I recently came across a video that left me heartbroken and disturbed. In it, a trans person—presenting as a young woman—was speaking to her parents about her body, about how much she hated it. The pain in her voice was palpable as she explained that something, or someone, had convinced her that the solution was to "go digital." She wanted to escape her body and become something beyond physical, something entirely virtual.
Her parents, clearly shocked and devastated, tried to process what she was saying. At one point, they even asked, "So you want to kill yourself?" She quickly responded, "No, I will be digital," as if being digital meant she could exist without the pain she felt in her current body. It was a gut-wrenching moment, a window into the deep confusion, anguish, and pressure that many young people feel today.
It’s impossible to ignore the role the internet, social media, and even Big Pharma play in shaping our perceptions of ourselves, especially among the younger generation. Kids today are growing up bombarded by images, ideals, and advertisements that tell them they’re not good enough, that they need to change or “fix” themselves to be accepted. It’s no wonder that so many of them feel lost or broken.
When COVID hit, and schools closed, the isolation only worsened for many kids. With no face-to-face socialization, they turned to the internet for connection, guidance, and a sense of belonging. But what they often found online was a toxic mix of impossible standards and quick fixes—messages that made them feel even more alienated from their true selves.
The person in the video seemed to be reaching for something beyond their pain, something they believed would offer them an escape from the body they couldn’t stand to live in. But the reality is that no amount of technology or medical intervention can replace the need for deep emotional care, compassion, and understanding. The drive to become "digital" may have been a metaphor for wanting to escape this world—a world where they felt trapped and misunderstood.
This story also hits close to home for me. Someone in my own family, who was trans, took their life. The loss has stayed with me, and I see the same pain in others who are struggling with their identities. The pressure to fit into a world that doesn't always accept or understand them is too much for some, and I worry every day for those I love who may be facing similar battles.
As a society, we need to do more than just offer medical solutions or push people to conform to certain ideals. We need to listen—truly listen—to the cries for help. We need to provide safe spaces for our youth to express their struggles without fear of judgment or ridicule. And we need affordable mental health care, not just for those who can afford it, but for everyone, because no one should feel like their only option is to leave their body behind.
If you're reading this and you're struggling, know that you're not alone. There are people who care, even when it feels like the world is pushing you in directions you don't want to go. You are enough as you are, and your life matters, in any form it takes.
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Ending Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or a mental health professional. There are also hotlines available for immediate support:
Here are the emergency numbers and helplines for British Columbia, Canada, the US, and Mexico:
British Columbia, Canada
Crisis Centre of BC:
Phone: 1-800-784-2433
Website: Crisis Centre of BC
Kids Help Phone:
Phone: 1-800-668-6868
Text: Text CONNECT to 686868
Website: Kids Help Phone
Canada (National)
Talk Suicide Canada:
Phone: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7)
Text: 45645 (4 PM – 12 AM Eastern Time)
Website: Talk Suicide Canada
United States
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
Phone: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) (24/7)
Website: suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Crisis Text Line:
Text: HOME to 741741 (24/7)
Website: Crisis Text Line
Mexico
SAPTEL (Servicio de Apoyo Psicológico a Distancia):
Phone: 800-472-7835 (24/7)
Website: SAPTEL (Click on "SAPTEL" for more info)
National Suicide Prevention Helpline:
Phone: 800-911-2000 (24/7)
If you or anyone you know needs immediate help, please don’t hesitate to reach out to these resources. They are there to provide support and assistance.
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