Keep Breathing

1. Teens & Suicide

There are so many articles out there about teenage and youth suicide I asked myself: "What

can you say that is new?" And the truth is that maybe I can share something: My thought on

the topic. Why would you read this? I used to self­harm and almost attempted suicide.

What I hope the most is that someone in that same situation read this. Loneliness is the worst

enemy, thinking we are alone, that no one is living what we do, and all those feelings and

thoughts make us think we are right. There is more people than you think going through the

same issues.

I also hope that those who fear somebody they love could be thinking about suicide

understand a little bit of what's happening in their mind. We could make the difference just

paying more attention if something isn't right.

First thing first: there are no signs. I just read a list of what people usually believe may let

them know that beloved could be thinking about killing themselves, but it's all a big lie.

However, I do consider trustworthy some factor that could indicate there's a risk, that

something isn't working the way it should:

­ Having a psychiatric disorder, maybe depression.

­ A physical or sexual abuse or exposure to violence.

­ Problems with alcohol or drugs.

­ Physical or medical issues, like becoming pregnant or having a sexually transmitted

infection.

­ Being victim of bullying.

­ Being uncertain of sexual orientation and the insecurities and fears we all know.

­ Exposure to the suicide of a family member or friend.

­ Begin adopted.

­ Family history of mood disorder or suicidal behavior.

­ Being under a lot of stress and pressure.

It's not a secret that teenagers experience high levels of stress, confusion, self­doubt, pressure

to succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up. For some of them,

divorce, the formation of a new family with step­parents and step­siblings, or moving to a

new community can be very unsettling and intensify self­doubts, so suicide may appear to be

a solution to their problems.

It's hard enough to grow up, to see everything we knew changing so fast, but add a bigger

one, something we don't have control in, to see the effect. When both inner world and the

outside collide against our will, nothing good can result.

Also, we need to remember that what really kills, the one thing that makes the real damage

and set base for these kind of disasters, is our tongue, those hurting words we often say with

no importance, not caring about what would the other person may feel or think because of

them. We all have an inner fight others don't know about, keep that in mind.

We all suffer, some in silence, others making it public, but it takes just one single phrase, one

word, to break us inside, even more when we are so young and are dealing with many things

at the same time because nobody has written instructions to live, and nobody will.
I have been dealing with depression since I was 15 years old, and some others factor of that

list, so maybe those you care about may look fine on the outside, but keep an eye if you

notice there's something strange in their behavior, because there's a really big difference

between changing habits and changing ourselves.

What we say, what we do, what makes us who we are and gives us personality, that's what

you have to pay attention for. When you see a change so big it makes you think 'he/she

wasn't this way before' it's time for a talk.

Who are the best allies to prevent any tragedy? Not the family, but friends, and the closer

they are, the better. I say this because there are times when teens don't trust their own family;

I know it because I didn't do it at that age, and it's not said in vain that friends are the family

we choose.

Don't push them too far, don't make them do what they don't want, because there are limits

you don't want to cross so both of you can be safe. Let them know you are with them, that

you will hear them, support them in any case, and you're there for them to be a help. Try to

get them out of that dark room they are enclosed.

We spend more time with people of our age, people we know from a long time ago, those we

have learned to trust and that have lived so many things with us that it doesn't seem difficult

for me to say this, and I know there are more like me out there. For those, I just want you to

know:

1. Do not be afraid. We are who we are, we were born this way, we are fireworks, and if

you don't identify those lyrics, do a little search on youtube. The world is changing,

people is changing, and although sometimes life hurts so bad you think you cannot

handle it, keep fighting, because there's something great waiting for you once you

defeat those bloody demons.

2. It is completely okay to suffer, we are not made of stone, but do not hurt yourself.

Cutting, burning, and harming your own body in any way would just make it all

worse and harder to overcome. Do you think you deserve that? After all you've done?

I don't think so. Cry, scream, get rid of that mess you have writing, painting, dancing,

start a new sport, but never give up, ever.

3. Speak, look for help. Friends, family, professionals, but silence will always be the

worst of all options. We are our own enemies in those moments, you cannot and

should not trust yourself while you feel that way. I know what it feels like, that you

are bothering people, that they would make fun of you and won't take it seriously, but

do it, there are some that could really surprise you. You are not alone, at all.

Written by@AlanDD