We are given a voice so we can be heard, not to be mute. When the time comes for us to speak out, silence is often the more comfortable route. With some situations, staying silent rather than declaring the truth can lead to more consequential results. Teenager sometimes blur the boundaries between serious and unimportant situations. There was a current event with a 13-year-old Freedom student associating with an older man. He sent inappropriate messages, which led him to asking for inappropriate actions. Another event that hit close to home for some people is the recent suicide of a teenage girl in Beaver Falls. Students don’t always realize the importance of speaking out against something like being molested. The friends of the victims can be a huge help to their friend and community. Very few signs of inappropriate actions inflicted on a minor are visible to the naked eye, but depression, unusual anger and increased irritability are the most common. Indicators of suicide are similar, but the most obvious are isolation from family and friends, withdrawal and discussions of suicide. Warning signs of suicide aren’t always obvious, so the friends of a troubled teen may be the only people who have the opportunity to see what’s actually going on. The signs will almost always be there, whether they choose to notice to them or not. High school students occasionally come across as teenagers who enjoy crying wolf on Facebook to get attention about serious matters. It becomes hard to decipher if they are being serious or not. Even in doubt, it is best to speak up. Begin with talking to that person who may have said something that alerted you. You could even talk to a trusted teacher, parent or guidance counselor. Many times the adult will know what to do when you don’t. We show empathy towards that person, and it is best to find them help. Human beings are compassionate, so when they see that someone could be in danger, it worries them. Many individuals don’t do anything because they hope another person will. Be that hero who says something, because someone else might not be there to do it for you. This is time that specifically teenagers need to speak up. When someone is making all the bad choices, and someone else knows, it’s not wise to let them continue down their path of destruction. Saving a life is more than just rushing to someone in their time of need; it’s knowing to say something when the rest of the world is silent.