James Travers
Travers
- Location
- Republic of Ireland
This is a thread which I've wanted to make for a while now since the suicide of a family member and I've finally gotten around to making it. I would like to discuss the big bad thing we all know as depression as well as its main cause, Bullying, How to deal with it, how to seek help, who to speak to, how to help prevent it and what to do when you know someone who is depressed. I apologize in advance for this thread being so dark and if anyone is affected by anything said in this thread do not hesitate to message me.
Let me start off with some facts:
The other fact I wish to address is suicide being the leading cause of death in 15-29 year olds. These are young people with their whole lives ahead of them, they have so much time to achieve whatever goals they have visit whatever places they want to see and live a good life. But sadly, in too many cases depression takes over your life. A lot of these cases are related to bullying, financial issues and family issues.
Bullying:
Bullying is one of the most dangerous and disgusting acts someone can perform on another human being. Bullying is a leading cause to depression and suicide in young people and the sad thing is, most don't even know their guilty of bullying someone. You could come out with a comment which you believe is just a bit of fun but you might really be hurting someone inside, that's something we need to stop being so insensitive to and start thinking before we speak, put yourself in the other person's shoes. How would you feel if you were mocked constantly for things you have no control over, your Appearance, Family, Financial status. You'd feel down in the dumps and depressed. This is the issue with bullying and why it's so dangerous. And now that the internet is around it's even more dangerous.
Cyber Bullying. Something which has sadly become more and more popular over the last 5-10 years. Cyber bullying is utilised by people who can only be described as cowards. 'Keyboard Warriors' they take to the internet, use a false name and proceed to make hate comments, fake accounts and do many other things online whilst still remaining anonymous. This is the sad reality which goes with Cyber Bullying, it's becoming more and more popular, and what are we doing to stop it? Nothing. Recently a young woman from my region who was 21 years of age took her own life after going through 8 years of bullying and more specifically cyber bullying. It's becoming far too common that people are committing suicide, getting bullied and sufforing with depression. WE NEED TO INTERVENE NOW. And please if you do notice bullying, especially within this community, report it to a member of Staff immediately and they will deal with it accordingly. Thank You.
Prevention:
I like to say prevention is better than cure. So what can we do to prevent people sufforing from depression. The reality is, there are very simple things that you can do in your school, university, workplace etc. which can help significantly. Do you ever notice that kid sitting at a table by himself in every class and doesn't have any friends? I'm sure you have noticed someone like that and it really can be as simple as sitting beside that person, starting a conversation, getting to know them. They might be lonely and all they need for you to do is be their friend and give them a bit of company, this doesn't only apply to young people but to elderly people also. Many, many elderly people suffor from loneliness which also leads to depression. That old man or woman living next door to you, speak to them, have a chat you would be really surprised what stories some elderly people have, you could sit there for hours on end just listening to them. It is really just as simply as that, small gestures, talking to people and making them feel wanted that makes all the difference.
How To Deal With Depression:
Depression is not easy to deal with, but you don't need to handle it on your own. No matter who you are or where you are there is help out there for you. At times you may feel unwanted, worthless, a waste of space and you just want to throw the towel in and end it all. But trust me it's not worth it.
I'm going to do something I haven't ever done online before and I'm going to open up about my personal life. I'm Alex James Travers, I'm 15 years of age and you guessed it, I used to suffor from depression. Since the age of 8 I have been bullied physically and mentally. I've reached low points many times and have been on my death bed 3 times due to suicide attempts. But trust me, it's not worth it.
As someone who finds it difficult to speak to people about my issues I bottled everything up for years which is hands down one of the worst things you can possibly do. Speak about your problems, speak to friends, family, teachers, co-workers, heck even talk to a member of staff on here, they'd be more than happy to help and I am always willing to help to the best of my ability as well. Speak about your problems, get it off your chest and you WILL feel better. No problem will go unsolved.
What to do when you know someone is depressed or suicidal:
We may or may not know someone who has or does suffor from depression or had suicidal thoughts at some point. What you need to do is talk to them, be extra nice and extra careful about what you say. Try to help them reach solutions to their problems, reassure them that everything is going to be alright and always be supportive of them. As someone who suffored with depression, it's relentless how many negative people there are abouts that have a negative impact on you, you need to stay positive! And make the person feel wanted, that's the key thing. Many people who are suicidal feel worthless, you just have to fulfil the task of reminding them that their not.
Useful Phone Numbers:
Samaritans - 116 123
Childline - 0800 1111
If you have read this post, firstly I thank you for being so patient in reading the full post.
I would be very happy if even 1, just 1 person was affected by this post. I don't know if it will make a difference, but all I can do is try to the best of my ability.
