96| Sometimes I'm depressing

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by genie_us

by genie_us

#Genie12RantsofChristmas

number 3

This may be a slightly controversial rant. It's a touchy topic: teen suicide. So brace yourself.

I would like to know your opinions on the matter and all, so don't be afraid to comment!

I've been scrolling through book recommendations and everything and a certain type of book is getting startlingly common:

Books on teen suicide.

Yes, it's a touchy topic. Yes, it's something that needs attention. Yes, I'm glad that authors are now giving a voice to those who are depressed and/or suicidal. But these books seem to be increasing in number to a point where it's almost counterproductive. Hear me out.

I'll begin by giving a general gist of how these books work as I've read a couple. Many are usually a collection of stuff like texts, letters, diary entries etc of the victim's feelings and the events leading up to his/her death. Or, it could be the teen narrating it himself/herself, recounting the moments that triggered his/her decision to take his/her own life.

The first time I read one, it was extremely deep and it touched me, it really did. It reflected a lot of issues that teens with depression go through and everything. However, as I mentioned, these books are growing in number, and it's getting counterproductive because -

They are somewhat providing a justification for suicide. These books have titles like why she jumped off a cliff or why I overdosed or the reason he drowned, and the purpose of this is that you're supposed to read to find out the reasons they did that. But it also sends forward the message:

Because I'm bullied, I am depressed, therefore I kill myself because I have a reason to do so.

The more books on teenage suicide are written on Wattpad, the more people will begin to think it's the only way out (if they strongly relate to the issues discussed in the book i.e. are suicidal). But that's not true, it's never true. Suicide is not the answer.

I completely understand and admire the intentions of the writer to bring light to topics often swept under the rug, but over-emphasis on it means that some sort of miscommunication occurs.

It's similar to the way my school enjoys hammering us about sex being bad or some bullshit like that. Every single time we're hearing about how porn and masturbation and sex is going to result in STDs (I'm exaggerating) and as a result everyone has proceeded to go out of their way to rebel in this sense: it therefore becomes counterproductive; it goes against what the teachers initially intended for it to be. They were warning us with good intention, but continual emphasis on it meant that we gained a desire to go against it.

Okay, I don't even know if that was a good example. Maybe what I mean by it is the whole concept of counter-productivity as a result of focusing on something too much.

Perhaps what I'm suggesting is that the greater emphasis should be on the fact that there's a better alternative to people taking their own lives. That there are people out there who will love them to the point that they will want to live, just to see the person smile. That there are doctors and therapists and psychiatrists who want them to get better, and they are there to help them get back to a safe place.

Some of you may argue that sometimes that's not the reality. But say that someone who's depressed and bullied is reading a book called why I overdosed (made-up). Say they find that their situation is so similar to the main character's. He are suicidal like the protagonist, and so this book somewhat appeals to him because it gives a solution.

But what if instead, this depressed person was reading why I almost overdosed but didn't (it obviously wouldn't be titled that k). Again, they find that they can identify with the protagonist on a deeper level. But say the ending is different: the protagonist finds a friend who changes their life. Or, the protagonist talks to someone who helps them. And as a result, they find happiness in life.

I don't know about you, but I think the latter will act as a ray of hope. It will say to them hey, I know how you feel, but there's something better out there even if you can't see it right now.

In having a book why he killed himself and then proceeding to explain why the person killed himself somewhat provides a justification for him killing himself, like I said. As in, the book is giving a reason as to why the person killed himself. This is what justifying means: giving a reason to support an action. Should there ever be a reason good enough for someone to say I understand why s/he took his/her own life? Are we supposed to read these books and say that to ourselves? Oooh, it makes sense, why he jumped off a cliff. I see why s/he did that.

I don't know about you, but I believe in the sanctity of life; it's the most precious thing we have. I believe that God is the one to take our lives. I believe that there can never be a reason good enough for someone to say that they're done with their life.

I'm getting extremely emotional right now tbh but my point is that there should be more positive books to maybe be a ray of sunshine in the life of someone who thinks it's all grey

Okay okay spot the references

Hi my name is Bruce

Miley, wazz good?

Hello, it's me
K bye