*Trigger warning: This article contains content related to suicide.*
Nobody really ever thinks it will happen to them, though we often hear about it. People think this because friends, relatives, coworkers, loved ones-- "they're just always so happy." This is one of the problems with suicide; something that is so rapidly overtaking our society. In a generation filled with social media and technology, it is unsurprising to find that suicide rates are on the rise. With increasing access to social media, Internet, and technology, comes a higher change of cyber bullying. I've scrolled through way too many Instagram posts where people comment things jokingly. Although these types of comments are sarcastic and typically come from friends, they can hurt so much more than you'd imagine. Bullying- whether online or in person- is still a major problem in this world that is contributing to suicide.
The reason for this article, at this time, is because recently, a member of my church community committed suicide due to bullying. Although I was not best friends with her, she was definitely more than just a familiar face. Every Sunday in church, she would be there with a friendly smile. That smile I saw in church so many times was masking a world of suffering and misery. This tragedy tuned me in to the extreme falsities of social media. On her Instagram and Facebook pages, I consistently saw smiling pictures filled with friends. I saw hundreds of likes, fun activities, and just a few days before her death, a photo with a caption about being excited to be reunited with friends at school in the fall. Upon seeing each and every one of those photos, I never could have imagined she was anything but happy. You just never know what is going on in someone's life or in their minds, no matter what you see on the screen of your phone or computer.
This is just one tragic, heartbreaking example, among many, that we should be using to learn from and help change our actions. How many people will take their own lives before others realize that bullying is not okay? That it is, in fact, deadly? That the words "just kidding" or "it was just a joke" cannot bring someone back to life or make everything all better? My heart breaks for this young, 19-year-old woman and her family. Instead of packing up for her sophomore year of college, her family instead held a funeral. Instead of saying goodbye on move-in day, her family had to say goodbye forever.
After her passing, many friends, teammates, family members, and even old acquaintances wrote on her Facebook timeline, including myself. Each post said how sorry they were, thanking her and saying how she was such an incredible person. I can't help but wonder if she would still be alive if she had been able to read these things, or if someone had told her these things, before she took her own life.
If anything is taken from this tragedy, I wish that everyone would simply be kind to one another. Next time you think something that is negative or could potentially be hurtful, keep it to yourself. Next time you want to make a snarky joke or comment to a friend, maybe think about the lasting effect it could have. Tell someone you love them. Even if you've thought it before, say it out loud to that person. Do it today; do it right now. You never know if your words could prevent a tragedy.
For everyone reading this, there is always another way out.
Rest in peace, Sarah.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
