Over the past several months, it has upset me that three girls from the same high school independently committed suicide, with their entire future ahead of them. There were so many questions as to why until you see two things. First these young ladies were bullied and second they had very poor body images even though they were beautiful young ladies. From what I read, no one knew of their internal struggles.
Today both young people and adults seem to show what they want the world to see. Social media continues to grow and it is the fastest way to develop poor body image by the bullies in our lives who want to point the finger away from their own issues. Most adults do not know all the channels of social communication by our children and young adults. Communication comes from Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, FaceBook,
Wickr, Cyberdust, WhatsAPP, SlingShot, and some more Apps have an auto erase feature, once it is read, to avoid tracking. This drives the feelings and attitude of our youth and adults today.
494,169 people visited a hospital for injuries due to self-harm in 2016. 7 of 10 suicides were male. (afsp.org) Girls are not exclusive to bad body image and being bullied. Yet people are shocked when the person is active in a church and are Christian and can not handle the pressures they preceive.
At a very young age we all learn to put on a mask to avoid pain and hurt and that mask continues to develop to let the world believe that we are normal, happy, healthy, and fit the mold that society expects. This mask continues to build and is reflected each Sunday at church. I know first hand about wearing a mask.
Today we meet people and friends and when they ask,
“How are you today?” Our response is
always, “Fine!” They are not really
interested in how people are doing, we just say the words. In my efforts to get rid of my mask, I have
learned to ask as second question, “How are you, REALLY?” Most people will then break down a wall and a
mask to tell you how they are really feeling.
Listen to them as they attempt to get rid of the mask.
I close the first part of this Blog to connect you to a song most Christians who wear a mask might love to sing as it reflects on how they feel. Sometimes Alone I Cry
This daily struggle is internal and we need help to realize our value. Before it is too late.
Our goal is to allow people to get rid of the masks and to develop methods for the youth and adults to consider before taking their own lives.
