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When student writes bleak message on restroom wall, classmates respond with heartfelt support

4 min read

Better Society
Source: Facebook/HannahBlackman

An anonymous cry for help scribbled on a bathroom wall inspired a wave of encouraging messages in a Colorado high school, and the responses soon spread from that wall to the internet as students seek out ways to support each other.

The worrisome question implies a bleak outlook

The question read, "Is life worth all the Bullsh*t?" — Golden High School English teacher Ashley Ferraro spotted the message in the girls’ bathroom last week. She immediately encouraged her students to respond with their own supportive words written on sticky notes and posted on that bathroom wall.

‘I walked into the bathroom today during my 3rd period english class and when i saw this my jaw dropped. somebody wrote on the wall “is life worth all the bullshit?” we see these things written on walls and our first reaction is “well let’s wash it off that’s vandalism” but some people took the time out of their day to write on sticky notes about why their life is worth it. This absolutely made my day and gave me a little more hope for our generations happiness. it really shows how much love can be shared by a small act of kindness. i think we can all work on a small act of kindness everyday, i’m writing my sticky note right now?how about you? #spreadawareness #suicideprevention
Golden High School Student Hannah Blackman posted to Facebook: ‘I walked into the bathroom today during my 3rd period english class and when i saw this my jaw dropped. somebody wrote on the wall “is life worth all the bullshit?” we see these things written on walls and our first reaction is “well let’s wash it off that’s vandalism” but some people took the time out of their day to write on sticky notes about why their life is worth it. This absolutely made my day and gave me a little more hope for our generations happiness. it really shows how much love can be shared by a small act of kindness. i think we can all work on a small act of kindness everyday, i’m writing my sticky note right now?how about you? #spreadawareness #suicideprevention Source: Facebook/HannahBlackman
School officials plan to move the notes to a hallway so more students can paste messages.
More than 50 notes now surround that desperate question. School officials plan to move the notes to a hallway so more students can paste messages. Source: Facebook/HannahBlackman

The love will be spreading to the rest of the school when the sticky notes are moved to the hallway

Earlier this month at Golden High School in Denver, Colorado, English teacher Ashley Ferraro noticed the bleak message in the girls’ bathroom. Ferraro immediately encouraged other students to respond with their own supportive words written on sticky notes and posted on that bathroom wall. More than 50 notes now surround that desperate question.

"It provided an opportunity to help someone in pain," Ferraro told CNN.

One note reads: "Yes, because you will find love in your future…in yourself…and in your favorite things to do and the small things in life." Another says: "Life is worth it because even if it’s bad there is always a good. We were all put here for a reason, we all go through something tough. It always gets better."

Source: CNN

One note reads: “Yes, because you will find love in your future…in yourself…and in your favorite things to do and the small things in life.” Source: CNN/AshleyFerraro

A Loving Answer

"I was really impressed with how many kids participated," the English teacher said. "And the ones you would never expect to participate… did."

The love will be spreading throughout the rest of the school when the sticky notes are moved to the hallway, so others can join the conversation prompted by the question.

"My hope is that it isn’t such an isolated feeling — so people don’t think they’re the only ones feeling that way and to reach out for help," Ferraro told CNN. She relishes working with the type of kids who see another student in pain — and choose to help.

Source: CNN

According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for teenagers.
Outpourings of love and hope: According to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for teenagers. Source: CNN/AshleyFerraro

Spreading Messages of Hope

Golden High student Hannah Blackman is helping spread the hope beyond the school’s walls. "When I saw the sticky notes, I thought it would be something amazing to start a movement. I figured I could use social media to spread the word even further about suicide prevention and giving help to those that need it."

The sophomore launched a Facebook campaign that raises money for Suicide Prevention and Crisis services.

"Since this kind of thing written on a bathroom wall is considered ‘vandalism,’ it’s hard to find a gray area of what we should respond to and what we should ignore," Blackman told CNN. " I think it’s always — always– important to reach out and see if anybody needs help or even just a small act of kindness like the sticky notes."

Source: CNN

THIS SCHOOL TEACHES CHILDREN ABOUT THE HUGE IMPACT A SMALL ACT OF KINDNESS CAN HAVE

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