Depression and suicide have altered our lives forever

My Story - Richard Udinga

My background is in sales, marketing, and technical engineering, and for many years I believed I was doing everything life expected of me. I built a home, settled down, became a father, and built a successful business that operated for 14 years. From the outside, it looked like I had achieved the things many people work hard for — a career, a family, a home, and financial stability.

But inside, something was missing. I had never been taught the importance of emotional intelligence, self-awareness and mental wellbeing.

I had followed the path I thought I was meant to follow, yet I did not feel fulfilled. Over time, I came to understand that many people appear to be coping on the outside while quietly struggling on the inside.

Then life changed dramatically. A large public company went bankrupt while owing my business millions of dollars. The impact placed my business, my livelihood, and everything I had built under enormous pressure. At the same time, my relationship of 20 years came to an end. I went from having a home and a factory with no debt to being jobless, single, and living in my parents’ back shed with my daughter.

At 42, I was facing the reality of starting again from scratch.

The stress, anxiety, shame, and uncertainty became overwhelming. I was in court with the business, navigating the end of my relationship, and trying to hold everything together. Like many people, I kept telling others I was OK, even when I was not. I now know how hard it can be to admit I was struggling, especially when I felt the pressure to appear strong for everyone around me

Eventually, I reached rock bottom. I felt useless, hopeless, disconnected, and alone. Another relationship ended badly, and my self-worth was at its lowest point. I did not know how to ask for help. What I needed most was support, understanding, and someone who could truly listen without judgement.

I began seeking help through traditional medical pathways. For some people, medication and psychology are important and valuable parts of healing. For me, at that time, I felt as though the medication was masking what I was carrying, and my experience left me feeling diagnosed rather than understood. I knew I needed to keep searching for a way forward that helped me feel seen, supported, and understood.

That search led me to meditation, life coaching, men’s work, and other forms of personal development. Eventually, I joined a men’s group focused on taking my power back. During the process, I felt and released years of suppressed emotions, which I now better understand.

That changed my life. It saw how important it was to have spaces where I could be honest about what I was carrying before it became too much. If my anger and pain had come out in the wrong place, without support, the outcome could have been catastrophic

I began rebuilding my life, slowly and honestly. I learned that healing is not instant. It takes time, patience, courage, most importantly connection.

Then I lost a close friend to suicide. That loss hit me deeply. I questioned whether I could have done more. I wondered whether, if I had encouraged him to join me on my own journey, he might still be here. Grief had me carrying guilt and asking painful questions. It also reminded me that many people suffer silently, and we often do not see the true depth of someone’s pain until it is too late.

Since then, I have been open about my experiences and have tried to support others where I can. I have also known others who have taken their own lives. I understand what it feels like to live in a constant fight-or-flight state, to carry emotional pain, and to feel isolated and unworthy.

I believe there is a path forward when people are met with the right support, connection, and understanding.

I have seen important awareness campaigns encourage people to ask, “Are you OK?” But I have also noticed that when someone honestly answers “no,” many people do not know what to do next. That does not mean they do not care. Often, it means they have never been shown how to respond, how to listen, how to sit with discomfort, or how to guide someone toward support.

That is why Here 2 Hear was created. Together with my buddy Troy, who is also a life coach, we developed the idea for a platform built around genuine connection, empathy, and practical support. Here to Hear is about creating a place where people can feel heard without judgement and where those who want to help can be guided on how to respond with compassion, understanding, and care.

Our vision is to build pathways of support that help people before they reach crisis point. 

Every person reached represents a family, a friend, and a community saved from potential pain and grief.

Behind every statistic is a story that matters.

While writing this, I am thinking of people I have known who were suffering through loss, change, and emotional pain. It is heartbreaking to know that someone can reach a place where they feel there is no way forward. I believe we can do better. We can learn to listen better, respond better, and reach people sooner.

I'm Here 2 Hear exists because lives matter. Stories matter.

People need to know they are not alone, and those who care need guidance on how to help.

It is my hope this platform becomes part of a wider movement toward empathy, understanding, and meaningful change.

I am passionate about change because I know change is possible. With compassion, courage, and the willingness to truly hear one another, we can help more people find a way forward.