May 18, 2017 3 min read

I’ve facilitated many discussions with young people and adults in response to the series “13 Reasons Why.” Our peer educators suggested we offer our own response to the idea of suicide: reasons why young people matter.

Here are some of their reasons. These comments are unedited and came from our Adolescent Advisory Board and our Peer Educators (young people ages 14 to 18).

13+ Reasons Why Young People Matter:

• We’re the future.

• We’re aware of issues that teens face today.

• We spark change.

• We have and share opinions; those opinions matter to the world.

• We’re strong.

• We have a drive to fix things.

• We are smart.

• We know a lot.

• We have the world in our hands.

• You have to live through bad days to ever have the chance to see a good one.

• It may not seem like it in the moment, but things do get better. You just need to keep trying.

• You matter, because there is always a bigger plan, and even the bad moments lead up to the bigger and better picture. Everything happens for a reason, and even if you can’t see the reason now, you will one day.

• You are somebody’s somebody.

• You’re the reason I laughed today.

• You’re the reason I took a little extra time getting ready this morning.

• You are the reason I woke up.

• You may think you don’t mean anything, but to someone, you are their everything.

• We are the future; we decide how things go from here; we can achieve so much together; we can make the world such a beautiful place.

• You are important; you are loved; you are so, so important, and I cannot stress it enough: spread your love and teach others – show others – how much life matters.

• You are enough; you are strong; you can accomplish so much in your time; please do not let others get you down or control you; you are worthy of love and greatness, never forget that.

• You touch more people than you know.

• Our knowledge is unique.

• Our opinions are more tolerant and accepting; they need to be heard.

• Someone needs the care you give.

• You matter.

• Help is there, even if you don’t think you want it.

• You can come back from bad times; don’t choose death.

• Teens see things most adults overlook.

• Teens are still trying to see the good in others.

• Teens listen and absorb everything they hear.

• Teens are aware of what’s happening on social media.

• Teens see the world differently; they see things adults don’t.

• YOU are the reason!

Have a question? Send it to Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski’s email podmj@healthyteens.com.