Dear Unhappy Teenager,

I know you. I know that you think I don’t know you – I mean how could I? We’ve never even met. And yet, I do know you. I know the types of things you’re going through right now. I know that you’re in pain. I know that you feel anguish, that you feel embarrassment, that you feel anger, despair, rage. Sure, I couldn’t say for certain what those problems are. I couldn’t say that I’ve experienced those exact same problems. But I can tell you this: I’ve felt your pain. I’ve felt that same certainty of hopelessness. I’ve cut my skin with broken glass, just so that I could bleed. I’ve smashed my fist into a mirror and I’ve banged my head against a wall.

And yes, I know that it sucks. I know that right now, life sucks. I know that you think it won’t get better. I know that whatever it is that you’re going through feels like it will last forever. It feels like it will continue to matter – always. It feels as though this is what defines you as a person.

But you need to know something. It does not define you. And it will not continue to matter. One day, in a month, in a year, in two years or in ten, the things that you are going through right now will cease to matter. In fact, some moments will be forgotten. Others you will remember, sure. Or perhaps certain feelings may linger, around the ghost of a memory. But the pain and the hurt will fade. I know this. I know this because it is a fact of life thattime heals all.

And here’s what scares me most of all. Right now, while you’re going through all of this shit, you think that there’s only one option. You think that there is just one way out. You think that you can stop the pain, that you can prove something to those that are hurting you. You think that you have the answer. And you need to know – that what you’re thinking of doing, that the frightening solution that has crossed your mind – is not the answer. It is NEVER the answer.

As I write this, I wonder if I will be able to impress upon you the importance of this fact. If I will be able to convince you that suicide is not the answer. If I will be able to force you to see reason. And maybe ‘force’ is the wrong word, because perhaps then I am just another person, telling you what to do, attempting to control your life. Perhaps you will want to rebel against me.Who the fuck are you? you’ll ask. You don’t know what’s happening in my life. You don’t know my reasons. And I’ll answer you like this: I love the fight that is in you right now. I love that you want to challenge me. I love that you are strong. So use that strength. Stand back up. Fight for your place in this world. You have as much right as anyone else to be a part of it. I know it’s hard. I’ve been there. I’ve had those dark thoughts. I’ve considered the unthinkable. But I didn’t take that step. I held on. And can I tell you, it was worth it.

Because who knows what might take place in your future? Who knows what amazing things there are for you to look forward to? If you leave this world, you will never know what might have been. The kick-ass career you might have. Those children you may one day raise. The mind-blowing sex you could share with a loving partner. The places you might see. The things you will learn. The things you will teach.

There’s another part of you, isn’t there? Another part of you that whispers, But maybe if I do this, maybe if I die, those cowards who are bullying me will pay. They will feel guilt. If I give them what they want, they’ll regret what they’ve done. No. This is wrong. It won’t work. And I’ll tell you why. Those dickheads who are treating you like this, who are sending you horrific messages via whatever form of social media you use – those complete fucking morons will not learn from your actions. Because those issues that they’re pushing onto you are in fact nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. And you will feel no satisfaction. Because you will feel nothing. Because you will be gone. And the only ones to feel anything will be those that love you. They will feel pain. They will feel anger and they will feel regret. And they don’t deserve that – because chances are, if they love you, then you love them too.

And you don’t deserve to go. Because it is simply not your time yet.

Stay and see what could be. Stay and experience the world.