WE SURVIVED!
Don't Miss Out!—President, Emotional Health Specialist, and Suicide Prevention Advocate—Laneen A. Haniah, pictured with her son and Vice President, Judah Haniah.
Our Backstory
THE SEED
As an organization we are in our infancy, but Don’t Miss Out! has been in the making since July 1993, when our founder first attempted suicide at 18. We often discover our purpose in our pain, and this was certainly the case for Laneen Haniah. After quietly suffering seven failed suicide attempts—the last occurring in November 2017—Laneen was prompted to commit herself to her mental and emotional healing. This was a private effort for the next several years.
THE DECISION
On May 21, 2021, everything would change. It was the day Laneen learned that her 18-year-old son Judah had attempted suicide and intended to finish what he’d started! She recalls frantically dialing the Georgia Crisis and Access Line for help, not knowing if they’d be able to intervene on time. Thankfully, Laneen got her son the aid he needed, but she knew from her own experience that recovery would be a long road.
Laneen was no stranger to suicidal depression when her son attempted suicide. In fact, it was only because of her own history that she even knew, since his method of choice was the same method she used for her first attempt, 27 years earlier! Her son’s mental health crisis was an eye-opener. Because she had kept her multiple suicide attempts hidden, Laneen felt like her silence had nearly contributed to her son's untimely death. It was then that she decided she would no longer “heal in silence”.
Laneen was no stranger to suicidal depression when her son attempted suicide. In fact, it was only because of her own history that she even knew, since his method of choice was the same method she used for her first attempt, 27 years earlier! Her son’s mental health crisis was an eye-opener. Because she had kept her multiple suicide attempts hidden, Laneen felt like her silence had nearly contributed to her son's untimely death. It was then that she decided she would no longer “heal in silence”.
THE ACTIVATION
Laneen immediately opened up to her close loved ones about her longtime secret battle with suicidal depression, but she wouldn’t begin “healing out loud” until she published her personal memoir in September 2022; a book entitled, “Suicidal Love: The Kiss That Shattered My Soul". Inspired by her courage, Laneen’s son wanted to share his story as well, and chose to do so through his music. Laneen and her son Judah then made history, as the first ever mother/son hip-hop duo! Under their artist names, SouLah the Legend and Nevai, they released a song and heart-warming music video to encourage others.
THE LAUNCH
Their music project gained the attention of a nationally syndicated TV show, landing them an appearance. After the publishing of her book and the airing of their TV interview, the demand for information on emotional health and suicide prevention became clear. Desperate parents and silent sufferers reached out to Laneen for help, at an alarming rate. That is when she was inspired to make her mission official, by launching the Inspired Legacy Store and the Don’t Miss Out! website—to offer products and services and to promote crowdfunding.
Since then, President and founder of Don’t Miss Out!, Laneen Haniah, has teamed up with her son, Vice President Judah Haniah, to incorporate their organization and obtain 501c3 tax exempt status.
THE FUTURE
The team here at Don’t Miss Out! is looking forward to the world-wide impact we will make as an organization, as we educate others on emotional health and spread awareness about suicide prevention. Don’t Miss Out! is like a young child, with a wise old soul. We may have just arrived on the scene, but we’ve been here for a long time—and we’re definitely here to stay!!!