One Heart at a Time: Spreading Kindness and Awareness for Suicide Prevention and Bullying Through The Peyton Heart Project
Sometimes kindness shows up in the smallest, most unexpected ways. For us, it arrived as a tiny crocheted heart — soft, simple, and carrying a message that stopped us in our tracks. That moment led us to discover The Peyton Heart Project, a nonprofit dedicated to spreading hope, raising awareness for suicide prevention, and encouraging compassion in the face of bullying.
How the Peyton Heart Project Began
The Peyton Heart Project was created in June 2015, inspired by several stories — including that of Peyton James, a 13‑year‑old middle school student from Georgetown, Texas, who died by suicide in 2014. Peyton’s story is heartbreaking, but his family’s response has become a source of hope for thousands.
They chose to honor Peyton by encouraging kindness, connection, and awareness. Volunteers around the world now crochet small hearts and attach uplifting messages to them. These hearts are left in public places for strangers to find — a gentle reminder that someone cares.
Each heart represents a moment of compassion. Each message is a reminder that no one is alone.
Why These Hearts Matter
The hearts are simple, but their impact is profound. They’re easy to make, easy to share, and easy to understand.
A heart tucked into a book, left on a park bench, or found in a school hallway can reach someone who may be struggling silently. It can spark a conversation, encourage a child to speak up, or remind someone that they matter.
Kindness is not small. It’s protective. It helps people feel connected — and connection is one of the strongest tools we have in suicide‑prevention and bullying‑prevention efforts.
How You Can Make a Difference
Small acts of kindness can change someone’s day — and sometimes, their life.
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Share a heart with someone who needs encouragement.
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Speak up when you see bullying or unkindness.
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Check in on friends who seem withdrawn or overwhelmed.
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Invite kids who are being bullied to sign your My Friends and I friendship book to show them that you care and that they have a friend and ally in you. Place a heart as a bookmark on their page for them to keep — a small reminder that someone cares.
Small actions matter. Kindness matters. Connection matters.
This is Peyton’s story — and his family’s story. And now, it’s a story we can all help carry forward.
How We Support This Mission
After learning about the project, we knew we wanted to support their mission. Today, with every My Friends and I book order, we include a Peyton Heart Project heart — a symbol of kindness that can be shared with a friend, a classmate, or anyone who might need encouragement.
Our hope is simple: To help kindness travel farther. To help conversations start sooner. To help children and families feel supported, seen, and connected.
If your child is being bullied
… talk to them.
When a child is being bullied, the most important thing you can do is open a gentle, honest conversation. Let them know you’re there to listen, without pressure or judgment. Even small changes in their mood or routine can be signs that they’re carrying more than they can express.
In his interview, Peyton's father, David, shares the story of losing his son Peyton to suicide and the journey that followed — a story filled with heartbreak, reflection, and a deep desire to help other families. One thing he said that:
“Most people who take their own lives don't want to die. But they don't know any other way. They just want the pain to go away.”
When asked what parents can do if they’re worried about their child, David explained:
“If you see changes in your child's daily routine or their behavior, talk to them. Be blunt, ask them, ‘Are you thinking about suicide, are you thinking about killing yourself?’ It’s very hard for someone to say, ‘Yes, I want to kill myself.’ But, if you open that conversation and you allow them to, that can make such a world of difference, because they realize that you care.”
These conversations can feel uncomfortable, but they show your child that you’re paying attention — and that they’re not alone.
If your child is the bully
… talk to them.
If you learn that your child is bullying others, begin with a calm, open conversation. Try to understand what’s behind the behavior — frustration, insecurity, social pressure, or something they’re struggling to express. Approaching them without judgment helps create a safe space for honesty.
Ask questions that help them reflect on how their actions affect others. Talk through kinder, more constructive ways to handle difficult social situations. Sometimes kids act out because they don’t yet have the tools to manage big feelings or complicated friendships.
Partnering with teachers or school counselors can help create a support plan. Consistent boundaries, emotional‑regulation strategies, and positive activities can guide your child toward healthier relationships. By addressing the root causes and nurturing empathy, you can help them grow into someone who treats others with respect and kindness.
Get help
Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously. If you think a friend or family member is suicidal, there’s plenty you can do to help save a life.
If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here. Call 988. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, the 988 Lifeline counselors are here for you. You are not alone.
The International Association for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to preventing suicide and suicidal behaviour and alleviating its effects.
HelpGuide.org is an independent nonprofit that runs one of the world’s leading mental health websites. Each month, millions of people from all around the world turn to us for trustworthy information they can use to improve their mental health and make healthy changes.
Life is better with friends.