Suicide and The Impact It Has on Our World | Joshua Velasquez | TEDxYouth@BrowningSchool

This talk is about suicide and the impact it has on our world. Joshua Velasquez thinks it is important to talk about suicide because talking about it shows others that, even though suicide is considered taboo, talking about it can save a life. Most youths are afraid to seek help or talk about suicide because they are scared of the judgment it'll bring. If we can educate people on the issue, we can create a safe space for individuals seeking help. It has been shown that our youth is willing to talk to friends and family about depression and suicidal thoughts rather than a professional therapist. They feel most comfortable with people they know and see on a regular basis. Velasquez shows people that it is ok to talk about suicide and why its important these tough topics are discussed more openly. Josh Velasquez a recent college graduate from The University of Arizona who is a passionate and persistent man who desires to see the world better then he entered it. His greatest passion is people. Celebrating people, mentoring people and listening and responding to their needs. A man who is dedicated to living out loud, Josh has used his life as a living and breathing example. Coming out of the closet in a very public way catapulted Josh into the path of a mentor to many questioning and scared youth. He stepped up to the challenge and now is a beacon for many LGBTQ youth. On his free time he loves to swim, travel and writes for several media outlets including Beverly Hills Lifestyle Magazine, where he is a travel and adventure writer. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx