CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As communities mourn the loss of Cheslie Kryst, a former Miss North Carolina and Miss USA, mental health advocates are urging people to educate themselves on how they can help others.

Advocate Fonda Bryant says Kryst’s death highlights the struggle so many people go through.

What You Need You Know

Fonda Bryant is a suicide survivor

She has dedicated her life to teaching others about mental health

She encourages everyone to take a suicide prevention training course

Bryant says she doesn’t want anyone to have to go through it alone, which is why she has dedicated her life to teaching others about mental health challenges through the QPR suicide prevention online class.

 “The best thing to moving forward is education, and also treating people with empathy, compassion and kindness," Bryant said.

Bryant says since Kryst’s death over the weekend, she has already had a number of people sign up for the course.

For anyone struggling with mental illness, you can contact the NAMI helpline at 1-800-950-6264.