Dubai: Suicide is never the answer. This is the message 15-year-old Nouf Ismail wants to send across to depressed teens with her first work of fiction ‘Tomorrow’s A New Day.’
The young Emirati portrays the universally acknowledged but often misunderstood reality of teenage depression through the eyes of a protagonist called Lindsay. Tackling cyber bullying, social prejudice, and depression, the novel speaks out not only to teens but to their parents about the emotional hurdles of adolescence.
“I want depressed teens to understand that suicide is never the answer and that they’re never alone — they just have to wait and things will change,” Nouf told Gulf News.
In her book, Lindsay’s story of a teenage girl’s hope for renewal emphasises the concept that every action has a reaction and therefore a consequence.
Keeping her every thought in her diary — her only companion — Lindsay’s depression and self-dejection is made public after her teacher reads her journal and tells other students her story.
“The story talks about how cyber bullying made Lindsay think that the only solution is suicide,” said Nouf.
She explained that the book’s series of events also discusses the influence and impact parents have on their children, and how teenagers are affected by love — or the lack of love they receive. “It’s a story of love, loss and pain.”
While Lindsay’s character is fictional, Nouf also drew on several personal experiences that she and other girls her age often have to deal with.
“I want readers to understand my story and get people to realise what their words can do to others — my story presents a more realistic view of things, and if it hasn’t’ happened to anyone yet, it might,” she said.
Opening a portal into the psychology of teenage depression, the author highlights a social issue affecting societies around the world, and its affects on the new generation. Vividly describing accounts of devastation, self-inflicted pain and loss of faith, she also attempts to inspire help from members of the society who can provide expert counsel.
Nouf, who attends Al Maarifa International Private School in Sharjah, published her first novel in July 2014 through a UK-based self-publishing service provider called Xilbris UK.
Currently working on her second book, a sequel to her first novel, Nouf said she will continue to try and change the world through powerful messages in her writing.
Nouf’s depiction of the issue of teenage depression and suicide comes with a plea — to be understood and to allow for mutual respect.
