What is a legend? It is usually someone known, especially in a unique field. Jack Martin, a 13 year- old teen who completed suicide in January 2020 was described by over 200 friends and classmates through letters as being a legend. He was the mediator between the underdog and the bully. He wanted to make everyone happy. He tried to de-escalate negative situations.
Jack Martin was also optimistic. While making his first YouTube video he hoped to get 5 million views or maybe 2 ½ million.
I have not met the Martin family, but I have watched the YouTube video,” We Lost Jack Inside of 4 Minutes” which shows a vignette of Jack and his love and caring for people. I have gone to the Operation Jack’s Village web-site page and read about the family’s desire to educate this generation of young people the value of getting involved in community services, particularly community services that will impact children and teen lives at places where they visit. Simple things like organizing teen groups of volunteers to help clean up skate parks, pick up trash, plant trees or other relatable places children and teens may congregate.
This community service is not just about educating youth about the benefits of community services but also a way to educate children, teens, and families about suicide. It is for all youth to get involved to learn about respect and community in real time.
These days there is too much oversharing on social media outlets. Communicating feelings on-line is not taken seriously. Teens and younger children write on social media streams statements like, “ I wish I could die instead of going to school”. Such posts are followed with a thumbs up or a smiley emoji from “friends”.
When will suicidal thoughts be taken seriously and not shaken off as a joke on social media?
Dr. Rahul N. Mehra mentions in the “We Lost Jack Inside of 4 Minutes”video, “Suicide It is not a social or moral weakness of character”.
That quote is evidenced by the strength of the Martin family, and how quickly they came together to effect change. As written on the Operationjacksvillage.org website, “It takes One to start change, and it takes an Army to continue the movement”.
There is a saying, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” This is confirmed by the fortitude of the Martin family and how Jack ran toward helping children and teens with the desire to improve the world.
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