Young people are being found in rivers, and we cannot remain indifferent to this—it's a signal to all of us and a shared responsibility. I fully understand that a young, developing person can feel saddened and frightened by a world that, let’s admit, is often unjust or even disgusting. Each of us must take responsibility to show those around us that even in a harsh world, there are people who can be trusted. And when such people exist, a world worth believing in begins to take shape.

Everything starts and ends with our own determination—to be honest partners, understanding parents, open friends, and fair colleagues is each of our duties. We live in a society dominated by the "look out for yourself" principle, and we are paying the price for it.

I have gone through very difficult phases in my life, and I overcame them only because I was inspired by genuine people. People who don’t care about how much someone else earns, people who remain honest even when no one is watching, people who don’t ask questions that make you uncomfortable, people who are interested in you not because you’re useful but because you’re simply you.

Let’s try to be like that, at least sometimes. It might inspire someone to keep living.

(Benas Lastauskas)

MY STORY

Last year, I lost my mum. A second stroke hit her hard and after a week in a coma, her heart stopped forever. This year my mum's partner died by taking away hes own life. He hanged oneself in their home.

A very close friend of mine was just a little girl - around the same as my daughter, who is eight now - when her dad jumped in front of the train and left this world . Left her in pain and grief that has stayed with her for the rest of her life.

It is so heartbreaking when people make those decisions. Maybe if someone had helped them, they would still be here with us.

I have been there myself, and someone helped me. I want to help and support those who have stopped seeing the colors in their lives and started feeling like they don’t belong here anymore.

I will be participating in my first-ever marathon in Manchester on April 27, 2025. It’s going to be a massive challenge for me, but I’m determined to complete it to prove that mental health matters.

I would greatly appreciate all of your support to help me achieve this goal.

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