A Mother's Plea: Recognizing the Signs Before It's Too Late

 Stacy is Justin's mom, and sharing her son's story was incredibly difficult, but it's a story that needs to be heard (Justin (pseudonym) & Stacey (Justin's mother), 2009):

• The scariest part? Stacy admits that she didn't know that Justin had attempted suicide until his school project. It's a harsh reminder of how a
  dept teenagers can hide their pain.

That's why Stacy offers a perspective for parents, educators, and anyone interacting with teens. By recognizing the warning signs, we can intervene before a crisis.

Like Justin's Story, Not Every Cry for Help Is Loud

Justin was sometimes the quiet kid in the back. He was outgoing, even cocky at times. But his behavior shifted. The music he loved changed to something darker. Basketball, his passion, became a chore. Stacy states that she initially attributed it to her separation, something he usually confided in her about. "The Red Flags that I missed" (Justin (pseudonym) & Stacey (Justin's mother), 2009):

1. Changes in interests and hobbies
2. Withdrawal from friends and activities
3. Shift in music preferences
   

These are classic signs, yet they went unnoticed. This is a harsh lesson for all of us: Look beyond the facade and pay attention to subtle changes.

Therapy - A Crucial Step, But Not the End

Therapy seemed promising. Justin opened up to his therapist, and medication offered a glimmer of hope. But then came the bombshell - thoughts of suicide.

When a Parent's Request Isn't Just About One Child

Stacy states that when she asked the school to monitor Justin closely, she was concerned about him, not just him. Stacy offers this insightful information:

•  Bullying can be a vicious cycle. A bully may be struggling just as much. (Justin (pseudonym) & Stacey (Justin's mother), 2009).

Here's what that request translates to for Educators:

1. Open communication: Talk to your students. Create a safe space for them to confide in you.
2. Increased vigilance: Notice changes in behavior, friend groups, and participation.
3. Active intervention: Address bullying immediately. Don't let harmful secrets fester.

The School Community: A Lifeline for Struggling Teens

Schools have a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between students and parents. Here's what a school's cultural curriculum could address:

1. The dangers of keeping secrets:  Encourage students to seek help, not silence their pain.
2. Respecting differences:  Promote acceptance and understanding of diverse identities.
3. Mental health awareness:  Educate students about depression, anxiety, and available resources.

Resources Matter

Schools need readily available resources to help students in crisis:

• School counselors
• Peer support groups
• Crisis hotlines
• Mental health professionals

A Story of Hope and Resilience

Justin's story doesn't end in tragedy. He received the help he needed, and the bullying stopped. Countless others aren't so fortunate. Let's learn from Justin's story. Let's open the dialogue, break the stigma, and ensure every teen feels safe to seek help. Together, we can create a world where no child suffers in silence.

References

Justin (pseudonym), & Stacey (Justin's mother). (2009, December 31). A 15-Year-Old Boy’s Personal Story of Being Bullied & Attempting Suicide [Review of A 15-Year-Old Boy’s Personal Story of Being Bullied & Attempting Suicide]. https://learningcloud.infobase.com/5730/learnit

Pride and the Weight of the World: Holding Space for Complex Emotions

 June is Pride Month, a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ identities, achievements, and the fight for equality. Rainbows flood the streets, parades pulsate with joy, and communities come together to affirm the beauty of who we are.
But for some of us, Pride can feel like a bittersweet symphony. While we celebrate the progress made, the shadow of hardship lingers. You may be living where expressing your identity is a risk. Maybe you're struggling with internalized homophobia, transphobia, or biphobia. Or possibly you've faced rejection from loved ones.

It's Okay to Feel Conflicted

Pride is a powerful movement, but it doesn't erase the daily struggles faced by many within the LGBTQ+ community. Here's How You Can Navigate This Complexity

• Acknowledge your pain.  Don't force yourself to feel happy just because it's Pride. Ignoring your emotions only makes them stronger.
• Find your community.  Even if it's online, connect with others who understand your struggles. Sharing your story can be incredibly validating.
• Celebrate your victories.  Maybe you finally came out to a close friend, or you started hormone therapy. Celebrate these milestones, however small they may seem.
• Focus on self-care.  Dealing with a hostile environment or internal battles takes a toll. Make time for activities that nourish your mind, body, and spirit.

Remember, Pride is a protest, not just a party.  Educate yourself about the history of LGBTQ+ rights movements and find ways to advocate for change, even if it's just within your circle. Pride isn't just about rainbows and glitter. It's about resilience, solidarity, and hope.  Even in the face of hardship, we can celebrate who we are. We see you for those of you leading the fight under challenging circumstances. We celebrate your courage, and we stand with you. Here are some resources that can help:

1. The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 (US)
2. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:  988 (US)
3. International Association for Suicide Prevention: IASP - International Association for Suicide Prevention

Remember, you are not alone. Some people care about you, and there is hope for a brighter future.

Let's celebrate the progress we've made while acknowledging the battles that continue. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels safe and empowered to be themselves.

Can Virtual Reality Help Us Understand Eyewitness Testimony?

 Eyewitness testimony is a cornerstone of criminal justice, but it's not always reliable. Witness memory can be surprisingly faulty, influenced by stress and question phrasing. Psychologists are constantly looking for better ways to understand eyewitness experiences, and a new study by Glomb and colleagues (2023) suggests virtual reality (VR) might be a game-changer. This study compared how people responded to a crime scene filmed: a traditional video and a VR experience. The researchers found that VR made people feel more immersed and "present" in the scene. They also felt a stronger sense of transportation, as if they were there witnessing the crime.

Here's where Things Get Interesting

Glomb and colleagues (2023) found some interesting results:

1. VR and Guilt: People who watched the VR scene felt more guilty afterward. The researchers suggest this might be a "vicarious guilt," like they could have somehow stopped the crime.
2.  Screen vs. VR Emotions: Surprisingly, people who watched the video o
   
   
   n a screen reported feeling more anger and hatred towards the perpetrators. The researchers offer a few reasons for this. Focusing on a limited screen view intensified negative emotions, while VR's broader view allowed for more nuanced feelings.

Limitations and the Road Ahead

The study had limitations. The sample size was small, and they couldn't compare VR to a real-life scenario. Still, the findings are promising for using VR to study eyewitness testimony. Here's what the  Glomb and colleagues (2023) propose for future research:

1. VR vs Real Life: Studies comparing VR to real-life situations would strengthen the case for VR's ecological validity (how well it reflects real-world experiences).
2. More extensive Studies, Better Data: More participants would produce more statistically robust results.
3. Capturing Surprise: Using methods that measure surprise could help researchers understand how VR evokes emotional responses.
   
   
   

Deeper Dives: Going beyond multiple-choice answers and allowing participants to describe their feelings in their own words would provide richer data on VR's emotional impact.VR and Pleasantness: Investigating if the inherent enjoyment of VR itself affects emotional responses is crucial. Based on their study's results, Glomb and colleagues (2023) have suggested that VR can revolutionize understanding eyewitness testimony. By creating a more realistic experience, VR can improve the accuracy of eyewitness accounts and ultimately strengthen the justice system. As VR technology develops, so will our ability to unlock the secrets of human memory and perception.

References

Glomb, K., Piotrowski, P., & Romanowska, I. (2023). It is not real until it feels real: Testing a new method for simulation of eyewitness experience with virtual reality technology and equipment. Behavior Research Methods. [Review of It is not real until it feels real: Testing a new method for simulation of eyewitness experience with virtual reality technology and equipment. Behavior Research Methods.]. Behavior Research Methods. Research Gate. http://dx.doi.org/10.3758/s13428-023-02186-2