Help us

Location

Chicago
Walton street
United States
40° 52' 31.7928" N, 78° 14' 58.9128" W
Beginning of sophomore year something had changed. Summer had left us strange and our voice 
became locked and contained.  We were silent.
It didn’t happen to us all, it first only affected a few
And then grew into a trend that started effecting my friends. 
Depression isn’t contagious, it’s a disease where the signs aren’t always clear to see.
But check the eyes, check the wrists, check the warning signs you might have missed. 
List them out and listen. The details have a mission to destroy the home they live in.
Just don’t ignore it, that’s the worst possible choice, or thinking it’s all for attention.
The only way us teens have a voice. 
Strikes of your own neglect mark the ones you forget mattered, shattered in hospital rooms. 
My friends that gave up too soon. 
The phone call I’ll never forget and the things that should have been done.
20 percent of us will be depressed before the age of 21.
18 percent more will have harmed themselves, some of that damage can’t be undone.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10-24.
What more will go unsaid before more teens end up dying or dead inside,
hiding the hurt they self applied. And if you ask why. Like most people will.
Why do you break skin, pull out your hair, or take those pills. 
Why give yourself more pain if it’s not for the attention? Why then hide yourself away?
What’s your real intention?
Sometimes the pain is the only controllable factor.
Sometimes it’s an addiction, sometimes it doesn’t even matter. It just is.
What matters is that we’re just kids.
Fighting a war with no guns. Writing lyrics to songs that will go unsung.
Looking in the mirror and then never looking again.
Afraid to ask for help, thinking life isn’t worth it in the end.
If no one helps you or even tries, or you don’t notice because depression has covered your eyes,
realize life isn’t supposed to be like this. 
Life is open and is great. Life is made for change and mistakes. Life laughs and cries,
Life can be sad and happy at the same time.
It’s not your fault if you can’t leave your room
It’s not your fault if you can’t just do the things that make you ok. 
Depression isn’t something you can smile away. 
It’s understood that you would choose to be happy if you could. But you can’t.
That stigma creates something unattainable. False hope giving that chance that your depression is 
self changeable. No. It’s not. You still need help.
And if you decide to do it yourself, then there are options.
There are numbers and there are websites and there are doctors. 
You are not alone in the world. Depression is sadly common. 
But there is help out there as long as you want them.
And if you want them. The hardest is done. 
Asking for help is just step one.
That’s why sophomore year was a tragedy. 
Silent suffering constantly hurting the ones I loved like an unchecked cavity.
Where were the heroes, the ones that promised to care? 
Looking around at people looking down because you’ve refused to acknowledge there’s even a 
problem to be found. 
I look around and all I see are empty faces and halls.
All I see are the broken bodies in the bathroom stalls.
I remember when behavior used to be graded and emotional support wasn’t underrated. 
When it important to bring up the subtle changes. But now it’s just blown off as another kid 
unmotivated…
or bored.
Seeking the only attention they can afford.
Someone’s life is not an assumption. 
If you’ve noticed that they’ve changed, then do something.
Because if you do nothing or don’t try. 
That the decision you’ve made on behalf of someone’s life. 
It wouldn’t be your fault,
But with every action there’s an equal or opposite reaction.
But what if you don’t take action. Then what happens?
20 percent of us will be depressed before the age of 21.
18 percent more will have harmed themselves to the point where the damage can’t be undone.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10-24.
What more will go unsaid before teenages like us end up dying inside or hanging by a thread?
 

 

Comments

Additional Resources

Get AI Feedback on your poem

Interested in feedback on your poem? Try our AI Feedback tool.
 

 

If You Need Support

If you ever need help or support, we trust CrisisTextline.org for people dealing with depression. Text HOME to 741741