We've all been there before: A friend or loved one feels down, maybe even depressed, but we're not sure how to raise the subject. Will it offend them? Could it make them feel worse?

Those fears might convince us that staying silent is the best bet, but a new campaign called Seize the Awkward wants to help people get past such concerns so they can provide support to someone who may really need it.

An awkward silence can actually be a perfect moment to reach out to a friend and ask if they're OK, if they seem down. Starting the conversation now could stop something much worse from happening later on.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death in the United States among people ages 15 to 24. That statistic helped prompt an effort among the organizations to develop a unique campaign that targets teens and young adults and delivers information about risk factors for suicide, as well as tips for how to support someone experiencing emotional and psychological distress.

Read the full article on Seize the Awkward by Rebbeca Ruizat Mashable