Martial Arts studio raises awareness about suicide

Posted By: Rachael Miner

rminer@klkntv.com

It’s a tragedy no parents wants to go through.

"There’s just no way I could wrap my head around how his mom and dad must feel because there were no warning signs," said Daniel Longoria, owner of Longoria’s Black Belt Academy. 

At just 18 years old Michael Kuta was a freshman at UNL, he held a black belt in taekwondo, and dreamed of becoming a doctor.

On Christmas Eve last year he took his own life.

"It kind of just brought to home how prevalent it is out there and how it can happen to any family. I think everybody says the same thing as us, no way I can’t believe this could happen, I can’t believe this person would have done that it was just like there was no warning signs," Longoria said. 

Longoria spent several years as Michael’s taekwondo instructor.

On Saturday he held a special board breaking ceremony in Michael’s honor.

As students went down the line breaking boards fellow classmates rooted them on with a special cheer, "ATA Michael!"

Each board that was broken raised money for The Yellow Ribbon project, a suicide prevention program.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 10 to 35 years-old in the U.S..

The Yellow Ribbon Project says events like these help make talking about a tough subject a little easier, "The more we do events like this it raises that awareness level and reduces the stigma," said Chris Hansen, with the program.

While emotional, Michael’s family was grateful for the support and say it’s a heartbreak they hope they can help others avoid.

"There’s something I can do. I can be a voice, I can be a link, and I can let people know its OK to ask for help," Hansen said.

The board breaking ceremony raised over $3,000 for The Yellow Ribbon Project. 

All that money will stay here in Lincoln and work to let people know suicide is not the answer.