Channel 4 documentary about Kenneth Law and suicide forums

[betternever2havbeen]

Came across this, haven't seen it mentioned on here yet but what does everyone think? 2 part documentary "Poison" coming soon to channel 4 (UK) about Kenneth Law and suicide forums.

Channel 4 orders factual series on Times investigation into Kenneth Law poison case

UK commercially funded pubcaster Channel 4 has commissioned a two-part factual series based on an investigation by a journalist from The Times into a Canadian chef accused of sending more than 1,000 packages of poison to suicidal young people across the g

www.c21media.net

Wonderhood produces Poison for C4 - Televisual

Channel 4 has commissioned Wonderhood Studios to produce two-part premium factual series, Poison

www.televisual.com

From article-

In 2022, James Beal was contacted by a grieving father, searching for answers about his son Tom's tragic death. Tom had taken his own life with a lethal poison he had bought online. Although police ruled Tom's death as suicide, Tom's father wasn't satisfied. He wanted to know who had sent his son this deadly poison, and how they could get away with it.

But as James starts to investigate the poisonous substance, he starts to realise that Tom is not the only person to die this way. Multiple young people across the planet, from the US to Canada, Germany and Australia, are taking their own lives in exactly the same way. Going undercover, and posing as a suicidal young person himself, James discovers a dark world of online suicide forums, and a website which appears to be shipping a lethal poison around the world…

Based on original articles by James Beal published in the Times and the accompanying award-winning podcast, and with testimony from the families of those who tragically took their own lives, the series follows James as he investigates these deaths and their possible connection to Kenneth Law, a Canadian chef. In doing so, the series exposes the dangers and lack of regulation of online suicide forums against the backdrop of a global mental health epidemic.

 

[EvisceratedJester]

Can't these people just leave this site alone. I would argue that their need to continuously talk about this forum only accomplishes both further promoting this site and causing forum members stress and frustration. These people seem to think that they are doing God's work when in reality they are just doing shit that literally goes against their goals.

 

[betternever2havbeen]

@EvisceratedJester yep this seems like the worst one yet in terms of publicity. I can only imagine how biased it's going to be. I expect SaSu to feature pretty heavily. Don't suppose they spoke to any current members though, we have NO voice outside of here. They still haven't figured out that to reduce suicides they have to actually LISTEN to suicidal people. But no, they view us as far too vulnerable and stupid for that so they're gonna prevent suicides by doing everything BUT listen to us, when they've NEVER been suicidal themselves (because only crazy people are suicidal naturally) oh but the guy making this doc can apparently pretend to be suicidal, because that's not a shitty thing to do or anything...don't suppose he listened to us or learnt anything about any of the members here in the process.

 

[EvisceratedJester]

@EvisceratedJester yep this seems like the worst one yet in terms of publicity. I can only imagine how biased it's going to be. I expect SaSu to feature pretty heavily. Don't suppose they spoke to any current members though, we have NO voice outside of here. They still haven't figured out that to reduce suicides they have to actually LISTEN to suicidal people. But no, they view us as far too vulnerable and stupid for that so they're gonna prevent suicides by doing everything BUT listen to us, when they've NEVER been suicidal themselves (because only crazy people are suicidal naturally) oh but the guy making this doc can apparently pretend to be suicidal, because that's not a shitty thing to do or anything...don't suppose he listened to us or learnt anything about any of the members here in the process.

Yeah, it's funny that we are supposed to parade around him, showering him in praise for essentially pretending to be suicidal in order to infiltrate one of the few spaces out there where suicidal individuals can freely discuss their feelings. Pretty shitty thing to do. I'm also kind of worried about what they might feature in the documentary. It seems like a heavy amount of it is likely going to focus on this site in connection to Kenneth Law, but I fear them potentially displaying posts that might have details that put certain members at risk of being found out if the anyone they know watches it.

At the end of the day, these people don't care about us. They just want attention, money, and fame. For them, this site and the discussion of suicide that surrounds it isn't something that they truly want to explore. There is rarely ever any nuance when talking about this place. Furthmore, when talking about suicide, the main voices that are propped up are only from non-suicidal individuals or people who have recovered from their suicidal ideation. People in the mists of having suicidal thoughts, particularly active ones, aren't listened too. Instead, they are immediately labelled as "mentally ill" and are either ignored or have their feelings invalidated. People love to talk about suicides after they happen. It's about "ending the stigma surrounding suicide", not fixing shit so that people don't feel pushed into having to kill themselves. It's not about trying to have discussions on bodily autonomy and maybe even looking into finding ways to provide people with a safe and peaceful way to go, it's about how sad it is to some people.

