I know it is very random of me but I actually had a reason to be posting today. I was looking through my Facebook feed and lately I have seen many things that have disturbed me. Now I have no really right climb onto my little soapbox and lecture. But I have seen this type of thing seemingly grow outrageously fast these past few months. I really only took a keen notice of it lately. What is it you may be asking? Or you are yelling at me to get on with it. Anyway....
This, or something eerily similar to this, has been become a more and more popular post for young adults and teens to share. I see the like sometimes on my younger cousins posts. But wait. There is more.
My real question is... WHEN THE HECK DID IT BECOME OKAY TO NORMALIZE THOUGHTS OR AMBITIONS LIKE THESE! People find amusement in this. People are agreeing with this and are envious of comments like these. Is it the next new thing to nonchalantly say you want to kill yourself or would rather be dead and NO ONE try to help? It is just like, "Cool story bro."? Is it cool to tell people you would rather be dead? WHY AREN'T PEOPLE TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY?! There has been a rise of depression and anxiety in the youth. Do we just shrug it off and say they are trying to get attention? Is it really harmful to have an honest talk about what that person may be feeling to have a comment like that? WHEN ARE WE AS A SOCIETY GOING TO START TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR EXTREME LACK OF EMPATHY OR CARING! We throw everyone who is not perfect or seemingly so, into a box and just leave them there, casually throwing in leaflets of "help" to be perceived to be caring.
"Oh, there is a lot of help available." Yeah, there is. But it does no good to just toss this information out with no real intent to follow through with interest. Schools are quick to advise a person to take pills or spew the "it is just a phase" rhetoric. It is rare for real help or empathy to be given.
And parents, how are we not seeing this? I am not saying we should read their diaries or stalk their social media. But some healthy observation of what is being posted on a public social site is necessary.
OK. Rant over.
It disturbs me to see this becoming common. It is like youth, in general, are being swept away into the vast see socially acceptable nonsense. Like they are lost in world of flickering lights. So many are light and then are extinguished that it becomes a jumble.
We all need to pay attention. This time of year usually shows a spike in suicide attempts and successes. It is never a welcomed gift.
