Averie's Suicide Letter

Statement of Intent:

Everyone has heard the story of depression before. But sadly many people in today’s society glorify or say it's a form of attention. Over 10% of Americans suffer from depression and 1% are between the ages of 10-18. It’s common to see this in the lives of teenagers and it’s common to hear their suicide story, but not as common to understand why they committed it. But what’s hardest to understand about their suicides, are why the happiest of people are the ones who commit suicide. Through the story that theme is explained vividly, even the happiest of people is struggling to conquer demons within themselves.

The main literary tools I used were: conflict and dialogue. The narrative goes between Averie’s suicide letter
Happiness, bliss, excitement, love, thrill, fear, heartbreak, but there is one word that stood strong beneath each of those, depression. It is sad to think, that what everyone had failed to see was, that behind all the laughter and that smile of mine, was a darkness with so much depth it engulfed me. The only one who had ever known was the girl that was like a sister to me, Elena. We had battled depression together for years, she was the one who won her battle…I did not. I could not, it had become the taunting, relentless, and negative voice that would keep me up every night and the one that would scream at me everyday. The tears that would stain my pillowcase and the reason I have hid behind a mask since I’d been ten years old. Slowly everyday that truly happy girl everyone would know, became the happy girl everyone knew. Only if they had known, I could not ever figure out why it had clouded my thoughts, killed my happiness, and took complete control of my life. But no one would ever know, because I was able to go through those days with a smile so bright, no one would question if I was okay or not. The truth is I wasn’t, everything inside of me was tumbling down and
I'm sure no one noticed I hadn't shown. Elena was the only one who’d come to see me everyday and ask if I was okay. I'd always reply, “I’m just tired,” or “I’m not feeling good today.” I never forced myself to smile anymore, because I would end up breaking down and crying again. I felt so worthless, it was beginning to feel like I couldn’t hold on anymore. I missed the happy girl who was always looking for adventure and had a bright outlook on life, what happened to her? She was long ago silenced by the empty screaming my pillow would endure every night. Staying up until three in the morning used to be something I would live for. Partying and hanging out with friends until day break. But those too were silenced by sleepless nights of nothing, because the nightmares I dreamt about evolved into my reality. But in a sick way, the darkness had been the one place I could feel peaceful. There were no lights, no sounds, no emotions, and when I screamed everything I have held inside of me, the darkness never judged. I started to feel the depression take over me; mind, body, and soul. I never felt hungry, or thirsty, any and all emotions long ago left me; I just felt numb. This was not a way to live, there is nothing but a hollow shell that was once my body, now only occupied by a lifeless