that we will never fully understand.
But I do believe that when one of us hurts, we all hurt.
And when one of us feels joy, we all feel joy.
We are humans.
Beautiful and flawed.
Complicated and wonderful. Just as we are.
It’s impossible to make all the right choices.
It’s impossible to be perfect — because that is not how we are built.
We are imperfect creatures thrown into a world full of struggle and questions.
And we do our best to find ourselves along the way.
So the next time you have a dark thought,
Or a tough moment that you feel singles you out
As someone who isn’t strong enough to keep going —
Remember: you are not alone.
You are not a failure.
You are a normal human being,
With thoughts and struggles we all share.
Life is a messy, beautiful job.
But it’s all worth it.
And I know that our best days are still waiting to be experienced.
Trust me. Keep going.
???? Why This Matters
At Suicide Prevention UK, we know how powerful a single sentence can be. Sometimes, poetry becomes the thing that makes someone pause, breathe, and stay. This is why we’re building a space on our blog to share meaningful words — for those who need them, when they need them most.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone.
???? Call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK – 0800 587 0800
???? Learn more or support our work at www.spuk.org.uk
Topher Kearby