I know this is a hard topic to talk about, but I feel the need to say this. Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard of three different situations where there’s been a teen suicide.

It makes me sad.

It makes me feel sick.

I can’t even imagine the pain felt by each of these children who took such drastic action. I didn’t know any of the teens who took their own lives, but it doesn’t really matter. I cried when I heard the news. Each time my heart broke.

They have parents they left behind. Sisters and brothers they left behind. A life they left behind.

We ask “why,” we wonder if anything could have been done to prevent such drastic actions, we question if there were signs. Were these unnecessary deaths preventable?

Teen suicide is something I hear about more and more frequently.

I don’t know if it’s always been there and because of technology and social media, we hear about it more often. I don’t know if it’s the impossible pressure society puts on today’s teens. We ask a lot of our teens and almost expect them to be perfect.

School demands. Athletic pressures. Social stresses. Financial worries. I know it’s a lot for them to juggle.

If you’re a teenager reading this, I want you to pay attention to what I’m about to say: there is no situation or instance where taking your life is a solution. Committing suicide is NOT the answer.

It doesn’t matter if your grades suck.

It doesn’t matter if you get rejected from every college you apply to.

It doesn’t matter if the love of your life breaks up with you.

Whatever is going on in your life, you can figure out a way to get through it. Talk to your parents. Talk to your school counselor. Talk to your Priest or Rabbi. Find a teacher at your school. There are always people who care, who want to help you, and who are there for you. Ask for help if you need it.

Don’t pretend everything is fine if it isn’t actually fine.

And parents, pay attention to the teenagers in your life. Check in with them and talk to them. Really find out what’s going on in their lives. Make sure if they say they’re “fine,” they really are “fine.”And no matter what, love them through whatever they’re dealing with. Unconditionally.

Life can be hard, especially if you’re a teenager, but let’s send the message that teen suicide is never the answer. Feel free to share this with the teenager in your life. I don’t think they can hear it enough.

Find meaning each day,

Dara

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