Suicide: Yes or No?

[Osweo]

I wish people who did it, would do it in a bloody more useful way! I mean, if you're going to be beyond the reach of the law in a few minutes or seconds' time, you might as well make a bit of a nonPC statement at the same time, without fear of ostracism or losing your job or whatever.

"I'm killing myself in protest at the deliberate policy to shunt aside and replace my people by mass immigration!" ...Boom! OOOps, was that a minaret? Oh dear...

My Mam always says, if she found out about a terminal illness, she'd get a gun, go to ... er, well, you can imagine...

[Absinthe]

* What is your opinion in general about suicide?

Touch question...

On a societal level, I think it is up to the person to decide what to do with one's own life. Not the State's business, not the Church's, not mine.

On a metaphysical level...I have my doubts as to whether it is a wise act. I mean, if we accept the existence of a soul...that would probably mean be a tormenting comtinuation of the soul after physical death (and I do NOT mean Christian Hell for goodness' sake!)

* Have you ever had these feelings yourself, and how did you cope with them?

No, I'm too much of a chicken shit to take my own life. Either that or I like myself too much.

* Do you now persons who commited suicide and how did you respond to this?

Not close to me *knocks on wood*. Otherwise, plenty. I always think how it's such a pity... Usually they get caught into this tunnel vision and fail to see alternatives that would improve their condition. :icon_sad:

* Do you think suicide/euthanisia is perse wrong?

I don't think of anything as right/wrong per se.

[RoyBatty]

I have no idea whether this is an appropiate topic to put on this board, so sorry if I made an error in this.

I think it is as appropriate a topic as any, mental wellbeing is an issue that affects us all.

For the last year and a half, or maybe even for over two years, the thought of taking my own life has crossed my mind severals times. The reasons are many different ones, wich I wont elaborate on a public board...

A good friend of mine (and no I'm not referring to myself in case anybody was wondering) has gone through some rollercoaster rides with depression. I obviously don't know the details about your particular situation but in my friend's case I think a combination of childhood background, later disillusionment with certain facets of life, a missing "sense of purpose" aka the "what am I living my life for" question, overwork, lack of sleep, stress, a non-existent social life, isolation from people and so forth all contributed to a negative state of mind.

The problem is, once a person descends into a dark place it becomes difficult to motivate yourself to get out of it. People start thinking "what's the point" or they start convincing themselves that "even if I try X or Y the result will be the same". Because they do such a good job at convincing themselves X or Y indeed becomes the result.... they start living self-fulfilling prophecies which convinces them even more how right they are and how "hopeless" everything is.

I don't know of any easy fixes but a systematic approach to motivate one's self is perhaps one way to improve things. I used to suffer from some depression when I was a student and eventually I sort of "convinced myself" to just "get on with it", to not take myself too seriously and to start eliminating the negative elements in my life. It took a while but imo things eventually did improve for me. Mileage / methods / experiences for others may vary.

My question are very simple;

• What is your opinion in general about suicide?
  

• Imo it is a waste of a (possibly) singular opportunity to lead a meaningful or at least tolerable existence on this planet. Sure it isn't always going to be great, it'll often be boring or seem pointless but as that daft old cliche says... "your only limit is your imagination".
  
  

• Have you ever had these feelings yourself, and how did you cope with them?

[RoyBatty]

2. Since childhood I've had these sorts of thoughts, initially stemming from certain circumstances and events in my childhood. Today it is the sense that I've disappointed myself or those I care for, that I haven't lived up to my own expectations. There is always a lingering sense of worthlessness and failure. Betrayal by someone I considered to be one of the best friends has also put me in doubt

Those are interesting observations. A friend of mine had / has some similar issues.

[Skandi]

What is your opinion in general about suicide?

It is wrong and selfish in most instances, also most people who "commit" suicide are only after attention, hence the very low success rates.

In some cases, such as the very old and infirm or those who have been diagnosed with a terminal wasting disease then it is the best thing that they can do, both in terms of their own suffering and the drain that they place on those around them.

Have you ever had these feelings yourself, and how did you cope with them?

No I can't imagine why I would wish to cop out on life.

Do you now persons who committed suicide and how did you respond to this?

Yes she had contracted a muscle and nerve wasting disease and it had nearly reached her arms (starting from the feet). It was her choice, so that was fine by me.

Do you think suicide/euthanisia is perse wrong?

No it always depends on the situation of everybody who will be affected, it may be cruel to kill someone who wishes to live, but it is even worse to force them to suffer, just so you can take the moral high ground.

[Eldritch]

What is your opinion in general about suicide?

Our ability to choose to end our life when we see it fit is one of the fundamental differences between us and the animals. To remove a sane person's possibility and the right to end his/her life when s/he chooses to is to remove a part of his/her humanity.

Have you ever had these feelings yourself, and how did you cope with them?

No, never. And trust me my friend, I've been through the fucking gamut: psychological and sexual abuse in childhood, unemployment, poverty, sexual and romantic rejection, painful medical conditions, disability, being betrayed by people I thought I could trust, etc, etc ...

