To those who considering dangerous or life-threatening behavior.

Disclaimer: While this is mostly about suicide, many similar things can be said about substance abuse or distracted driving, so PLEASE consider the following.

Recently a student in a neighboring town took their life. While learning about probability in math class, our teacher compared (statistically) the probability of failing us failing math unintentionally given we are students at our school vs. the probability of having serious thoughts of suicide given that we are a teenager in America.

The main reason the prior has odds of slim to none is because the school constantly circulates those academic needs back to us and makes sure we know resources are available. That doesn't mean the resources to combat the latter are not available, but apparently some people have yet to be aware of or to comprehend their availability. My teacher then made it clear that any teacher, whether you have a class with them or not, is willing to talk things out. If you don't find luck, this is the purpose of this post.

Many teens that have thought seriously about suicide often have a bleak outlook on the future because of low self esteem, pessimistic views of the world, or sense of purpose not being fulfilled or realized. I would like to tell you why I want you to not take your life.

1. Regardless of whether or not you think so, you will be missed. Not only do I see your gifts and your beauty more than I do your so-called weaknesses and imperfections. There will be a sense of emptiness only to be filled with more grief and anxiety when you are gone. In the last three years or so, every graduating class had at least one person pass before graduation whether by accident or by suicide. I try my darndest to have at least one conversation every week or so with someone who misses many classes for mental health reasons because the last thing I want is to feel the sting of our principal acknowledging our yellow ribbons for you. (Even if you are not a full-time student–I can guarantee that the Hoover Dam holding back tears in my brain will not be intact.) You deserve to feel a sense of belonging to us. If you know me, please talk to me about your troubles, but if you feel like you can't talk to me, here's a toll free number to some who would want to: 1-800-273-8255.
2. Even if you have a bleak outlook on life, you still only have one chance to live it. For this, I only have one image to describe this:

3. If you have not found a purpose in life at age 13, 16, 19, 23, 27, 37 etc., guess what? That's okay! There is still plenty of life to live and an infinite amount of choices you can make. If it doesn't work, it doesn't. But that doesn't mean that nothing will work, so go ahead. Make rational, positive choices and learn from those that didn't work.

I love you. I want you to live. If you don't want you to live, any teacher would be willing to talk to you, and there are plenty of toll free number such as the Trevor Project to confidentially talk about your feelings. I believe in you. 💓