'There's hope': Milwaukee artist focused on suicide prevention

By: Stephanie Rodriguez Facebook | Twitter

Posted: Oct 6, 2024 6:04 AM CDT

’There’s hope’: Milwaukee artist focused on suicide prevention

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — A young Milwaukee artist is using her own experiences with suicide to show others it does get better.

"When I was little in Veracruz, I used to draw on the walls of my house," Linda Perez Santiago said. "After that, I decided that 'Oh, I am going to be an artist when I grow up.'"

Santiago is only 20 years old but has been through a lot of tough times. After three suicide attempts, she's ready to take life for everything it is and share her story.

"I know that it's important for me to talk about it because it's just like, I don't want nobody else to feel that way. It's just so hard to talk about it because it's like the universe decided to keep me here for something," she said.

"I'm still here. Maybe that's why I am still here. Maybe I need to talk more. Maybe I need to share this with the world. To show others that it's okay to talk about it that they will get out of it, and if they need to talk to somebody, I'm always here."

Art is her outlet, and she is hoping to get some of her drawings published.

"Most of the books are for kids, like coloring books," Santiago explained.

While she works every day to get better physically and mentally, she continues to pick up a paintbrush and express herself.

"I try to put my emotions in my work," she said.

She plans to return to school once she's back on her feet, and she's not going to let anything stop her from working to break the stigma around suicide while being a living example that it does get better.

"I signed up for suicide prevention because I want to advocate for others because I know when I was in a bad place, it was like there was no way out of here, and I know that there is still hope, and I want to share that with others, my story because there is always a light, there is always a hope for the future," she said. "There's hope. There's hope."

Santiago started a GoFundMe to help with her efforts to publish her coloring books. To donate, click here. If you would like to follow her on Instagram.