Death:
noun
"...the end of the life of a person or organism."
-Oxford Languages
Intro
This topic is one I feel very strongly toward. Bringing awareness to this subject and shining light upon a seemingly very common struggle- I believe could save millions of lives.
TW: mentions of suicide
Stats
Suicide rates in people aged 15-18 have been rising at exponential rate since the 1990's
At the time, the highest increase seen in a single year was in 2003 to 2004
During this time the suicide rates of young people went from 6.78% to 7.32%
I site this information from the past to show the weight of our present escelation.
In 2022 the continued data showed that suicide rates among teens increased to 14.3% in a study out of 100,000
Technology
Upon my own opinion, due to personal experience and those of many I care for- I took it upon myself to do a little freelance research on technological advancements during the time period 1990- 2004 (when suicide rates in young people began to steadily increase)
I confirmed that the internet was becoming evermore popular to all people during this time, many families started getting various speeds of internet in their homes. Along this line, the first touchscreen smartphone was made available in 1994- as we all know, this invention has been innovated to modern life and heavily marketed since.
Now of course, correlation does not imply causation, and I am sure there are a multitude of other factors at play. Still, I can't help but believe that this technological advancement plays some kind of role in the declining mental health of us all, especially our young people !
Disconnect & Influence
When made available to them, it is very apparent that most children and teens become evermore attached to their internet connected devices. This leads to an array of physical, psychological and physiological issues. Not only are young people disconnected from their families... but also to the real world and most importantly themselves.
Especially when children, and even babies are exposed to addictive screens, they are subject to lose focus, care and introspect... all everso important for learning about the world and ones self. To more easily evolve in life and become the best version of yourself you can be, it is so important to give yourself and the young people whom you are responsible for the space and motivation to know who they are, without the heavy (and most of the time negative) influence so widely available on the internet.
Teenage Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis:
Noun
"The process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form"
Take a moment to look upon your own teenage years.
Do you remember the awkward stages- a place of growing, between a child and a grownup.
Did you experience any type of depression or big uncertain existential feelings ?
I sure did.
These adverse feelings mostly came to me in my early teenage years, personally I believe a lot of my depressed feelings and actions came from the influence of those around me and you guessed it - the internet.
In these strange, evolutionary times of life it is rather easy to be overwhelmed by change.
Embracing this change, is the key to a smooth move into adulthood.
Recognize that there is a death that is intended to happen during this time. Just as the caterpillar must dissolve into a mucus before taking its final form... us humans must also shed our skins of childhood.
It is truly an intricate balance, to keep the child inside of you nurtured as an adult, and doing so at the point of change in adolescence, when you are not yet an adult but no longer a child can be almost inconceivable.
The heart of this article
Talk with your children.
Know what's best for them.
Assess areas of health within you & your child's life.
Discuss with them that the changes they are going through are more than simple and normal changes we all go through, but a true transformation. Help them understand that through all the physical and emotional shifts... there is an evolution within their spirit that can be evermore taxing and rewarding.
If you think your child may be depressed, or is exhibiting suicidal thoughts and behaviors- of course bring action to all the proper measures you believe would be best for your family, also consider talking to them about the intrinsic death that is coming of age. That the feelings they are experiencing can be directed to benefit them now and in the future !
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June 27th, 2023
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