#BeKind

Never, ever assume you know how someone else is feeling, or what they’re going through. We’re all guilty of if, even if we tell ourselves we don’t. We can’t second guess what’s going on with someone unless they want to tell us. The sad news of the death of Caroline Flack at the weekend has shaken so many of us, despite not knowing her. So young, and hounded by the media, maybe she just couldn’t do it anymore. No-one will ever really know what was going on in her head, but the media and social media played their part in bringing her down.

So many others, that are not famous, have felt the same way, and ended their lives, leaving their loved ones behind to pick up the pieces. When will it end? Caroline is not the first person in the public eye to take her own life, and I’m pretty sure that she won’t be the last. No-one, whoever they may be, deserves to be treated this way, and reach a point where they have nowhere left to turn, no-one to talk to. What’s happened to humanity? Why not help each other, instead of destroying people for making mistakes. We’re all human aren’t we?

Online trolling needs to stop now. We should always think before we speak or write, those horrible words can cause pain and cut deeper than you may ever realise. Why does it have to take a tragedy to make us realise this? I hope that out of something so sad, that good things can come. The need to tackle online bullying, public humiliation, fake news and trolling has never been more important.  Mental illness, suicide and trial by the media is claiming too many lives. We need to be kinder as a society. If you are struggling, please talk to someone, anyone. There is always someone that loves you. Life is precious, too short and one person can only take so much. The tiniest act of kindness can save a life.