I'm honestly just tired at this point.

 

[betternever2havbeen]

@EvisceratedJester the guy already did a podcast which won an award or summat and he always has to shoehorn that in, it's the only thing he's interested in. Like I wonder if he actually spent time on here supporting people and trying to get them not to CTB but I really doubt it.

Yeah it'll be completely one-sided, lots of input from the families of those that CTB as well by the looks of it. I certainly don't begrudge them their voice but again there is likely no input from those actually using the site so just one narrative about how the site is evil blah blah.

It's like 6am here-I actually woke up and couldn't get back to sleep cos of my anxiety so was up googling and came across the article. I should thank James Beal cos he managed to make me forget all about my symptoms temporarily just reading about this BS I need to go get a couple more hours of sleep now but doubt I'll be able to I'm so mad, but hey maybe I'm wrong and they'll actually be balanced about the site huh?

 

[DeathSleep]

SaSu is a safe space for me and I don't like the threat of people trying to shut this site down. It stresses me out. I can say things here that I can't to anyone else. I agree, @betternever2havbeen, they no doubt didn't interview any forum memebers for this documentary. Some crappy journalism.

I also agree with @EvisceratedJester that I'm worried what posts they might show. No one should be able to identify me but I feel like more pro-lifers might start digging around here trying to identify people to "save" them.

Would they be able to track us down? I don't know enough about how they might be able do that. It's my fear that cops will show up at my door one day and send me off to the hospital because yeah that totally works. Or someone will come to search my stuff for any suicide method related things. Maybe I'm just being paraniod or watch too many movies.

SaSu may get more members from this but I fear a much higher number of them will be pro-lifers.

They're just making shit worse.

 

[Forever Sleep]

These sorts of things seem usually to be accompanied with a whole lot more hatred towards the site. DDoS attacks- things like that but also- a massive influx in membership. If it's Channel 4, they can hardly age restrict it too so no doubt- another massive surge in minors trying to join. But probably the 'nomies' will still praise the journalist's efforts.

I wonder who James Beal was on here. I wonder what story they spun here to gain people's trust and sympathy enough to give them a source (if they did that.) I wonder if they got a kick out of doing that. I suspect they kept telling themselves that, even though they were deceiving and manipulating 'vulnerable' people- it was their job and, it was all for the greater good anyway. What greater good will that be I wonder.

As much as I have sympathy for this grieving father- and I do. Possibly billions more unhappy youngsters are now going to become aware of the site and SN. No matter whether they disguise the name or don't mention it at all- I imagine it will take them a couple of Google searches to figure it out.

I wonder if we'll see an upsurge in the amount of SN deaths as a result- although, it' harder to get hold of admittedly. Still- realistically, there will probably always be 'Kenneth Laws' out there. The government can likely impose even stricter rules on companies and harsher punishments for breaking them but- individuals, especially individuals in foreign countries, they may well still take the risk- as KL did.

If there's a high demand for something and it's illegal- it simply goes underground. You could see these sellers as either champions of human rights- deeply sympathising with the plight of others and providing them a way out. Or- like drug dealers- not too fussy about who buys this stuff and dies, just keen to make big profits quickly. Regardless, I imagine more could well pop up with increased demand.

People don't seem to understand that even suicidal people very often still retain enough mental faculties to be extremely resourceful! They are effectively advertising suicide methods doing this to the entire population. Not just people who are so desperate, they go looking for them. They likely think they are doing a great thing by raising awareness of all these 'wicked' internet sites and sellers of dangerous substances. Do they truly think this documentary will erase all mention of SN from the internet? A lot is probably leaked from the PPH. Do they think they can get it erased from there? Do they think they will be able to stop all the new Kenneth Laws out there? No- they won't be able to achieve any of that. They're simply raising awareness of a pretty niche and fairly effective suicide method to the entire population! Why don't these people think about the wider effects of their actions? I guess they're too distracted polishing their trophies.

That's what I'd like to see though- a journalist who investigates the links between exactly these sorts of articles/ documentaries and, suicides using the method described. I imagine there will be a correlation.

As a side note, this is another reason people are hesitant to give out sources. I guess the 'normies' out there will see that as a good thing. I only knew of the Kenneth Law IC source and I didn't feel comfortable sharing it when I had found it- which I realise is massively hypocritical. But yeah, I'm kind of dreading the backlash this is bound to create... again.

