Life throws us curve balls and tests us and keeps us on our toes. Many of us have the coping mechanisms to deal with these challenges, but some of us struggle to find the courage to face them. Mental health plays a crucial part in this equation. In the past two years, Sarnia has seen close to ten teen suicides. For whatever reason, these young people felt that they could not handle the stress of life's challenges and decided the only way was to say goodbye... This breaks my heart. Life for a teenager is hard enough as is, let alone adding bullying and mental health. Something HAS to be put in place to help these students cope with life. They need to know that it gets better and there are available outlets to help them. We need to provide these outlets within the schools. I truly believe that every school should have full time counsellors and that it should be MANDATORY that every student sees them at least once a week. By incorporating it into students schedules, no one feels singled out or embarrassed to seek the help.
I also believe that we all have the power to help. Reach out to someone if they seem down. Give compliments to strangers. Hold doors open. Smile as you walk by someone. Talk to the people around you. I believe that we have the power to save a life! I remember the story of the little boy who took all his books home from school one day. On his way home, he trips and drops them all. Another boy helps him collect them and walks them home with him. That day, a life was saved! The boy who cleaned out his locker had no intention of waking up the next day. But a simple gesture convinced him that his life was worth living.
Be kind to people. Go out of your way to give a compliment. Tell the people around you, how important they are to you. Life is fragile but love and support can be the glue to keep it from shattering. Be someones hero! Save a life!
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