Thank you,
- Alex James Travers.
Let me start off with some facts:
- There are over 300 million people of all ages sufforing from depression
- Over 800,000 people die due to suicide every year
- 1 in 23 people suffor from depression (due to this out of 50,500 members registered on the forums there could be up to 2195 people sufforing from depression within this community alone)
- Suicide is the leading cause of death in 15-29 year olds
The other fact I wish to address is suicide being the leading cause of death in 15-29 year olds. These are young people with their whole lives ahead of them, they have so much time to achieve whatever goals they have visit whatever places they want to see and live a good life. But sadly, in too many cases depression takes over your life. A lot of these cases are related to bullying, financial issues and family issues.
Bullying:
Bullying is one of the most dangerous and disgusting acts someone can perform on another human being. Bullying is a leading cause to depression and suicide in young people and the sad thing is, most don't even know their guilty of bullying someone. You could come out with a comment which you believe is just a bit of fun but you might really be hurting someone inside, that's something we need to stop being so insensitive to and start thinking before we speak, put yourself in the other person's shoes. How would you feel if you were mocked constantly for things you have no control over, your Appearance, Family, Financial status. You'd feel down in the dumps and depressed. This is the issue with bullying and why it's so dangerous. And now that the internet is around it's even more dangerous.
Cyber Bullying. Something which has sadly become more and more popular over the last 5-10 years. Cyber bullying is utilised by people who can only be described as cowards. 'Keyboard Warriors' they take to the internet, use a false name and proceed to make hate comments, fake accounts and do many other things online whilst still remaining anonymous. This is the sad reality which goes with Cyber Bullying, it's becoming more and more popular, and what are we doing to stop it? Nothing. Recently a young woman from my region who was 21 years of age took her own life after going through 8 years of bullying and more specifically cyber bullying. It's becoming far too common that people are committing suicide, getting bullied and sufforing with depression. WE NEED TO INTERVENE NOW. And please if you do notice bullying, especially within this community, report it to a member of Staff immediately and they will deal with it accordingly. Thank You.
Prevention:
I like to say prevention is better than cure. So what can we do to prevent people sufforing from depression. The reality is, there are very simple things that you can do in your school, university, workplace etc. which can help significantly. Do you ever notice that kid sitting at a table by himself in every class and doesn't have any friends? I'm sure you have noticed someone like that and it really can be as simple as sitting beside that person, starting a conversation, getting to know them. They might be lonely and all they need for you to do is be their friend and give them a bit of company, this doesn't only apply to young people but to elderly people also. Many, many elderly people suffor from loneliness which also leads to depression. That old man or woman living next door to you, speak to them, have a chat you would be really surprised what stories some elderly people have, you could sit there for hours on end just listening to them. It is really just as simply as that, small gestures, talking to people and making them feel wanted that makes all the difference.
How To Deal With Depression:
Depression is not easy to deal with, but you don't need to handle it on your own. No matter who you are or where you are there is help out there for you. At times you may feel unwanted, worthless, a waste of space and you just want to throw the towel in and end it all. But trust me it's not worth it.
I'm going to do something I haven't ever done online before and I'm going to open up about my personal life. I'm Alex James Travers, I'm 15 years of age and you guessed it, I used to suffor from depression. Since the age of 8 I have been bullied physically and mentally. I've reached low points many times and have been on my death bed 3 times due to suicide attempts. But trust me, it's not worth it.
As someone who finds it difficult to speak to people about my issues I bottled everything up for years which is hands down one of the worst things you can possibly do. Speak about your problems, speak to friends, family, teachers, co-workers, heck even talk to a member of staff on here, they'd be more than happy to help and I am always willing to help to the best of my ability as well. Speak about your problems, get it off your chest and you WILL feel better. No problem will go unsolved.
What to do when you know someone is depressed or suicidal:
We may or may not know someone who has or does suffor from depression or had suicidal thoughts at some point. What you need to do is talk to them, be extra nice and extra careful about what you say. Try to help them reach solutions to their problems, reassure them that everything is going to be alright and always be supportive of them. As someone who suffored with depression, it's relentless how many negative people there are abouts that have a negative impact on you, you need to stay positive! And make the person feel wanted, that's the key thing. Many people who are suicidal feel worthless, you just have to fulfil the task of reminding them that their not.
Useful Phone Numbers:
Samaritans - 116 123
Childline - 0800 1111
If you have read this post, firstly I thank you for being so patient in reading the full post.
I would be very happy if even 1, just 1 person was affected by this post. I don't know if it will make a difference, but all I can do is try to the best of my ability.
Thank you,
- Alex James Travers.
