In light of what has been dubbed the "teen suicide crisis" in Woodstock, I asked my niece to share her story of hope. We need to continue building positive momentum. Here is Sarina's story of hope:
"Even if you can't see it, you never know what tomorrow might bring..."
I am 17 years old and I am still a teenager in high school. The other day my aunt asked me a few questions about teen suicides. Why is it so bad? Do I see suicide as an option?
If she asked me three months ago, I would have said yes.
I started feeling insecure about myself, people would say things that would hurt my feelings. They would say nasty things about me behind my back. I didn't really have anyone to talk to at school because I tried not to socialize that much, I couldn't really talk to my parents because they are always working or they just don't know what to say. My parents try to help me the best they can but they don't realize that they pressure me into things I actually don't want to do, but I do them anyways because it makes them happy.
So about the only one I could talk to was my boyfriend at the time. But what I didn't know is he didn't really care, he broke my heart into pieces. He tore us apart; and after the damage had been done, he treated me like I was nothing to him. Rumors were going around, lies about me. There was even a lie that I was a drug dealer and cops questioned me. After that I had had enough I didn't know what to do.
I cried myself to sleep every night barley even slept. Arguing going on at home. I thought to myself if I was gone maybe the arguing would stop, the rumors, the pain, everything.
But after failing at my attempt, I realized the look on my family's face. The worry, the hurt. I realize that just because I might be ending my hurt and pain I'm causing others the same thing. I cannot put someone I love into that kind of pain. I said to myself I am going to change, I won't let these things bring me down. I will fight I will stand up for myself I am going to stop letting people walk all over me. Even though I thought that there was no hope on anything getting better.
There will always be hope even if there is just a little, you can't let go of all hope all positive things it could lead to something amazing something that makes you smile all hours of the day. Things will be tough but have faith, realize that suicide is not an option at all. Think of the smallest bit of hope you have in your life focus on that. Stop telling yourself lies; you are amazing and you are capable of turning a bad situation into something fantastic. Be the stronger person.
"There is something great something wonderful waiting for you don't let that go." My response now to the question, do you see suicide as an option is No! It is not an option, ending the pain and hurt can and will happen and your whole life will change. You'll be inspired, you'll be happy, you will be proud you didn't do it. Suicide is permanent it will leave alot of people that care about you that you don't notice in alot of pain and wonder their who life what did they do wrong. Could have they helpped? Then you will leave them with the same pain.
"Think big, think of what could happen and imaging what you could accomplish in life."