Suicide.

In this post I'm going to say a lot of things that I feel need to be said and heard. 

This past week we had to read "Remembering My Childhood on the Continent of Africa" by David Sedaris, and something he said in the piece really bothered me. "None of the people who'd seen the movie seemed to care about the dead man. They stared at him for a moment or two and then headed home, saying they'd never seen anything as crazy as that talking Volkswagon." This really bugs me because this man who had committed suicide was given no thought, no recognition, nothing. The fact that people can die without anyone caring or noticing is extremely saddening to me. 

Every forty seconds someone commits suicide. This means that in the time it takes you to read this post, at least two lives have been lost. Suicide, depression, and self-harm are extremely prevalent issues that NEED to be recognized by society and all of the people suffering from them NEED help, but they can't get any if people aren't willing to reach out. 

Earlier today I conducted an experiment; I posted something on tumblr that said, "Reblog this if you think society needs to recognize what a common issue depression, self-harm, & suicide are and that they’re so much more common than most people think," and twenty-seven people reblogged it, just in a couple hours. It may seem like a small number, but that's only in a couple hours and only with my small amount of followers. Tumblr is FILLED with people who are hurting and I can't stand that so many people on there that need help that aren't getting it. 


Anyway, the point of this is, people need to know how to reach out to those suffering from depression, self-harm or suicidal thoughts because every single person on this planet has so much potential and meaning. Society needs to recognize that these are really common issues and that these people need help. Even when our school was hit with the sad news of Maddie Compton's death, aside from those who knew her, most people forgot about it a week later, just as the people walking by the dead man after the movie did. There wasn't any announcement or assembly asking kids suffering to get help, no reaching out to students to try to prevent this tragedy from happening again, nothing. I just can't stand the thought of someone killing themself and no one caring, like in the passage.

If you or anyone you know is suffering from any of these, please get help, or talk to someone. I am always available to talk to anyone who needs it, so please, if you or anyone you know needs help, please do.