You are not alone
Image Credit: Clement Souchet on Unsplash
Jason Spender,
7th Mar 2024
Tags:
Life
Blog
Education
Environment
Jesus
Suicide
I recently read an article by Christian Concern about the safety of our schools, with some eye-opening statistics. I wonder if you can either relate to any of them or you know someone who could?
In 2023, 1 in 10 students missed school in a six month period because they didn’t feel safe, with only a quarter of them seeking help from staff.
90 percent of schoolgirls have received unsolicited sexual images and been subject to sexist name calling.
Over 200 school children are lost to suicide every year in the UK.
Over 200 school children are lost to suicide every year in the UK.
It is estimated that 3.1m children in England go to schools in areas with toxic air.
School and college are tough places to be for many different reasons and can present lots of challenges.
To add to the stress of work and study, there is the peer-pressure and bullying from other students, as well as fear of being polluted by toxic air and the threat of buildings collapsing.
By themselves these things would be enough to cope with, let alone having to deal with multiple issues at the same time.
I am constantly impressed with the resilience that you (as a young person!) show on a daily basis dealing with these challenges. The breadth of issues is far greater than even when I was at school only a few years ago.
It’s good to share what’s going on and seek out help.
However, it is important to recognise that at times it can all feel a little overwhelming and that you can feel isolated. It is in these moments that it’s good to share what’s going on and seek out help.
They say that a problem shared is a problem halved. In other words, when we let people we trust know how we are feeling, the problem becomes easier to deal with.
Depending on what you are wrestling with, here are some great places for support, advice and resources:
Real Life and Real Faith in the Real World | Head Strong
Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide
Happify: Science-Based Activities and Games
While having these places and people to go to is fantastic, the most reassuring thing I’ve found in knowing that I’m not alone, is my relationship with God.
God wants to be with you so that you never have to be alone again.
As a follower of Jesus, I believe that God is with me whatever situation I face and wherever I go. Today, God also wants to be with you so that you never have to be alone again!
