_{First off, let me just state that I hope this is suitable news and that I've put it in the right topic.}

I write this article in response to the positive comments I've recieved on a comic I've drawn recently. Based on these responses, I thought that perhaps more people would appreciate hearing my.. opinion.
A few days ago, I learnt that someone who went to my school had commited suicide. I don't know who the person is; I don't even know what he looks like. I'm not particularly sad for these reasons. I don't know WHEN he took his life- I heard he went home during lunch and did it, although other people said they heard about it in the morning.
Apparently, he seemed fine yesterday. I told a friend who said that that he must be a good actor. To be suffering inside enough to decide to end your life.. To apparently seem "fine", they must of tried hard to pretend to be happy.

I guess I just wanted to get this view out. I believe that, as lame as it may sound, everything you do changes your future. If you were to step in a different direction your life would be different to if you had stepped somewhere else.
Therefore, I believe simple acts impact someones life. You may unwittingly do something someone will remember for a long time. Someone may see you and remember you for whatever reason.
Therefore, although it's hypocritical for me to say so (and if you've read any of my angsty journals, you'll understand why I say that), I don't think anyone should consider themselves "unimportant", or "not needed".
Take for example a band that is unpopular and canned by critics- they will always have at least ONE fan.
Or, for use of the example in the comic; say you're waiting at the lights to cross. The cars have to stop for you, according to law and so that you can get across. For whatever reason, good or bad; slowing them down or even allowing them to finish listening to their favorite song on the radio, you've impacted their life. Some may remember you because of something you did, something you wore. Some may forget you. You never know. But you have changed their life, no matter how small a difference it's made.

I hope my message is clear. Suicide doesn't solve problems and it doesn't make anything happier. If you're dead, you can't ever experience happiness you may of experienced if you lived a day longer. If you're dead, people definately have no need for you.
Um.. if you feel depressed or such, remember that there's always someone you can talk to; always. Whether it's friends or family, a councellor or even someone on the internet. Don't ever think that no one will understand. Believe me, telling someone, or addressing the problem- such as feeling that someone may be rejecting you- is the best way to do it. Suicide only brings pain to other people; people that maybe you think you'd help by killing yourself.

So, again, I hope this helps people. I truly hope this will give people a different view on life; remember, things aren't hopeless. I understand that there are some cases where speaking to family isn't an option, but talking to someone really does help. You'll feel much better.

The comic mentioned above can be found here:

=Cool-Vin