*Content Warning: Suicide and Depression. Please read, comment, and share respectfully*

Recently, I heard someone say that suicide has become too open, too common, too...trendy.

Trendy? Excuse me?

I guess I never thought of death as a trend. Let alone when someone has gotten so low in their life that they decide to end it.

I agree that perhaps my generation has become more open about suicide and depression than the generations before us, but not too open. If anything, I'm not sure if we are open enough about it.

There have been many times where our society has taken serious situations and placed them on the back burner. Hidden them from those who need to know these problems actually do exist. Hidden from those who need the help most. Suicide is one of those issues that especially older generations tend to hide.

How many times have you heard of a high school or even college kid take their own life due to stress and/or bullying this past year? Too many. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death for middle school through college age students. We also hear that these schools had "some sort of suicide prevention program" in place, but how "in place" were they? How "in place" were their anti-bullying policies? How seriously did the schools take the stress of the loved one? It seems people, especially schools, only try harder only after a student has taken their life.

But there aren't only teen and young adult suicides. Many older adults also take their own lives. Where are the suicide prevention programs for them? Why don't we have some in place in the offices? On work sites? Their lives matter just as much.

Perhaps the older adults find it harder to find someone to reach out to about their depression or their thoughts because of how quiet they're "supposed" to keep these things. My generation generally talks openly about depression, anxiety, or even suicidal thoughts or attempts. Perhaps this is because we have the internet at our fingertips with no filter. But I like to believe it's because we have noticed the severity of damage that can be caused when things are kept silent. And nothing is more severe than death.

*If you or a loved one need help or support, please call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255*