THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK ON YOUR FRIENDS!
“Life is sacred.” The remarks that halted last Sunday’s sermon. I can’t tell what the whole sermon entailed probably because I involuntarily dozed off in between.
That same Sunday afternoon I get busy chatting with an old friend trying to catch up after that long period of time, we get to remind ourselves of the best childhood moments that we went through and the crew that we grew up together with in the neighborhood, that’s when she breaks the sad news, one of us was found hanging a week before. This shocks me because this dude used to be that comedian, ever happy, the probability of taking his own precious life was to the nearest impossibility. What could have really happened to him to make such a decision? The suicide note neatly written and left on the coffee table reveals it all: he had a relationship mishap with his girlfriend and this time it wasn’t solved, this probably led to making such a bad decision. So sad.
It was not the first time I was getting news of that nature, for over a month now Kenya has been experiencing what for a long time had not been recorded, the number of teenagers committing suicide has been on the rise. To some extent it has become normal to get such news. A decade ago and the preceding decades, news about a teenager taking his own life would not be taken lightly, for one reason that it was very rare to get such news. And now depression becomes the root of it all.
Depression comes through different ways, one of the obvious one is the relationships which fail at the end, another reason maybe general failure, failure to meet your expectations, depression is not also limited to mistreatment and assault and all the bad deeds that might come across your mind.
Depression has led to several deaths. I do not love blame game though today I am embracing the game on some groups and individuals: Friends, Family and Society (FFS), FFS forms the very small or large circle of one in his/her own life time.FFS for one reason or the other is responsible for one’s growth and development, shapes up one to become what he or she yearns for.
FAMILY
My blame goes to the parents first. How often do you sit down with your sons or daughters to have friendly chat? Do you really care when you see your sons/daughters moody or you just assume? It is very sad to note that parents no longer have time for their own siblings, their very first “investments”. with advancement in technology, they’d rather video call for hours their long time friends and village mates who made it to go to overseas. The best time they have for their children is during supper and the topic probably will only be on why food was cooked late and make a reminder about their own health issues that do not need a lot of salt on food. Parents should play a role of the first best friend to a daughter or son, have some time with your son or daughter, your advice will be of great help when given out in love as a loving parent. Help in fighting depression.
FRIENDS
What do you always talk about when you meet? Most people tend to assume that everything is okay even without getting in touch with their friends for a long time. With meme advices, an ego is developed and once someone goes silent the other follows suit while saying that “we both have smart phones, you don’t text I don’t text too, you do me I do you.” Everyone wants to go with the friends, follow every story on twitter and favorite celebrities on instagram, the same people will be the first ones to post the pics of the deceased with the best caption ever. I take that as hypocrisy. Always reach out to your friends in the best way possible. As age mates and close friends let’s help each other not necessarily financially but mentally too, share out what you think and advice accordingly. Support your friend and show love. Train yourself to be keeping secrets of each other and you will earn more trust and probably he or she won’t shy away from sharing out his/her problems with you. Check on your friends regularly. Kindly.
SOCIETY
Society in this context refer to the people that surround one generally, may not be so close to one but they form part of his/her day to day environment. Could be course mates, class mates, work mates, or people from the same hood, or maybe a passerby. Please be kind to everyone. The society tend to mind their own businesses and pay a little attention to anyone else, it’s very important that we at least say hi or just a nod to that strange and silent neighbor, we never know what people go through. Frowning and wearing that serious face won’t help; smile at people, that simple smile might change the whole situation. Smiling is a sign of humanity, so smile to all and stop the stereotype thing about some people.
We should always remember that suicide is not an option and life is very sacred. There is a reason behind your sufferings, almost everyone suffers even more than you do but they still afford to live, so stay strong and keep in mind that life is sacred.
