Trigger warning: Suicide.

House of Payne is often fun and games, but sometimes things get heavy. In this episode,

CJ is dealing with the suicide of one of his youngest recruits. It’s hitting him hard because the young man was the same age as Malik and had a bright future ahead of him.

CJ is pensive and sullen, thinking about his own children, but Ella gives him good advice: to talk to them and ensure they know he’s there for them.  Later, he gathers Jasmine and Malik to tell them what happened and ask if they ever considered committing suicide. Malik says that he never has, but Lisa once told him that she thought about killing herself at one point, and Jasmine is oddly quiet, neither answering yes or no. Either way, CJ assures them that he’s there for them.

On a more lighthearted side storyline, Miranda stops by to hang out with Ella and lament her dating woes. Things didn’t work out with the doctor we met last episode, and Miranda is already starting to lose hope in online dating. Miranda is ready to get married again. Ella reminds her that it wasn’t all peachy keen when she married Calvin but that she will find love again eventually.

Later on, Jasmine, Malik, and Calvin have a conversation about mental health. Calvin opens up about times he has struggled, and Jasmine admits that she was ashamed to mention it when she was chatting with her pops and didn’t want her dad to worry. This motivates her to talk to her father and keep it real about what she has been through. CJ assures her that she never has to worry about overburdening him and that he will always be there for her. They also mention that their faith plays a role in helping them through dark times, too, and there is the gist of the entire episode: You don’t have to suffer alone.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.