M Abeo (they/them) is a Mental Health Advocate, TEDx Speaker, Podcast host, Producer and Photographer from Seattle, Washington. In 2017 M started the Faces of Fortitude project: A portrait series documenting the images and stories of people touched by suicide in any way, be it loss, attempt or first responders. The project initially began as a side project to help M in their own healing of losing their only brother to suicide when he was just 26. In just 5 years it has grown into a body of work that shows resilience and fortitude of the human spirit, as well as the light and joy that can be found in the darkest of moments. Their goal is to create communities of survivors across the globe that understand the importance and power hidden in the act of difficult conversations and sharing our stigmatized stories - in the hopes of creating a system of mutual-healing. M is currently working on 2 books and a new gallery exhibit entitled, The Faces of Fortitude Experience.