Carmelo wrote

I lost a cousin to suicide a month ago. While he appeared to be happy on the exterior, he was clearly hurting inside. People need to talk when they don't feel right. Wish I would have noticed. Unfortunately I cant go back. Lots of questions

Elizabeth Harper wrote

Suicide is an act of social critique. Teenagers imagine growing up to be adults whose only choice is to play a role and be complicit in an irrational, brutal world going to crap. And they choose suicide instead.

Joanne Bartella wrote

Their parents have failed them, they themselves products of a society that has become focused on too many negative things. No one wants to put in the time to teach their kids life lessons anymore, they expect others to do it, like schools.

Ruth Verbree wrote

I agree with Moses Jackson! We need to teach them coping skills, but also give them hope for the future. That's always the big question. I think there is hope and purpose in the Bible, to have a meaningful relationship with our Creator.

Moses Jackson wrote

There are alot of stressors affecting teenagers. Confusion about sexuality, bullying, self esteem, rejection, depression, uncertainty about the future etc. Substance abuse can exacerbate problems. We have to teach them coping skills.

Jatziri Marin wrote

Well schools should help a lot in these things not call their parents but actually have programs for people who self harm people who have been raped and for people who are going through any kind of abus.

Tiffany Orton wrote

I believe it has to do with the mainstream use of social media. There is no escaping from issues such as bullying because everyone is connected 24/7.

Nick Tuono wrote

Helping others defines us, keeps us in the present moment, dulls our sad thoughts and rumination and gives us a purpose. Well said by J Edwards!!

Colin Verbree wrote

"Without purpose life is abismal" - wow, so true J Edwards.

J Edwards wrote

We forgot to teach our kids that they are the light at the end of the tunnel for some one else. Suicide leaves those who are counting on you in the dark with no guide. Without purpose life is abismal and there is no more important purpose..

Carmelo wrote

the pressures and images that are conveyed through advertising and social media make it difficult for teens to accept themselves for who they are. A person needs to be comfortable with themselves especially during the vital teenage years.

Jb wrote

The way society and all forms of media glorifies celebrities, success, consumerism and 'beauty' must have a detrimental affect on the self worth of many teens at the most impressionable stage of anyone's life.

Colin Verbree wrote

even though the world is smaller, I think it is actually growing farther apart because of social media.. Kid's don't learn how to socially interact anymore - they keep staring at their phones, which causes problems later in life

Brad Davidson wrote

Our world is so much smaller today and yes due to social media everyone is so concerned with being connected. Leads to unneccesary stress

Colin Verbree wrote

I think social media and "being connected" is ruining the world today. It is creating a lack of REAL-LIFE sociability, which in turn creates isolation, depression, anxiety, etc