When does too much become, too much? This month, tragedy struck Kearney High School with the suicide of one of their students. This is not being the first one to happen this school year. When does it all end?

Teenagers these days are starting to feel as though there is no one that they can turn to.While not everyone feels this way, most young adults these days are struggling to find that person. Those people that don’t have anyone are likely to feel loneliness, depression, anxiety, or even suicidal thoughts and actions.

Today’s society is unstable, not only in areas such as government, money, and employment, but in smaller stages such as friends, healthiness, which can be split into mental, physical, and social standings.

Self harm is not something new to our country, but it should become something that is rare and unheard of. Many teenagers are being diagnosed with diseases such as depression or anxiety, mostly due to the social environment where they spend most of their days: school. High school is a dreaded place with many people, activities, and groups that are unaccepting of change, unfriendly to a random or familiar face in the hall, and unfathomed by tragedy. Personally, if someone at my high school were to self harm or commit suicide, I would be a wreck. On top of being conversational to those that I don’t normally hang out with,  I am a friendly face to those who walk the halls. Although my generation is all of the negative things stated above, I feel as though there needs to less and the people need to be aware and understanding.

Along the lines of self harm can come bullying, whether over social media or in person. Bullying is not something to be taken lightly. Most schools have several no tolerance bullying policies in place, yet few cases are reported or taken care of. Teenagers are more likely to keep the fact of being bullied or being the bully under-wraps, then to face the truth, consequences, or administration. Nearly 30 percent of students are either being bullied or are doing the bullying.

There are over 4,400 suicides by high school students over the country per year. This subject is no laughing matter. It is one that needs awareness and lots of it.

So when is too much too much? When multiple people who had a bright future ahead of them are dead? Or when someone finally takes notice and stops the negative actions and words all together? It is up to us, the friends, the students, the acquaintances, to make a positive environment for those who feel unwelcome, uninvolved, and the unaccounted for. It is up to us to make the difference and help to save the future and these people’s lives.

Is It Enough?