Teen Bullying Epidemic

Jan 19, 12

Everyone knows that bullying is a growing problem among school aged children in schools in the United States.  As public school serve more diverse communities, and people of many different ethnic, racial, socio-economic, and religious backgrounds find themselves in tight quarters for long periods of time, young people tend to gang up more and to make themselves feel better at the expense of putting down students they feel are different from themselves.

Recovery

Jan 16, 12

Losing someone is never an easy thing to deal with, loosing them in an act of suicide often amplifies that reaction, because they are often undetected and sudden. The road to recovery is long and bumpy, but there are some things that you can do to help make it a little bit smoother.

Recently at a high school there have been two suicides in one school year. High school can be one of the best times in your life, but it can also be one of the hardest. There is constantly something working against you. For some students that are focused highly on their life after high school, the pressure of academic success becomes overwhelming to the point that they finally crack in one way or another. Other students focus on sports of popularity. Those are the ones that feel as though they are never good enough. The competition to be at the top of the roster and school puts a lot of pressure on vulnerable teenagers. When you throw love and hormones into this high school concoction, you are bound to have a chance result.  While many people remember high school as one of the best times in their lives, some get caught up in life and can’t find a way out. What many high school students that commit suicide don’t realize is how much they matter to the people around them.

At this high school one student in particular had a huge impact on the school. He wasn’t the most popular, wasn’t in any sports or clubs, he was a good, quiet student that has a funny side once you got to know him. When he made the choice to remove himself from this world he had no idea the impact that it would have not only on his family and friends, but the entire school. Every person that was in a class with him had to stare at an empty seat. Everyone that walked past him in the halls on a daily basis noticed his absence, even people that knew only of his name were grieving over the loss of a classmate.

It’s important to realize that everyone matters, everyone is noticed. The road to recovery for these students wasn’t easy. There were tears shed in classrooms not only by the students, but by the teachers. They wrote his name on their hands in his favorite colors, they made bracelets in  his honor that they sold to raise money for his family. They made banners encouraging others to take a stand against suicide in the hopes that it would never strike again.

While no one wants to go through something that needs recovery, at some point everyone must go through it in their own way. When you are recovering its important to sick with the people that you love and grieve in your own way. It also helps to fight to prevent others from going through what you have. Stand together and recover.

It’s Time To Heal

Sep 16, 11

There is nothing harder for a teen than having to face their lives alone.  Sometimes a teen might be in a room full of love and laughter and still feel cold and alone.  Depression, hurt, angst, and hatred can occupy so much of a teen’s existence, and sadly family members choose to ignore it or are too naive to see it.

Bullying

Aug 10, 11

Schools aren’t like they used to be. Not everyone is friends and in many situations children don’t get along at all. These problems lead to bullying. Bullying is one of the top ranking reasons for attempted and successful suicide. Don’t allow others to force the, ‘oh it’s okay the are just joking around’ way of thinking on you.