Gale Carlos and her grandson Logan were as close as the stitching on the fabric she sews.

• Logan took his own life in early June
• Family looking to create awareness about mental illness
• CDC reports an increase suicide rates across the country

"Part of Logan, the outward part was smiling, protective. But we knew that there was this inside struggle and battle," said Gale Carlos, of Hamburg.

Logan was diagnosed with depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety. 

Last month, the 16-year-old Hamburg High School sophomore came home from school distraught, and threw himself off the porch of his third floor apartment. He was then rushed to ECMC.

"Oh, it's horrific. There was too much damage to Logan's brain for him to ever open his eyes or come off of the respirator. So, life as we knew it with him in a comatose state was the best we were going to get," said Carlos.

Days later, the family made the bittersweet decision to honor Logan's wishes to be an organ donor.

"A little heartwarming to know that he did help save other lives. In order for that to happen, we had to let go of Logan. No other family should go through the nightmare that we're living. And if we could prevent just one other family from having to live this, then that's a job we're willing to do," said Carlos.

To help create awareness about mental health, Logan Strong signs were placed throughout the community.

"It is very important to us that the stigma stop. That there is no shame in mental illness. That there is no shame to ask for help. And that our society change and have compassion for people," said Carlos.

"You are not alone," said Kenneth Houseknecht, Mental Health Advocates of Western New York executive director.

Local mental health experts support the family's effort.

"To encourage people to reach out for help if they personally feel like they're going through something or if they know someone who is going through something," said Houseknecht.

All of this comes at a time when the Centers for Disease Control recently released new numbers showing suicide rates are on the rise, across much of the nation.

"You may feel that no one cares, but people do. People love you, people care and there is hope," said Mark Poloncarz, (D) Erie County executive.

County leaders recently stated suicide has become a public health crisis across America.

CDC numbers show the nation's suicide rate increased 33% from 1999 to 2017, increased almost 29% in the state around the same time, and was the second leading cause of death among those 10 to 34 in 2016.

"That's why we hope that if individuals are in that situation before they do a rash act, that is the final act, they talk to someone, they call our helpline," said Poloncarz.

"Nobody wants to talk about it. But until it's talked about, but until it's attacked head-on, until it becomes an illness, just like cancer, just like a sore throat or a cold, until people are willing to work towards ending mental illness, nothing's going to change and the rates are going to continue to go up," said Carlos. 

Logan had been in counseling.

His grandmother encourages others to get help as well, as she finds the strength to share the struggles of this close-knit family.

"The more we make people aware, the people around us aware, the better chance we have of reaching out in that critical moment to stop what's going on in our head. And if that starts with a tough conversation with me and our family after a tragedy, then that's where it has to begin," said Carlos. 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline operates a 24/7 crisis hotline open to anyone looking for support at 1-800-273-8255. One can also text HOME to 741741 to have a conversation with a trained crisis counselor, or visit this website.

The 24-hour hotline for Buffalo and Erie County is 716-834-3131.