A CRY FROM WITHIN

My first article a few months back was regarding the newborn. I've decided to skip the ages in between and jump right into the adolescence age group. I felt the need to reach out to all teenagers out there who are not yet adults although some may look like one physically, but are still immature in other aspects of their personalities.

In a few days , it will be the first year death anniversary of a young man who won't be able to follow his father's footsteps, that of being a soldier. For still unknown reasons, he chose to end his life through a shot in the head. If some wielded a gun to kill others, he opted to use his father's firearm and ammunition to kill himself. It still baffles us all what could have driven him to the edge.

He was a well-behaved and friendly teenager who was always ready to lend a helping hand. He looked after his younger sisters by preparing their food, giving them a bath and sending them to and picking them up from school. He accepted the responsibility of being the man of the house in the absence of his father who was usually assigned elsewhere to carry out his duties as defender of the state. Was his a case of growing old too soon?

Everyday, an adolescent is confronted by problems both real and imagined. They find themselves struggling between choices in the various aspects of life,i.e. from fashion to food and even career. Most parents find it hard to understand them because they refuse to talk or even listen. These teens speak a language that is even alien to some. They walk in ways that are not the norm. Sometimes, they don clothes that others find repulsive but peers adore and even follow.

What lies behind the mask they show to the world? What are the fears that continuously haunt them?

Now, is the time to make yourself heard! If you need someone to lend you an ear without judgment or censure, I open this site to everyone. I am calling on every adolescent who has something to say or who has something in mind no matter how trivial or how quaint it may be. I fervently hope that through this column, I can prevent another death.

I want to know YOUR CRY FROM WITHIN!