Teenagers struggling with mental-health issues now have an outlet to share their experiences and offer encouragement to their peers and others in the community.
The local #ZeroReasonsWhy (#ZRW) program is accepting stories from local and area teenagers in a couple of ways. #ZRW is a teen-led campaign to reduce teen suicide and emphasize that mental health is as important as physical health.
Those who want to share a story can visit the website for The Center for Counseling & Consultation,thecentergb.org, and click on the #ZRW link.
Or, they may contact Holly Bowyer at The Center by calling 620-792-2544. Bowyer, The Center’s #ZRW liaison, will offer guidance about how their stories can be heard.
“The unique stories that teenagers relate can serve a couple of purposes,” Bowyer said. “They can let other people know they are not alone in their feelings and they can help remove the stigma associated with mental-health issues.
“Teenagers can learn that it is okay to not be okay.”
Topics of the stories that teenagers share can focus on depression and anxiety, as well as suicidal thoughts and/or attempts. Once releases are signed, the stories may appear on The Center’s website, social media and in educational/training settings.
Stories certainly don’t have to be lengthy. (See the sample adjacent to this story).
Julie Kramp, The Center’s executive director, noted that personal, true stories can be effective in catching the attention of teenagers, and their parents and teachers.
“This is a unique opportunity to engage with a wider audience,” Kramp commented. “We want to do all we can to open up the lines of communication to reduce the mental-health stigma.
“Stories that teenagers tell may also enhance their own insights and perspectives, while building empathy for those struggling with a mental illness.”
Most of the high schools in The Center’s four-county service area participate in #ZRW to varying degrees.
The Center for Counseling & Consultation is a Community Mental Health Center serving Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties. Professionally trained personnel offer: individual and group therapy; marriage and family counseling; community-support services; community-based services; psychosocial rehabilitation; peer support; and medication management. The confidential 24/7 crisis hotline number is 800-875-2544.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a story by a young local woman for the #Zero Reasons Why program.
Bullying and low self-esteem led me to that rooftop. It was the thought of my brothers that made me take a step back.
I was 13 years old. My world was turned upside down by bullies; I hated myself, hated the way I looked. I told myself that no one would cry if I jumped. I was thinking I didn’t have anybody left to support me, so why not jump?
But then I started thinking about my brothers. What if their pain after my suicide would be worse than my own pain? My greatest fear was they would feel the need to do the same thing. I also thought about what they would do if they actually saw me after I jumped.
If I had followed through, it would have changed the lives of my family and friends forever – and not in a good way.
I ask that parents look at – not past - their teenagers. Please sit down and ask what they are feeling. Maybe they hide their feelings like I used to do. If you express how you felt as a teenager, they might open up. They need someone to feel their pain.
Because I understand this kind of pain, I am now a great listener.
