Once upon a time, I was a troubled teen. I remember what it was like. I had attempted several times at suicide, to no avail. Today, life is a little better and I've learned to cope with things differently. I also know not to judge a person. People don't really know what goes on in a person's mind, in their life. Walk a day in their shoes, I guarantee you, you'll give back their shoes.
It's very sad to know how high the percentage rate of suicide this time of year. It escalates during the holidays. I also know, in my experience, that most AA sobriety dates are in the months of December and January.
Thank you for posting the stories. I try to feel gratitude on a daily basis.

Posted: Dec 24, 2007

Ed,
Thank you for posting this. I hope many teens read it; and if it prevents even one suicide, then you have been successful.
And yes, I thoroughly agree - serving others without conditions is the best abtidote to depression....to love our neighbor as ourselves...has always been healthy.

Posted: Dec 26, 2007

I can empathize with this story on so many levels, having been on both sides of the situation, both a friend to a severely depressed individual and suffering from it myself. For those close friends around him, I know that powerlessness in the face of another human that you feel morally and physically responsible for carries you to a nadir little can match. And as for the young man himself, success is a perception of society, and rarely reflects the internal workings of the individual. I have struggled against depression and suicide throughout my teenage life, yet from an outside perspective, save one or two close friends, no one would have or has been the wiser.

Posted: Dec 27, 2007

Very well written. I wish you well and God Bless. Lisa

Posted: Dec 29, 2007

Such a sad story, Ed. The grief of the community, especially his friends, made the article very hard to read. A number of years ago, we received a call about a friend's son we knew well who also had everything to live for....a loving family, was a great sailor and who shared that love with his dad. As a teenager, on his way back from the store after picking up a part for his car, he stepped in front of a train. I'll never forget the feeling of loss, not so much for myself, but for what his mother and father felt as he was their only child. The family has never recovered fully. Yes, thinking of and doing things for others must save some from a similar fate but I don't think it's that simple as it's such a complex problem. Tyler Mitchell's comment is so relative as often those around the person don't see the storm that is brewing inside. Annie

Posted: Dec 31, 2007

after shifting through peoples writing, this really touched me. To post something strong enough to show emotional teens that yes, people care about them, makes me happy. I used to be suicidal, dreaming of jumping out windows, but to see this, it really is something brave to post. Good job and have a great New Year :))
XxRxX

Posted: Jan 1, 2008

Someone close to me has a son who tried to attempt suicide by jumping from a bridge. He was blessed to have people care enough to convince him to get down from the bridge. It really saddens me that some people feel as though this is the only way out. This was a very touching story and it will help so many who are going through things in their lives.

Posted: Jan 3, 2008

thank you so much for posting this. i have to show some of my friends that i have talked out of suicide. my best friend ended up in the hospital twice from trying to OD on pain meds. i remember crying so much i couldnt breathe

Posted: Jan 6, 2008

moving ****

Posted: Feb 12, 2008

Nice story. I liked it. Keep it up ;)

Posted: Jun 3, 2008

Hi Ed

This was a good read indeed. So sad though... About ten years ago, my uncle comitted suicide by hanging himself at his business. NO one had an idea of what he was planning to do. What upset me was that during the funeral a lot of people offered their help financially etc. Why could they not be so generous while he was still alive? In another case: A boy that was in matric with my brother rode his car into a bridge after a night out with his friends. He wasn't very popular in school but after his death the hall was filled with crying children. My brother was his friend and knew him quite well. NO one understood or knew about the pain that boy had to go through everyday.

I just think that if everyone takes a minute of their time each day to ask someone how they are doing , suicides won't be the only option.....

Please comment on my writing....

Posted: Jun 5, 2008

as a teeneager i was under pressure to perform well in studies and get admission in Medical college and i did try to commit suicide which shocked my parents...

i will try not to repeat that with my son....

teenagers are already under so much pressure...the least we can do is to just 'understand' them

Posted: Jul 12, 2008

often it appears that one has much to live for or has it all ........but the workings of the human mind proves uz to be wrong over and over again.

Posted: Aug 20, 2008

Ed, you always give me as a reader something to think about when I come to your page whether it be a delightful fun poem, an experimental sonnet or writings drawn from your life and family. This is a little different to your usual entertainment as you say but alas, still very topical today. I don't know if this statisitic is correct but I have heard that Australia has the highest rate of young male suicides. Some years ago my oldest son had a friend in class who suicided after a reprimand and inconsequential family spat. His family background was good and there appeared no real reason why he should take his life.
I think too, some of us baulk at suicide, couldn't bear to hurt family or friends by leaving them that way but depression eats away at them in secret. There are other young (and older)people who risk dying every day by taking drugs, alcohol, refusing to eat or eating too much. Killing ourselves but not seeming to pull the trigger so to speak.
Anyway, as you can tell, this posting gave me something to think about.
By the way, any new writings in the offing??

Posted: Sep 3, 2008