There are many tragic and unexpected deaths. Why do you think suicide wreaks such havoc on the lives of those left behind?

My mother did die of cancer, and it was a long, lingering bout with lung cancer. I never said to myself, “I’m going to cure cancer.” That was not a fantasy that I had. With suicide there is this belief that you can make a change, and there are suicide hotlines and ways to help people. You don’t need to be a surgeon or a scientist to intervene and help someone who is struggling with depression. You are left with the thought that maybe I can be the one who’s going to help my sister, and I’m going to find the right words to say or the right way to make her happy.

How did you find the strength to make a movie about this?

The movie did wreck me. I was driven. I was obsessed and maybe in an unhealthy way I had to go through it. It’s really scary how dark I went, but I feel really grateful that I’m on the other side. I’m still dealing with it. It’s not like I’m all better. But now there are no more boogey monsters. I’ve read every journal. I’ve seen every date book. I’ve seen every pill bottle. It’s not as terrifying to me.

What do you hope people will get from the film?

What I am really hoping is that people who see the film feel like it’s for other people like me. It’s for people who were left behind and who were so alone that when they walk down the street they feel like a Martian and nobody can understand what they are feeling. I hope they feel less alone by seeing someone else who has experienced the same thing. I hope that people who love people who have lost someone to suicide will understand there’s no time limit to the pain. Just be patient with the person that is still in mourning. All you can really do is listen and be there. Don’t try to pretend it didn’t happen. Don’t not talk about it. It’s the not talking about it that keeps us all isolated and sad. If people go home or go out to dinner and talk about the film, that to me is an incredible success.