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11.16.2010

{I Am Me}

FYI…this is not my typical post.  But it is something that has been on my mind a great deal in the last few weeks. 

Unique and original, there is no other that is quite like me.  Or you for that matter!

While each of us may have similarities, we each have characteristics that are unique and one-of-a-kind.  So why is that we have let society set a standard of what we should be?

The days of a care-free childhood are no more.  Children and teens are thrown into a world that says they must keep up with the “Jones”.  You must dress a certain way, you must be a certain size, you must listen to a certain type of music, etc. 

It seems as though being oneself is becoming a thing of yesterday.  And that makes me sad.  There is a generation of teens that are struggling to fit into a mold that society tells them they must fit into.  And if they can’t conform, then something must be wrong with them.

These societal views have lead to the destruction of many lives.  And what is most heartbreaking, the loss of life.  All due to the “pressure” to fit in. 

Yep…I’m digging in a little deep tonight.  Because there are lives that hang in the balance.  A generation that lacks knowing who they are.  And due to this, we have a generation of teens that are seeking acceptance anywhere they can find it.  And many times…these actions are a cry for help. 

Depression is not something that affects adults only.  It is also prevalent among teens.  When untreated, depression can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms.  Behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse, promiscuity, and self-injury. 

It breaks my heart to see so many teens struggling with these issues.  I have seen a young girls tears shed over not “fitting in”.  Heard her questions of “why”. 

There needs to be an intervention.  It is time for societal norms to be silenced.  Whatever it takes, we need to step up to the plate for this generation.

Unfortunately, many young girls are turning to self-injurious behaviors due to loneliness, fear, depression and emptiness.  It is a CRY for help. 

To Write Love on Her Arms began as an attempt to tell the story and a way to help a friend in 2006.  From there, an organization was born. TWLOHA is dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for those struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.  They exist to encourage, inform, inspire, and also to invest directly to treatment and recovery.  If you haven’t heard of this organization before, please take a moment to visit their site. 

It is my goal to present the truths.  To find a way to help.  And I challenge you tonight to find a way that you can help to!

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for this post. It's good to know about any organization dedicated to this cause.

    ReplyDelete

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