Why don't we talk about suicide?

[Erika]

My two posts on other threads were deleted. As long as we consider suicide a sacred cow we can't reach out or explore, or truly converse with those considering suicide.

My post was my experience with suicidal patients is they don't find themselves victims. They see themselves as ineffective and a drag on others. They choose not to live because their feeling is one of total pain. Not victimhood or blaming others.

[Fenris]

1. It's policy.

The website operators do not want to be held liable for bad advice given.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. Talking about suicide is not verboten AFAIK

considering it online is...we aren't equipped to handle it as a website and it does a disservice to the individual that may need acute help

[jdj]

3. thats a stickyone.

if you are talking about terminal people in chronic pain it's one thing. I think suicide is a genetic aberration, though.

Therefore I don't consider it a logical choice except in the case I mentioned above.

I had an acquaintance commit suicide a few years ago. An unbelievably talented, desirable man who seem to have everthing, but he also had a terminal illness and serious addiction.

I certainly can't judge his decision for any reason, but for people with resolvable problems it's such a tragedy.

[readmoreoften]

10. so are GLBT kids more genetically predisposed then?

I mean, if we're 5-10% of the population and (according to the NGLTF) make up for 30% of the teen suicides (that's a likely 1323 queer teen suicides last year by the way) does that mean we are genetically predisposed?

OR, maybe queer kids are taught their lives are worthless.

Just an observation...

[alittlelark]

4. I talked about it a few times this last week.

My college roomate had bought a gun, some ammo, read the instructions, and , along w/ a full bottle of sleeping pills trudged into the Sandias and blew her head off.

[jdj]

6. I am so sorry.

My thougts are with you.

[alittlelark]

8. Thanks, my thoughts are w/ her 18 year old son.

It still hasn't hit him, when I flew out he was sooo calm. It's coming.

[rman]

5. So what ever happened to trying to help such people,

in trying to relieve their pain (in some other way besides "allowing" these people to die)? I think omitting that part of the issue is doing a grave disservice to society.

Also to frame it as "the right to die" is misleading. Of course people have the right to die. But this isn't just about dying, it's about suicide. And of course people have the "right" to commit suicide, but that's just one part of the issue.

[Erika]

11. Our country offers little to mental health

to the point it's almost non-existent. That also shows that little importance is shown these people. I also personally know of a schizophrenic 28 year old who killed himself because he was tired of fighting the battle, and simply wanted and chose to end his life. He saw no hope and only felt he was a disappointment to his family.

[Erika]

7. I can see where a website does not want responsibility

of advice given.

But to make this subject a sacred cow is wrong also. Erase all because of possible of liability? I guess that is the website's discretion.

[jdj]

9. I don't think it is liability in the legal sense.

I think if it's like you say it is, they know alot of people lurk here as well as post here, and they care about that individual that might read something and be influenced by it, especially in this climate where many libs are feeling isolated and helpless about what is going on in this country and the world.

But until now I did not know this topic was verboten.

[Moderator]

12. Locking

Your question would be better asked in the Ask The Administrators forum, as Democratic Underground policy is involved in your question.