Youth from iMedia program addresses Teen Suicide

Several teens from the iMedia program, wrote and produced a skit called "Do You See Me, Can't You Hear Me?" The skit is about a teenage girl who faces various challenges in her life, and she thinks that suicide is her answer to the emptiness that she feels. A few of the teens from the iMedia program, have been affected by the act of suicide, from someone they knew or they found themselves in a trying position. The teens wanted to bring light to a dark situation, hoping it would prevent someone from taking their life.

Suicide among our youth is a very serious problem, the act of suicide has lasting effects on the families, friends, and the community as a whole. With suicide, many question are left unanswered, and family members are left with feeling shame and blame for the death of their loved one. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds, after accidents and homicide, and it is the sixth leading cause of death for 5 to 14 year olds.

iMedia's teens shated their feelings about suicide. 7th grader Edward Nix agreed with the Kids Health Organization's statement, which said that "parents, siblings, classmates, coaches and neighbors might be left wondering if they could have done something to prevent that young person from turning to suicide". 8th grader, Lanece Worley said"she feels that the teen who commits suicide had given up on life and themselves", Rakim Huff an 8th grader, stated that he "believes that numerous negative events can contribute to a teen wanting to take his or hers own life, such as the internal conflicts that they are going through in their home life and school". Telesia Wright also an 8th grader, said that a teen can feel that they have no other options, no where to go, while feeling trapped. 12tj grader Delania Lewiscsays "to commit suicide is not a good idea or alternative to life, we all go through trials and tribulations and based on her family life and spiritually, she will not look at suicide as an option". Alexis Nunn, who is in the 11th grade, recently lost a friend to suicide.states "that it(suicide) hurts everybody, it hurts the family and friends that are left behind to deal with this unimaginable lost, and the pain they feel losing someone they love to suicide. I thought about suicide before, but I also thought about my mother and my father and how that would hurt them and it would make them sad. I realize that what I do will affect the people that really love me, and who really do care about me. I have went through being depressed, but now I work hard at dealing with my depression, it takes a lot of work to stay focus and know that there are people who love me. My friend Kevin a Brown, showe'd me that I am stronger than I thought I was, it is important to have a real friend in your life who will give you the real truth about yourself, not to put you down, but to help raise you up. The whole truth of the matter is that suicide is not the answer".

The teens will be performing their skit at the Youth Advocacy and Leadership Coalition 6th Annual Youth Summit on Saturday November 22, 2014, from 9-4 at the Main Classroom Building at Cleveland State University, for more information contact Robin Stone at 216-429-8200.

iMedia is a Media, Arts and Technology program sponsored by Institutional Community Development Corporation, and they meet at the Collinwood Recreation Center, 16300 Lakeshore Blvd., on Wednesday's 4:30-6:00., for more information contact Ms. Daniels  at 216-331-8857 

Darece Daniels

Collinwood resident for 33 years!

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Volume 6, Issue 9, Posted 10:47 PM, 10.15.2014