Suicide not the answer

Swag Mama
Death is a natural conclusion to our life on earth though it is always sad and especially heartbreaking when it happens to a young person. The grief for those left behind is multiplied when a person decides to end their own life.

A rising number of teens seem to be choosing to commit suicide. As a mother and a friend to teens I am personally saddened by this development.

It tells me that too many young people have no one to turn to. It means that they see no other way out except to end their lives.

I would like to say to each and every one of you that no matter how bad things appear, suicide is not the answer. Look at it from this point of view; if things are really bad then they cannot get worse and therefore will only get better.

The most important advice I

can share is that you must never suffer in silence. Reach out to someone. Even if the only help they can give you is a shoulder to cry on or an ear to

listen, believe me, it will make you feel better.

After a good vent you will gain the strength to carry on. Depression is an illness and if you constantly feel blue, then seek help from friends, relatives, church mates and medical personnel if necessary.

Life is never a smooth path. Everyone faces challenges at some point. Be prepared to take the good and the bad in whatever ratio they come to you.

Remember that we are not defined by what happens to us but by how we react to it. Therefore when people do things to you, tell yourself that you will not jump to their commands.

Imagine that in life there are those who play the drum and those who dance to the rhythm. If you are always guided by influences outside you then you are one of the dancers and will never be in control of your life. But if you listen to your own inner drum, then the music will never stop and no matter what happens in your life, you will always be dancing.

In the same manner life is not fair and we all have to suck that up. So do not spend your time and energy indulging in a pity party asking why certain things only seem to happen to you and no one else. Just decide to deal with it.

One of the most important life skills that you will ever need is that of problem solving. That means when you are swamped, you must take a step back and look at the situation as if it is happening to someone else.

Have you ever noted how we seem to always have the answers to the problems in everyone else’s lives? Imagine that your challenges are being faced by your friend and imagine what advice you would give them.

Emotions make us who we are as people. But we should not let them rule our lives. So while it is okay to feel sad, angry, depressed and even hatred at times, we must not let such negativity become who we are. We should learn to let go fast.

On the other hand we should also remember that we are all our brother and sister’s keeper. So look out for your siblings and friends. Do they look unhappy? Do they talk of dying? Do they miss school, change personality and become different people?

If you have reason to suspect that someone is unhappy, reach out and offer your support. That small gesture may be all it takes to save a life. Whatever the problem may be, suicide is not the answer.