CDC released some scary stats on teenage girls 💔
If you’re struggling, please reach out. I’m here for you. ❤️
The past two years have been some of the most challenging of my life. Around the time I thought I had “made it,” everything came crashing down.
Two years ago, on my birthday of all days, my divorce was finalized. 🎂💔 Talk about a bittersweet gift. It left me in a difficult financial position—taking on most of the debt and giving up the majority of the assets. But I worked hard, stayed afloat, and started to rebuild.
About eight months later, when things finally felt stable, I lost $100,000 on a project gone bad. 📉Rising lumber costs and increased interest rates turned it upside down. It was the first (and only) property I’ve ever lost money on. Once again, I found myself fighting to stay on top of bills and fulfill my responsibilities as a full-time dad.
I climbed my way back up, only to face another setback—a near-fatal car accident. 🚙💥 It put me out physically, drained me financially with medical bills, and forced me to replace my vehicle.
These challenges tested me in every way, but they also taught me invaluable lessons. I’m incredibly grateful for the love and support of the people in my corner. 💛 There are parts of my past that no one should have to go through, but those experiences have shaped me. God has used them to mold me into the man I am today and the man He needs me to become.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
💡 Life can knock you down, but you always have the choice to get back up.
💡 Kindness matters—you don’t know what battles others are fighting.
💡 And most importantly, don’t just sit around feeling sorry for yourself. Be productive, and don’t be a little bitch.
Keep going. You’re stronger than you think. 💪🏼
#CheckInOnYourPeople #BeKindAlways #staystrong #GodsPlan #keepgoing
After reading the truly alarming CDC report about the state of mental health among teenage girls, it really makes you pause and think. The statistics are jarring: nearly 3 in 5 U.S. teen girls felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021, a huge jump. And the numbers around violence and suicide risk are just as heartbreaking, with a significant percentage seriously considering or even planning suicide. It's a stark reminder that beneath the surface, many young people are fighting incredibly tough battles. I think about my own journey through unexpected hardships—the finalization of my divorce on my birthday, the unexpected financial hit from a project gone wrong, and then a terrifying car accident that left me physically and financially drained. Each time, it felt like everything was crashing down. While the experiences of a teenage girl facing sadness or a sense of hopelessness are different from adult struggles, the feeling of being overwhelmed, lost, and unsupported can be universal. It really highlights why we need to pay closer attention to what our young people are going through. So, what’s contributing to this crisis? The report and many experts point to multiple factors. Social media, which the OCR content even highlighted, often gets mentioned. While it can connect us, it also creates immense pressure for perfection, comparison, and can be a breeding ground for cyberbullying. Academic pressure, body image issues, relationship complexities, and even the lingering effects of global events can all pile up, making it harder for teens to cope. It's not just one thing, but a whole confluence of pressures that can lead to increased stress and mental health challenges. For any teen girl out there reading this, please know that you are not alone in feeling this way. It’s okay not to be okay. Just like I learned to claw my way back from significant setbacks, you too have an immense capacity for resilience. My biggest takeaway was: 'Life can knock you down, but you always have the choice to get back up.' This isn't just a platitude; it's a truth I lived. Finding that strength starts with small steps. First, reach out. The original article emphasized, 'If you’re struggling, please reach out. I’m here for you.' This isn't just about professional help—though that's incredibly important and accessible through school counselors, therapists, or helplines like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s also about talking to a trusted friend, a family member, a teacher, or a coach. Sharing your burden can lighten it significantly. Second, consider your self-care. In a world that constantly demands your attention, especially online, taking time for yourself is vital. This could mean getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food, finding a physical activity you enjoy, or simply unplugging from social media for a few hours each day. These small habits build a foundation of well-being that can help you weather the storms. Finally, remember the power of kindness. My journey taught me that 'Kindness matters—you don’t know what battles others are fighting.' This applies both to yourself and to those around you. Be kind to yourself when you're struggling, and extend that same empathy to your peers. A kind word, a listening ear, or just a simple check-in can make a world of difference to someone who feels isolated. We all have a role to play in fostering a supportive environment. These CDC statistics are a wake-up call, but they don't have to be a sentence. They can be a catalyst for change, for more conversations, and for more support. Keep going. You're stronger than you think, and there's always hope for brighter days ahead. We're in this together.
