January Issue
written January 1-2, 2019
Q: WHY DO PEOPLE AT A YOUNG AGE, ALSO CALLED AS YOUTH, COMMIT SUICIDE?
Saying “lack of foundation of one’s life” is simply the most common phrase we’d ever speak out of our tongues, but we do not understand their experiences. Nobody really does.
***
I remember back in March 2018, in my Grade 8 days, a life group came to my school and taught us about stuff like “foundation”, “masterpiece”, and others that talk about our life as a Christian. Everything I learned during the day are listed on my 2018 planner as my daily reminder not to forget those things.
On the 2nd meeting with the group, they were telling the entire class that each and everyone is God’s masterpiece, while recalling the last topic they had which was all about foundation. Then, the co-leader of the group, who was also a private school teacher, gave us an assignment to be written on an A4 bond paper.
There were 2 questions given for the students to answer, but the first question struck me the most. The question was, “What do you think are the common reasons why young people at your age commit suicide?” She even posted it in my group chat, which is why I decided to save that photo to my files.
Then, on the 3rd meeting with the group, the entire class passed their papers. I noticed some classmates’ answers were the most common answer I would always see: lack of foundation. (This is observation, not cheating.)
***
Ever since 2017, there were reported cases posted in Facebook and Twitter which were mostly suicide incidents. Even celebrities were among those recorded.
Some took pills to make them feel better. Some thought about dying or giving up. Some decided to sleep to feel the ease. However, we cannot really escape problems unless we face it.
So, where can you find that “lack of foundation” in a person?
***
December 30, 2018. While I was watching the TV Healing Mass on CNN Philippines, I listened to the shocking revelation of the priest about the things that appreciated or valued today’s youth. Among the top 10, value for God was their top 8, for the family top 7, while valuing their achievements was, sadly, at the top 1.
***
As I was looking on the photo again during New Year’s Day, 2019, I was reminded of another homily on a New Year’s Eve Mass at San Isidro Labrador Church. “Most people nowadays equate money with happiness.”
***
That “lack of foundation” comes from four things: problems, guilt, trouble, hatred. It cannot be found in our outside appearance; instead, that outside appearance is the mask, pretending you feel happy when you’re not, pretending you are positive when you’re not. It is from the inside of a person.
So, again, why do the young people commit suicide? (The “young people” are the “youth”.)
When you meet a stranger, you often think of his or her personality in your first impression. Outside appearance. Deep inside, he or she feels negative, but you don’t automatically know it unless you and that stranger are friends. That person has a story you don’t know unless you want to understand, but you cannot say “I feel you” unless you have the heart to do so.
Young people commit suicide because of either pride, broken relationship, or greed for money, and this becomes the “cross” they’re carrying, which makes them feel giving up. You cannot say that person has lacked foundation as easy as that although you know it is because of problems, guilt, trouble, and hatred. The most possible reason you can find is with their story.
What if that person is financially stable but not of career stability? What if that person has many friends but was living in a broken family? What if that person is living with the family together but are financially poor? What if that person is the smartest and nicest person in class but had no friends at school? No two men have the same one story, just as no two children are alike. Maybe, they have the same situation, but it seems that how it happened are both different.
***
Another question given by the co-leader in the assignment given was this: What do you think are the solutions to this problem? Simple, but I admit I was thinking of it wrong.
At first I was relating my answers to what I usually do when dealing with problems: talking about it to my family. But again, not everybody has good relationship with the family, and so is with friends.
The question should not be with an “s”, because the answer consists of only one solution: pray everything to God. But I understand that God can use the voice of one’s family or friends as instruments to that solution we seek.
Just as this line from the movie “Trolls” says:
“Sometimes, you just need someone to help you find it.”
Well, God knows you have somebody who you can trust, which is why He touched that person’s heart to help you deal with the situation. He wants you to be happy in a way nobody, even you, would know except Him.
After all, problems cannot be escaped, just as to the revelation of truth, but there is no problem God cannot solve. He is more than a friend, a family, or even a genius; He is divine.
“God will make a way, when there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me.” (“God Will Make A Way”, Don Moen)
He alone is the only solution to the suicide attempts happening in the world. In fact, He wants you to stay away from those “earthly” deeds--those bad influences like drugs, alcohol, excessive smoking, and the like which bring you into depression or anxiety.
He wants you to become truly happy through Jesus.
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” (St. John 14:1)
“I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” (St. John 14:6)
Since 2019 is declared Year of the Youth in the Philippines by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, we, even as fellow youth, should be the voices to those who are into trouble, to those who cannot believe in their abilities, and to those who have a hard time knowing God, and should be the helping hands to the community and to the poor who suffered much pain, hunger, and thirst because of endless violence happening around the world.
Not only you can see a true Christian inside the church, serving the Lord, praying the Rosary or whatsoever and reading the Holy Bible, but you can also see a true Christian with the kindness in one’s heart through sharing his or her blessings in many different ways.
- Erika Jane P. Roble
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