The topic of suicide.

[Fran101]

because depression clouds judgement. The majority of those calling the hotlines and thinking of taking their own lives aren't doing it in the calm state of mind of "I just want to opt out of life please" they are doing it because they are depressed and see no other option/silver lining. Not because there isn't one but because they can't see it. That's what depression does.

If suicide was seen as an okidoki perfectly fine option.. people would take their own lives and think of their lives as meaningless. I mean why wouldn't they? Nobody really minds if they kill themselves..so why not?

The idea is frowned upon because established human life is seen as something precious. Regardless of the person..they are seen as someone who deserves to be here, who has things to contribute, a life to live, memories, people who love them, people who count on them etc..
And we fight to help people see that things do and WILL get better. Sure, not everyone lives a perfectly happy life but everyone does get to live.. and that's better than the alternative.

Most people who do have these thoughts come out the other side changing their STATE OF MIND (which usually is the real problem, not their life itself) and do realize that their lives are worth living.
That's why it's worth it to fight and continue to tell people suicide isn't an option.

To tell people that suicide is ok is to tell them that their life doesn't matter. That THEY don't matter.. that there aren't people who would mourn their loss, that the world would be fine without them, that they have nothing else to contribute.. and that is not ok.

Physician assisted suicide.. well, that's a whole nother issue and frankly, I believe if someone is going to die anyway, they should have the right to decide to go painlessly instead of drawing out their suffering.

Originally Posted by Barbara!

...she's HIS dog.

Speaking of which, does Chevelle still need rescuing or what? I'm still waiting for a reply to my PM. She's his dog too and they don't allow pets in prison.

[Grab]

I think in medical cases it should be "allowed" Our medical system is screwy enough as it is. Shameful that we allow people to suffer for months or years. I had a relative die from cancer. He suffered for much longer than he should have, even with generous pain medication.

In other cases, well I am not living their lives. Who am I to say whether their lives would ever improve to a point that would be meaningful to them? I do not necessarily agree that every person who contemplates suicide is mentally unbalanced.

Originally Posted by Grab

I think in medical cases it should be "allowed" Our medical system is screwy enough as it is. Shameful that we allow people to suffer for months or years. I had a relative die from cancer. He suffered for much longer than he should have, even with generous pain medication.

In other cases, well I am not living their lives. Who am I to say whether their lives would ever improve to a point that would be meaningful to them? I do not necessarily agree that every person who contemplates suicide is mentally unbalanced.

This. Honestly, I hope medically assisted suicide is legal and available by the time I need it. Speaking only for myself, I'd like to have the choice to go with some dignity and peace rather than die a lingering, painful death some day and be made to either accept it or force someone else to clean up the aftermath of a DIY.

[Lyzelle]

Originally Posted by SevenSins

This. Honestly, I hope medically assisted suicide is legal and available by the time I need it. Speaking only for myself, I'd like to have the choice to go with some dignity and peace rather than die a lingering, painful death some day and be made to either accept it or force someone else to clean up the aftermath of a DIY.

Originally Posted by Grab

I think in medical cases it should be "allowed" Our medical system is screwy enough as it is. Shameful that we allow people to suffer for months or years. I had a relative die from cancer. He suffered for much longer than he should have, even with generous pain medication.

In other cases, well I am not living their lives. Who am I to say whether their lives would ever improve to a point that would be meaningful to them? I do not necessarily agree that every person who contemplates suicide is mentally unbalanced.

Those. If depression and anxiety clouds judgement, so does happiness and everything else. And I really don't care what someone does with their life. It is THEIR life. When you live their life, sure, you get to make the big shot decisions about who gets to stay and who gets to go. But each life belongs to the individual person, solely.

[milos_mommy]

I do think that possibly, after intense treatment, therapy, etc, suicide should be considered an acceptable option.

I also know probably two dozen people who have attempted suicide, anywhere from years to a few months ago. None of these people still regularly wish to be dead. Most of them proclaim now to be happy and love life. I've never known a person to be suicidal when in a stable condition.

It's also obviously very devestating to a persons family, friends, and loved ones.

[blue]

Telling someone suicide is OK is telling someone other people dont matter.

Suicide is a wholly selfish act. I briefly contemplated it once, and took precautions.

If your goal is to hurt the people you love for years and years it would be a good way to go, just take Josh with you, and that all your dogs have good homes.

[ACooper]

Originally Posted by milos_mommy

I do think that possibly, after intense treatment, therapy, etc, suicide should be considered an acceptable option.

I also know probably two dozen people who have attempted suicide, anywhere from years to a few months ago. None of these people still regularly wish to be dead. Most of them proclaim now to be happy and love life. I've never known a person to be suicidal when in a stable condition.

It's also obviously very devestating to a persons family, friends, and loved ones.

Not including long term/terminal illness.....
I agree. I don't know anyone that tried in the past who STILL wishes they were dead (at least what they say out loud)

There's no changing your mind....what you do in a moment of sadness/depression is final. And IMO, those who TRULY want suicide (and not attention) get it done so laws and frowning make no difference.

[noludoru]

I will agree that it's incredibly selfish, but at the end of the day, who the hell am I to judge someone for being selfish? I don't know what they have been through. I don't know how much pain they are in and how long it's been for them. I don't know if their problem is curable, incurable, or if they have tried and tried to fix it without hope of relief. Until I have been inside their head and lived their life, that's not a judgment I can make.

I value quality of life over quantity. Each and every time. I would rather spend 18 years being happy than 50 years being miserable.

Originally Posted by Grab

I think in medical cases it should be "allowed" Our medical system is screwy enough as it is. Shameful that we allow people to suffer for months or years. I had a relative die from cancer. He suffered for much longer than he should have, even with generous pain medication.

In other cases, well I am not living their lives. Who am I to say whether their lives would ever improve to a point that would be meaningful to them? I do not necessarily agree that every person who contemplates suicide is mentally unbalanced.

This is a very diplomatic way of phrasing it.

I've been suicidal before, and I'm sure I will be again. I've been in some pretty awful situations in my short life already. If I had the choice between repeating some of the experiences I've been through and suicide, I am positive I would pick the latter. There are worse things out there than death.

[Southpaw]

We all have low points in our life. Most people understand that it's just that - a low point. There is a silver lining somewhere, things will get better and be okay, life is still worth living. Any person that considers suicide is not stable or in the right frame of mind... they don't see the silver lining. They need help so that they CAN get on and appreciate life; not permission that yep it's okay, go ahead and end it.

Plus the fact that there are probably many friends and family members in this person's life that would be deeply affected by it. It's not like the person is elderly or terminally ill, where the passing is inevitable - they could have gone on to live a long life and chose not to. I don't know anyone who has committed suicide but I would imagine that's a tough reality to swallow.