Ashley Croban
Bio
I'm Ashley, a 23-year-old chem student from New Jersey. I am a lover of poetry and animals of all shapes and sizes. I think it's important to want to know more about each other and strive to understand.
Stories (3/0)
Suicide Contagion
Suicidal behavior is complex; many factors lead to someone taking their own life, some of which are almost impossible to do anything about as an outsider looking in. These factors include adverse life events followed by deep depression. Often, a person already experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings may be pushed over the edge by a phenomenon known as suicide contagion. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines suicide contagion as the exposure to suicide or suicidal behaviors within one's family or peer group or through media reports of suicide that can result in an increase in suicide as well as suicidal behaviors. Contagion comes in clusters - suicides that occur close together, whether in time or location. Contagion is an increasingly severe issue that can be prevented only through education. To safely protect potential “victims,” we must understand where the exposure is coming from, reasons people contemplate suicide, and how to approach someone who may be suicidal. With so many personality suicides being prominently displayed, contagion turns self-destruction into more than just an idea.
By Ashley Croban3 years ago in Psyche
Our Secret Spot
June 2018 (21 years old at the time of writing) “Kel, that’s not how you do it!” I cautioned him “Who cares? I’m going faster than you!” my brother responds snarkily, laughing as he runs off in an awkward sort of tip-toe manner. And there we were, learning to skate for the first time. We don’t remember how we got there or who else was present. Still, I’ll never forget the happiness and security my brother and I shared that evening. Kelvin and I have always looked to each other for confidence, and it seemed we had found a safe place to talk about our lives and laugh about our struggles. The combination of disco lights, buzzing and blaring from the arcade games, and the rink DJ spinning the hottest tracks of 2008 was enough noise to drown out our voices. We had to experience this elation again. My brother began mowing lawns to earn a little cash, and I the same through domestic duties. Once we had been able to save consistently enough, we’d run off to the roller rink once, sometimes twice a month. From my mother’s divorce to her remarriage, and then the birth of our younger sister. Through our parents leaving to serve overseas, splitting us into different homes in the process. The rink was where we could escape together. Plans and dreams were thought up there because no one could tell us our hopes were foolish. The roller rink was our secret spot.
By Ashley Croban3 years ago in Families
I Talk Too Much About My Problems
I talk too much about my problems. Everyone has issues, and it feels great to express the feelings that come with them. However, I’ve found myself giving up on my rants once I realized I’m talking in circles. Way better than I used to be, but still catching myself combatting solutions by restating the problem. It goes back and forth like this until I’m so frustrated I cry. Sadness, disappointment, and discontent feel like the only appropriate emotions these days. To put it clearly, I think I’m addicted to negativity.
By Ashley Croban3 years ago in Motivation
