The issue of an assisted suicide is all over the news. A young woman encouraged a young man to take his life, and now the young woman is facing sentencing.
Many feel that the young woman should receive a long sentence.
I have so many questions related to this case.
My first question is why these two young people who had such deep problems didn't receive more help. How can we identify and help troubled youth more?
My next question is why would the young woman urge another person to commit suicide--what was going on in her brain? Does she have deeper cognitive, environmental, social and emotional issues that people are not revealing or that we don't understand yet?
Further, how can we prevent an issue like this in the future?
As a parent and teacher, I am sensitive to issues like this because we don't want to see people hurt in any way, and we want to forward the best possible collaboration between and amongst people. We want to be able to help our children and students in times of need, and help them and their families to access the supports needed.
I guess the simple answer in this situation is to foster the best possible relationships with your own children and students so that you know what's going on. It's also important to reach out with support when you have what a child or family needs. And, we have to build welcoming, open and positive teaching/learning and family environments where students can relax, learn and meet the great potential they hold for good living.
Yet, there will always be challenges in life. We will all face times when we are blindsighted to the truth around us with regard to our own children or students. That's why it's important to speak up when you see a student, neighbor, relative or friend facing great challenge. That's one way to potentially help.
This assisted suicide case is very, very troubling. I ache for all involved, and hope that the communities I work with and in can work to avoid such troubling situations, and instead work together to help every child have a good life and future. Onward
