Our community has the power to do something special. Something so special that it can actually save lives. And it doesn’t require doing anything more than talking. In order to live in a more empathetic society, we must all pledge to come together to live in the present and talk to one another and help those who may be struggling.
There is an elephant in the room that must be addressed: suicide rates among younger individuals between the ages of 10 and 34 are through the roof. For this demographic suicide is the second-leading cause of death. And while it is difficult to comprehend such a dramatic statistic, we need to learn from the past so that we can improve today to live in a better tomorrow.
As a teenager and high-schooler, I understand the unique challenges that society has presented to those who struggle. Teenagers and high-schoolers need the support of the community around them now more than ever. We cannot turn a blind eye to the adversities that are ubiquitous throughout this generation. In a time of mass social media and heightened levels of insincere communication, we need to recognize the negative effect that these outlets have: still more levels of insincere communication.
No matter who you may be: parent, neighbor, coach, religious leader, or just someone who has the ability and opportunity to interact with the younger generation, you have an integral role to play as part of our community.
So often we are caught up in our own lives and fail to recognize the difficulties others are dealing with. This neglect is especially consequential in this time of rapid change. We need to make a commitment to live in the present and talk to one another. Communicating our support and understanding is the only thing we can do to help curb the increased rate of mental health issues in our community and throughout society.
If you happen to have a close connection with a teenager, ask how their life is going. And if you don’t already have that connection, attempt to build one; someone will appreciate that attention. Try to keep yourself open to hearing about successes as well as conflicts, recognizing that both are equally important to personal development and growth.
And while this article is aimed at the problems facing teenagers, people at any age may need our help and support at various times. We are not a community if we don’t recognize how important we are to one another. Let’s strive towards more empathetic and authentic communication with our friends and neighbors as we seek to live in a world where hopelessness and loneliness are nothing more than short-lived experiences, not factors leading to crippling disease. Let’s be friendly and communicative…let’s be a community.
Helpful Resources
Suicide Helpline
Call:1-800-273-8255
Text: CONNECT to 741741
Bedford Youth and Family Services
Call:781-275-7727
Talk Saves Lives, a Brief Introduction to Suicide Prevention, in Bedford on Monday, November 18
Presented by Bedford Youth and Family Services in the Bedford High School auditorium from 7 to 8:30 on Monday, November 18 – Click this link to learn more, https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2019/10/talk-saves-lives-a-brief-introduction-to-suicide-prevention/
Click this link to view/print/download the event flyer.
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