Before You Say Goodbye...

What could be better than to live in a beautiful home, just blocks from sand and sea? To graduate from one of the finest high schools in the country?

To work summers as a lifeguard, protecting lives every day? To have a future in one of the richest countries on the planet? To be young, good-looking, intelligent, and physically fit?

What could be better?

Mental health.

So many of us live in wonderful circumstances, so much to enjoy, yet have so much difficulty getting through each day—and keeping it a secret.

I learned of such a person among us. And I wrote about him once before in Suicide, Pain, and Power.

But the subject is so important that I revisited it to update you on a brave family’s fortitude in maintaining that power.

For those of you who think life is too overwhelming to continue, please know that as we age, things change: your peers will change, your circumstances will change, and you will change.

Many of my brothers and sisters on this planet, of a certain age, know this to be true; you’ve lived it. Just as I did. We’ve been through rough seas. And now life is much better.

Young people of Long Beach, in the future, doors will appear for you to open that you didn’t even know existed.

You may develop talents and skills that you had no prior hint you possessed. Perhaps a latent aptitude in art or writing where you may bring more beauty and love into this life that you know so sorely needs it.

You may even someday help one or two others persevere through their storms of life.

You might love and un-love, and love again.

I, for one, could not be happier, especially so in contrast to my past, as a teen and even later.

There is help to get you through tough times. For those of you who might know someone who could use that help, don’t be afraid to offer it. Or at least guide and support them to seek better help than you can provide.

My young Long Beach travelers, please place your trust in your parents or, if you prefer, your high school guidance counselors or psychologists. You have so much to gain, and sadly, way too much to lose.

As do we who love you.

To all of my fellow citizens of Long Beach, young and those more sea-soned.

To those across America, if this note reaches far enough, wherever you may be, please see my essay: Before You Say Goodbye…

Be well,

Leebythesea