It never, ever has crossed my mind to kill myself. I've always known that no matter what happens to me, as long as I have my wits about me, I can always make my way on to something better.

I have, however decided that once I sense my mind going, I'll end it. It's shouldn't be for other 40 years or so, though. It's my right and privilege, and no-one is going to tell me any different. Unless a cardiac arrest takes me first, of course (it runs in my father's side of the family).

Do you now persons who commited suicide and how did you respond to this?

After the Hungarians, Finns are the most avid suiciders in Europe. I have a friend whose father hung himself a year after he retired from his position as an artillery colonel in the Finnish armed forces, and another friend whose brother shot himself in the head for no reason that anyone could understand. He had a wife, two children, a good job, and a secured future.

How did their families deal with their deaths? They mourned for a certain time and then decided its time for life to go on. What else can anyone do?


Do you think suicide/euthanisia is perse wrong?

As I suppose what I wrote above should make clear, no, I don't.

However KCV my friend, please allow me to say this ...

For the last year and a half, or maybe even for over two years, the thought of taking my own life has crossed my mind severals times. The reasons are many different ones, wich I wont elaborate on a public board...

I have said that every person has a right to suicide. However, it should always be the very last option. You haven't told us what it is that's bothering you, which is fair enough. But as far as I know, you're only in your mid-thirties, you're a well-known, well-liked and well-respected internet poster, you're a succesful tattoo artist, you're making a living doing something you enjoy. Why on Earth would you want to top yourself?

And what about your fearsome canine companion? Bruiser, Brutus, Beast, what was he called again? You can't abandon him. Take him out for a walk, gaze at the stars, when you see the old lady from next door that thinks "there's that horrible skinhead with the tattoos on his face" coming, tell her, "good evening ma'm" as charmingly as you can. Then go home and put on a record and crack open a beer.

And remember, if you die, I'll never get the chance to buy you a beer, or two, or fourteen, like we talked about when yiou eventually come to this country.

[Sol Invictus]

suicide is a permanent solution ..

to a temporary problem..

in most cases it is over an emotional distress..

for which there is help available to those who

reach out and accept help from others..

physical distress is another matter altogether, in my opinion

Valete,

[Brynhild]

* What is your opinion in general about suicide?
I'm torn between selfish motives - copping out because of an inability to cope with what life throws at us - and yet being able to understand why people want to throw in the towel at the same time.
* Have you ever had these feelings yourself, and how did you cope with them?
I'm not going to deny that such thoughts have occurred to me. I've endured sexual abuse, domestic violence, family breakdowns, a marriage breakup, along with numerous other rejections over the years. Post natal depression was another bad time for me. I cope with my feelings by continuing to fight the fight and seeing that there is still much in my life to appreciate - in particular my beautiful kids. I'm too much of a fighter to give up on a challenge.
* Do you now persons who commited suicide and how did you respond to this?
Before I was due to receive my holy communion, I went to confession like I always did, and accidentally stumbled on a funeral of a teenage girl who committed suicide. I was 11 at the time. I've known of too many others who have wanted to top themselves - and succeeded. I wonder, why? Is life really that bad for you to see that being the only way out? Yet, as I said earlier, I can understand from a depression based level, when no matter how hard you try you feel like life kicks you in the teeth all the time. The one thing I always consider is how the people left behind would feel. Especially if there were no signs leading up to the suicide, which would be all the more bewildering. I know I wouldn't want to hurt those I love that way.

* Do you think suicide/euthanisia is perse wrong?
If I have a terminal illness, I wouldn't want to be a burden on my family. In this instance, I agree wholeheartedly.

[Sarmata]

My question are very simple;

• What is your opinion in general about suicide?

When someone is incurably ill and he/she only suffers waiting for death, suicide could be a good solution. If some person kill his self when he/she is health and young and commit suicide only becouse of some problems it is covercide, solution only for weak...

• Have you ever had these feelings yourself, and how did you cope with them?

No

• Do you now persons who commited suicide and how did you respond to this?

2 years ago 17 year old boy from neighbourhood commit suicide jumping from 11 floor, not so good sight...Respond(?)...he was young and stupid.

• Do you think suicide/euthanisia is perse wrong?

Yes and no...Euthanasia it's also good way for some bastards to send their grandfather to heaven(Valhalla, Elisium... whatever) and take his money, right?

[MarcvSS]

Who depends upon your strength? Who depends upon your knowledge? Who depends upon your love?

Suicide is a selfish act. You are stealing yourself from them that need you. If you can not manage to love yourself, atleast manage to love others. There's yet good you can accomplish and there always will be.

I think your standpoint in this, is to say the least a little shortsighted...

Ever thought about how selfish it is to demand from someone to stay alive purely because you don't want them gone?
I myself had to deal with such a case ones, where my best friend wanted to die and after talking with him for 3 days in a row, I respected his desicion...

Ever thought about people who have nothing and nobody left to care for? Are they commiting selfish acts aswell?