It is so sad that our youth are dying at their own hands and at the hands of others at an alarming rate. Mental Health is so important. There is a definite need for support systems, caring individuals who will take action when they see the ever present signs, and age/cultural specific services. Even if it is a change in attitude, not seeing a person as much as one normally would have (isolation), or a change in behaviors...take action. I believe that the celebrity youth are driving 100 miles per hour in the direction of self- destruction, and society sits back with sunglasses on as not to be obstructed by the glare of the sun when they crash.
The Entertainment Industry (music, media, film, and TV) all play a part in enabling this behavior. Drugs, mental illness, occupational stress, and stardom collide and the wreckage is apparent. Furthermore, youth in the community idolize these individuals and follow the path leading to destruction. Prescription and illicit drug use is a commonality among youth. There are so many kids on cocaine and heroin (not just smoking cigarettes and drinking a wine cooler- like the "rebels" of my era). Oh no, these kids are on the heavy stuff and combining drugs.
I am sure there were many factors related to Freddy E's decision to take his own life and I will not say that this young man was doing drugs, as I do not know. I will, however, say that teens face many issues including: mental illness, drug abuse (which compacts the mental illness), social issues (bullying, peer pressure), problems at home (CPS, abuse, poverty). THEY ARE LITERALLY DYING TO BELONG. We must save our youth, we don't need another tragedy to figure this out.
TIP: Be a role model, be a mentor.
Seattle Rapper Freddy E Dead in Apparent SuicideSeattle Rapper Freddy E Dead in Apparent Suicide »
Seattle hip-hop artist Freddy E committed suicide on Saturday.
Article seen at: http://www.billboard.com/column/the-juice/seattle-rapper-freddy-e-dead-in-apparent-1008074782.story?AWT2ygmPiHETRzYK.30#/column/the-juice/seattle-rapper-freddy-e-dead-in-apparent-1008074782.story
