Dedication
This book goes out to
my daughter and all her friends, and their friends, etc. So many kids and
adults out there are suffering from something we all know as depression. There
are so many that we don’t always know who they are. They could be the person we
sit next to on the bus or in our math class at school. They may not show any
signs of self-destruction on the outside, but on the inside, they want to die,
or at most, hurt themselves because they don’t think they’re good enough,
pretty enough, or likable enough.
But the
truth is, they are loved more than they know. Is it that they don’t see it? Or
is it that they don’t think they’re
loveable enough for us? How is one person born without these thoughts and
self-esteem issues, and another that just wants their world to end? Is it their
lifestyle that makes them feel a certain way? Maybe a parent, an alcoholic or
drug abuser is abusing them at home? We all live and are raised differently,
but what makes us become so depressed that we want to end our life? I’m sure
most of us have experienced some kind of bullying in our life. Maybe when we
were in school, or maybe even at our job where we work. There’s always someone
who has to be better than us or get his or her own way. Maybe they feel more
superior when they’re bullying other people?
I don’t know all the
answers, but I do know that we need to do something about it.
Foreword
My editor suggested
that I write a Foreword for this book to inform people of the growing epidemic
facing our youth on the effects of bullying, including suicide. The only thing
I know to do is to write from my heart, especially on the things I know about.
I did not want this Novella to be a summary of a police suicide report or a
recap of a Medical Examiner’s findings.
When I
first thought about writing this fictional book based upon a kid that my
daughter knows, I was hesitant about it. To be candid, this book is also
inspired by my own story. There have been moments when I, myself, felt the same
way, but had never acted upon it. God forbid, I actually talked about what I
was considering back when I was a teenager.
This
Novella might hit home for many people. It might seem like I just wrote about
their life. Truth is—it was written about someone’s life, though names and some
circumstances have been changed or modified to protect their identity. It is
based on my daughter’s best friend and the battle he faced and still deals with
every day.
Is there
more we can do for people like Mick? Can we listen a little more, or a little
longer? Give them a hug or even sit and talk to them, with them? Can we protect
them from what the world hands us?
I’m not
sure how to answer these questions. But I do know that there were a couple of
times in my life when I didn’t want to face another day. I didn’t want to live
one more moment. This may surprise some people, but why write a book about a
boy being depressed if I haven’t myself felt some of the things Mick has felt?
I deal
with days that I have to will myself
to get through. I’m not sure what causes these downfalls, but I make it through
them and the next thing I know, it’s been days or weeks that have gone by and I
feel great, but I also know that these thoughts will never completely go away.
I can’t explain the feelings that stir inside me, just as you probably can’t
explain what is going on inside yourself. Each person is different and we all
deal with situations in our own way. Granted there are more programs and
facilities out there now that can help people like us. Now it’s just up to us
to reach out and ask for HELP!
I did
some research on local nonprofit organizations and websites that can help those
of us who are thinking about ending our lives, or even self-injuring, such as
what Mick was doing in this book. These websites have lists of hotlines for
each state that include a free-bullying guide and suicide support groups where
you can go and talk with people who are just like you and are going through
something similar or as self-destructive. You’re not the only one who might
feel alone and is being bullied.
I
honestly can’t say that I wasn’t surprised on how many different sites there
are out there with just a click of a button. Something I didn’t have back in
the eighties when I was dealing with my depression and bullying. I didn’t talk
to anyone about what and how I was feeling; I just thought, I guess, it would
be a better world without me in it.
Today,
I’m more verbal about what I went through and what I felt. But, it was my
daughter who brought that out of me because of her friends and what they are
doing to themselves. I have several more books in this series to write. More
stories to share about other teenage suicides happening each and every day.
Although I don’t know the whole story about what they’re going through, I’m
pretty sure I won’t be too far off from the truth after writing it.
If you
or someone you know needs guidance with what they’re feeling or going through,
and you don’t want to talk to an adult in your household or an adult at your
school, then I suggest turning to these websites for help. They are very
resourceful and are there to help you understand and cope with depression and
suicidal thoughts.
You can
also call the numbers listed here when you’re ready to get help, 1-800-SUICIDE
or 1-800-273-TALK.
There
are so many untold stories out there. So many that need told. I just want you
to know that you’re not alone, and that there are people out there that will
listen and can help you.
I’m not a medical doctor
or professional counselor, but I’m here if you need someone to just listen to
whatever you need to talk about at dmzadunajsky@gmail.com Just reach out and ask for help. I’m also
available to schools or other organizations for speaking out about suicide and
bullying.
Mick
I think it’s best that I start by introducing myself. Will it be
important? I guess I’ll leave that up to you in the end. I think introductions
are the best so if I tell you who I am, then you’ll at least know something
about me, but then by the end of my story you’ll know all about me. You’ll know
why I do what I do. Why I’m going to do what needs to be done. Should have been
done…
My
name is Mick, Mick Connors. I live in the south suburbs of Chicago. I’m
thirteen years old, and I have two half siblings, a brother and a sister. I
don’t see them much, but in all reality, I don’t care. They live with my mom a
couple of towns away. I’m supposed to go to my mom’s house every other weekend,
but my dad lets me stay home. He doesn’t force me to see her. She’s the reason
why they’re not together anymore. It’s one of the reasons why I live with my
dad and not her! Well, if you haven’t figured it out yet, I have given you two
clues… Yep, that’s right, the half siblings.
Their
divorce caught me unexpectedly. I mean… they seemed so together. Like they knew
what they were doing, but then—Wham!
It was like I was sucker-punched in the gut when they broke the news to me.
Okay,
so if I look back and think about some of their fights, yeah, I can see that
they had their moments, but divorce? That’s like—final. There’s no, “I’m just
kidding”, or “We can always just rip up the papers and act like it never
happened.” No, divorce is divorce. It means it’s over and there’s no going
back. We tried, but I can’t stand living with you anymore, so yeah, goodbye.
Seven
months later, after my dad moved out, she was getting ready to give birth to my
half brother and sister. I’m not sure what surprised me more—the divorce or the
fact she cheated on my dad and got herself pregnant. I don’t even want to think
about it anymore.
* *
* * *
I
hate everything about school. I hate getting up in the morning to go. I hate
the classes they make me take. I hate all the teachers. I don’t think I’ve ever
liked any of my teachers in all the time I’ve been in school. But mostly, I
hate the kids that go to the school. Well, at least the ones that are mean to
me. The ones that bully me!
So
now you know my parents are divorced and I live with my dad. You know I have
two half siblings and that I hate school.
One more thing, I used to live with my mom,
but since the start of eighth grade, I’ve been living with my dad. They say
it’s for the best, you know, because of what happened to my best friend. Oh, I
guess I haven’t told you that part yet…
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