In light of the new and popular Netflix series “Thirteen Reasons Why,” which is the story of the reasons why a teenager was pushed to commit suicide, I realized how easy it was to miss the signs of self-harmful behavior and suicide.
Nobody wants to talk about suicide or depression or self-harm, so I commend the producers and author of the book the series was based on for bringing such a controversial topic into the light. Too many teens are taking or attempting to take their own lives because nobody recognized the signs.
According to teendepression.org, some of the signs of someone struggling include but are not limited to
1. Feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, restlessness, or irritability
2. Changes in appetite, mood, or sleep patterns
3. Trouble concentrating at school or work
4. Withdrawal or loss of energy
5. Headaches, backaches, stomachaches, or joint pain
6. Alternating between depression and mania, or excessive energy
7. Drug or alcohol use
8. Talking, joking, or asking about suicide or death, including statements like “Things would be better without me”
9. Giving away possessions, especially valued ones
10. Engaging in dangerous behaviors, especially those that lead to injuries or “near-misses”
11. Obsessing over death, violence, and weapons, such as in speech, television, music, games, drawings, etc.
Don’t be a bystander. If you think something is wrong, ask. Be a lifeline for someone, because as we all know from Thirteen Reasons Why, just one person can change the entire outcome. Be that person.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Self-Injury Hotline: 1-800-366-8288