Social Media & Mental Health - Social media's prominence contributes to individuals feeling uncomfortable in their own skin, leading to comparisons and a sense of inadequacy [2] - Suicide rates among teenagers in countries like Taiwan, Singapore, and the US have doubled or tripled, becoming a leading cause of death, coupled with doubled depression rates over the last decade [3] - Overstimulation of the brain and excessive information intake lead individuals to compare themselves to unrealistic standards, fostering self-doubt [10] - Approximately half of people globally identify more with self-doubt than self-love, with the percentage closer to 60% for teenagers [11] Relationships & Connections - Social media has inadvertently caused shallower relationships due to a lack of time and dedication for self-reflection, replaced by comparisons to unrealistic standards [4] - A lack of character building and social skills, such as reading people, due to excessive screen time reduces the number of real friends individuals are able to have [7] - The absence of deep connections and real friends can lead to feelings of loneliness, emotional distress, and depression [8] Solutions & Recommendations - Taking initiative to foster meaningful connections can lead to a sense of accomplishment and the relearning of skills necessary for a satisfactory life [8] - Engaging in activities like volunteer work allows individuals to interact with the community, share experiences, and become more compassionate [12] - Self-imposed isolation can be beneficial for self-reflection and personal growth, allowing individuals to propel themselves to new heights [13] - Being comfortable in one's own skin and not being afraid of being alone enhances the value of social interactions and builds self-confidence [14]

[Music] [Applause] Yeah, that's a six-year-old me, a young man that had no idea what life's journey was all about and how precious it actually is. If you don't mind, I'd like to read a short short poem uh that I made shortly after my first suicide attempt. It's entitled I'm just a number. I'm just a number. I breathe. I seek. I blunder. I'm just a number. I fall. I hurt. I wonder. I'm just a number. I've loved. I've lived. I'll die. But Lord knows I've tried to be more than just a number. In 1984, I was an ...

Oh yes, I remember. Now I have to I have to give you guys a trigger warning for this one. Uh this talk does contain notes of suicide, depression, more severe things.That's why it was so important to bring it up. I'm like, why am I not remembering. Yeah.So if anyone is uncomfortable with any of that, you can take a step out now. Okay, really good. Okay, so yes, um this is not a very light topic.So afterwards we are going to talk about it, but I think it's one that's very important. Uh so give it up for me El ...