FeatImage40.jpg curaJOY

A person in need

A few months ago, I was consoling a friend who had recently lost all her companions, been shunned out of school, and had rumors spread about them for just being themselves. Since COVID-19 quarantine was still going on, we could only communicate through text. She was thinking of suicide and I was just there, peppering her with reasons why she shouldn’t go, constantly spamming her phone until she would text back to reassure me this was okay. I felt her pain through the blue screen, though I couldn’t hear her sobs. After an hour, she gradually calmed down. After my mother had brought up her website’s new contest, Shining Moments, I decided to enter this story in with her permission.

Clarissa Shen Avatar

Responses to “A person in need”

  1. Caitlyn Wang Avatar
    Caitlyn Wang

    Your friend must trust you a lot to confide in you, and yes, people in crisis often just want an understanding ear. Being a confidante can be a heavy burden, especially in a serious matter like suicidal thinking.

    For the age group of 5-25, suicide is actually the second cause of death, and it affects people regardless of their wealth, intelligence, appearance or achievement. A person may seem to have it all but be dying on the inside.

    When kids confide in their peers about thoughts of suicide, do those peers have the ability or resources to truly help? Should they live with the consequences should their friends commit suicide?

    Psychologist and counselors go through 5-8 more years of education and training after college to become qualified to provide treatment, and they must continue their education in order to remained licensed.

    If a friend calls you up about a debilitating tooth ache, would you talk her through it alone or would you refer her to a dentist? Giving people who need help the proper help and encouraging them to seek help is the right thing to do because their lives are precious and you care about them enough to protect their lives. 💓

    Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

    Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis counseling. Parents don’t have to be involved.

  2. biancamjshen Avatar
    biancamjshen

    Are you sure that your friend was going to commit suicide?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Touched by what you read? Join the conversation!

  • What Do You Seek?
    What Do You Seek?

    Quest [ kwest ] noun 1. a search or pursuit made in order to find or obtain something: a quest for uranium mines; a quest for knowledge. 2.Medieval Romance, an adventurous expedition undertaken by a knight or knights to secure or achieve something: the quest of the Holy Grail. verb to search; seek; pursue. (often…

    Read more >> about What Do You Seek?

  • The Ultimate Quest Of Your Life
    The Ultimate Quest Of Your Life

    Do you like being forced to do things you hate? Being left out of the fun you enjoy? What about not having enough money to ever take your dream vacations? Have you ever envied other people who seem to have perfect lives? You probably won’t end up anywhere nice if you don’t know where you’re…

    Read more >> about The Ultimate Quest Of Your Life

  • The Burden of the Female Caretaker Instinct
    The Burden of the Female Caretaker Instinct

    One in five women struggles with mental health issues like anxiety and depression. According to the World Happiness Report 2021, 28% of respondents reported experiencing burnout. Many reasons for seeking or avoiding help are universal to all populations, but there is a definite gender disparity in how women tend to their emotional wellness. Women – who…

    Read more >> about The Burden of the Female Caretaker Instinct