Isabella M Rozario

I am sure that many of us here complain about our lives on a regular basis.  We whine about how our parents didn’t buy us a new smartphone or laptop, we whine about how pressurising exams are and so on. Probably, the most we will do is put up a fight with our parents or sever all ties with friends for a short while to deal with the situation. Nevertheless, there are actually some amongst us who think that their lives are so worthless that they choose to end it. They actually feel so down that they think their existence is a curse itself. Yes, there are many teens who commit or at least attempt suicide.
 According to available data, about 28 youngsters commit suicide everyday.  Victims are mostly young women. A leading cause for it is cyber bullying. It is an unfortunate phenomenon where a woman is exposed on social media and driven to her own death by society.
Another cause for suicide is depression. During adolescence, a person seems to be going through a delicate phase of doubt and self-deprecation. They are vulnerable to every blow inflicted upon them by life and thus, they get easily depressed about the smallest of issues. There are a myriad of other reasons for depression, including loneliness, physical or mental abuse and so on. These can engender suicidal tendencies.
There are some symptoms before suicide. The most salient one is constant anxiety and despondency. Other symptoms are resorting to self-destructive activities, for example, doing drugs or cutting oneself. A suicidal person sometimes gives some vague hints, for example, he or she will talk about how they seek relief from life or how they want to desert everything. Sadly though, these symptoms usually go unnoticed by family and friends.
As a society, we should be ashamed of ourselves that there are actually youngsters, who have an entire life ahead of themselves, who choose to kill themselves. Most of it is our fault as a whole. Let’s recall that one moment when we bullied or mocked someone, or when we didn’t show sympathy when a girl was hurt on social media, but instead, continued to shame her. Let’s recall that moment when we joked about a person, most probably about his or her looks, family condition or preferences. Now, let’s reflect on our actions and think about all the feelings we have hurt.  Our indifference probably tore someone apart completely. Let’s just endeavour to sympathise, instead of criticise. The next time whenever we see someone getting bullied or hurt, let’s stand by them. We would be saving a lot of lives that way.
As for a suicidal person, they can always consult loved ones or seek professional help if need be. Every life matters. There are both bliss and evil in life, but we have to learn to overcome all those. In the end, one needs more courage to live than to kill oneself, as Nobel Prize-winning author Albert Camus once said.