For several days now, there has been much discussion about the phenomenon known as "The Blue Whale", which originated in Russia and has spread to several countries. The objective of this phenomenon, which has begun to go viral, is to contact adolescents through social media, threaten them, and incite them to carry out a series of challenges that culminate in suicide. Unfortunately, there are already several cases of adolescents who have lost their lives, and the link between these suicides and the "Blue Whale" challenge is currently being investigated.
We are aware, however, that there are various factors at play when determining whether an individual becomes involved in these challenges. Not all of us will be convinced by a message received through social media challenging us to harm ourselves. Adolescence is a stage of change, of self-discovery, of finding out who you are and achieving social inclusion, and peers play a fundamental role in this process. It is also a time when some individuals will be more tempted to challenge the rules than others. It is a stage of vulnerability, due to all the changes we undergo, but this vulnerability, like everything in life, is accentuated by a series of psychosocial factors that affect us. It is not the same to be an adolescent in Europe as it is in Peru, nor is it the same in an environment of poverty and violence as it is in one of economic stability and tranquility, and we could continue with many other variables.
At this point, I ask myself: what would happen if a person in a severely vulnerable emotional state is contacted to carry out these challenges? Yes, not all of us will respond in the same way, but there are factors that can increase the likelihood of a response, especially when we speak of individuals with depression (and we know that there are nearly two million in Peru). People with strong emotional conflicts, depressive states, and a lack of family support are definitely at greater risk in the face of this type of phenomenon. And this is just one example of some individuals who may be more vulnerable, but there are certainly many more.
It is our responsibility as a society to take action on these issues, to reflect on our vulnerabilities, but also on our strengths and how we can use them to combat this reality. Let us start at home: let us inform our acquaintances, family members, and friends about this phenomenon. Let us remain vigilant and willing to help and lend a hand to those in need, every day and even more so in the context in which we find ourselves.
#EveryoneForMentalHealth
