If two girls fall to the call of death, do they make a sound?
Yes, they make a sound.
They don't realize it as they're dying, but they make a sound.
An entire community hears the sound as their hearts fall, their breaths stop, and their souls fly.
Kat and Abigail, high school students at James River and best friends. Both of them loved by many, surrounded by friends and family.
Both of them hiding pain that ultimately broke them.
In early November, news suddenly came that Kat had taken her own life. I was not directly affected by this, as I had never known Kat. However, most of my friends did know her, and were shocked and saddened by her death. One of these friends was Abigail. Since moving to NY, I haven't been in the best contact with a lot of my friends from high school. The most contact I had with anyone was usually a like or comment on social media. Abigail and I traded messages on Facebook a couple of times after I moved. However, I had no idea what was really going in her life. I still don't, because that information has been kept private. Whatever was going on was hurting her. When Kat died, she was hurt even more by the loss of one of her best friends.
Four weeks later, I heard the rumors that Abigail was gone. On Monday, it was confirmed. The cause of death was not revealed, but the people who knew her didn't need to be told. I was shocked. Suddenly, I was faced with the realization that a girl who I had always known as bright, cheerful, and kind was dead by her own hand. I was shocked and in denial, and so was everyone who knew her.
Suicide makes a bigger sound than people realize. It sends out a huge ripple effect that can stretch for miles. It is a serious issue. James River High School alone had 3 or 4 deaths just in my time there as a student, not counting Kat and Abby. Teen suicide is more frequent than many of us realize.
So here's a tip: keep your eyes open. Pay attention. Smile at a stranger, it could make their day. Show people that you care about them. Listen.
Watch out for signs of a possible planned suicidal - they may give you something that is important to them, like a favorite necklace or guitar chip or book, or maybe something larger like a trophy or an art project they were proud of. They may be distant, distracted, in a planning sort of state. They may show more affection then normal, hugging or repeatedly saying how much they care about you, and they may say "Goodbye" in a way that feels more final than just a daily farewell. They may do something dangerous that puts their life in danger. If you suspect that someone is planning to attempt, contact someone they live with, tell that person to keep a close eye on the possible suicidal. Talk to the person directly, ask if they're okay, remind them that they can talk to you. Make sure they know that you're there and you care.
Another way to inspire awareness is by wearing a yellow ribbon. Just pin one to your shirt or bag.
Suicide can be prevented if we learn to help each other.