 

[FlufflesAway]

Father of man who committed suicide by gun demands gun manufacturers cease operation. Who's funding this death cult? Who sold him the gun and ammunition? He pretends to be an interested arms purchaser and discovers a vile, horrid world of death promotion. Amidst a global mental health epidemic, the older generation are asking why their children would rather choose death. They demand the government do something. Their globe-trotting, abusive, nonchalant retirement hangs by a thread as more and more workers who'd pay for their lifestyle oppose multiplication and a minority embrace death. They're desperate and scared they might become victims of their own actions.

Everything's just a joke.

 

[SVEN]

"Posing as a suicidal young person himself", and through his deceit causing suspicion and mistrust amongst the only group of folk who do actually totally empathise with suicidal impulses and even have a section specifically dedicated to Recovery for any who can find a reason to keep going.
I'd dare to suggest that more suffering people find hope and a reason to endure life through this group than any assisted by the virtually non existent NHS "support" services in the UK.

 

[sevennn]

ah yes what's to blame for my sons suicide? the method! not whatever lead him there. at the end of the day. take away everything. there is still hanging, drowning, jumping and lying on the tracks. by taking away methods they only take away peaceful suicide. that's all. that's all that happens. i'm tired of this shit. these are grown people. believing in bullshit

 

[Downdraft]

Hello idiots of the documentary can't wait for the rise in regiatration like every single time this site appeared in media before.

You aren't the first ones attempting to change regulations so try to spread awareness about this site, it will only send more "fools to the fire".

 

[Anon1337]

Here's the article by the Times. By the way if there's a pay wall try archiving it. Don't give these people any money.

Recent one - https://archive.is/tZfb2

First times article on KL - https://archive.is/3Ha18

I wonder how they'll twist this.

 

[Emeralds]

I'm not surprised that they are making a documentary about the site. It was only a matter of time with all of the attention the site has been getting. It's unfortunate though that it will only lead more young people to the site and more people will learn about SN. I wonder if the journalists ever think about that.

Has anyone listened the podcast that came out last year? I didn't realize there was already a podcast.

 

[Darkover]

what they won't discussions is why no rational being would come alive into this situation without having a easy way out should the need arise

if life is filled with unavoidable suffering, why is there not a universally accepted, compassionate way to opt out? For any rational being, entering existence without an accessible exit seems counter to basic principles of choice and autonomy. After all, the possibility of severe suffering or unresolvable challenges is real, yet, we're born without a clear, humane option to step away if life becomes unbearable.

Assisted suicide and rational end-of-life choices are often avoided in discussions. Societies tend to view life as an unquestionable good, often overlooking the need for compassionate exits for those who find the costs of existence to outweigh its benefits. It's a tough topic, but addressing it openly could be the first step toward recognizing that some people genuinely need and deserve this kind of choice.

 

[sevennn]

what they won't discussions is why no rational being would come alive into this situation without having a easy way out should the need arise

if life is filled with unavoidable suffering, why is there not a universally accepted, compassionate way to opt out? For any rational being, entering existence without an accessible exit seems counter to basic principles of choice and autonomy. After all, the possibility of severe suffering or unresolvable challenges is real, yet, we're born without a clear, humane option to step away if life becomes unbearable.

Assisted suicide and rational end-of-life choices are often avoided in discussions. Societies tend to view life as an unquestionable good, often overlooking the need for compassionate exits for those who find the costs of existence to outweigh its benefits. It's a tough topic, but addressing it openly could be the first step toward recognizing that some people genuinely need and deserve this kind of choice.

it's like being held hostage to life and all it's failings, in my mind.

 

[alltoomuch2]

Yeah, it's funny that we are supposed to parade around him, showering him in praise for essentially pretending to be suicidal in order to infiltrate one of the few spaces out there where suicidal individuals can freely discuss their feelings. Pretty shitty thing to do. I'm also kind of worried about what they might feature in the documentary. It seems like a heavy amount of it is likely going to focus on this site in connection to Kenneth Law, but I fear them potentially displaying posts that might have details that put certain members at risk of being found out if the anyone they know watches it.

At the end of the day, these people don't care about us. They just want attention, money, and fame. For them, this site and the discussion of suicide that surrounds it isn't something that they truly want to explore. There is rarely ever any nuance when talking about this place. Furthmore, when talking about suicide, the main voices that are propped up are only from non-suicidal individuals or people who have recovered from their suicidal ideation. People in the mists of having suicidal thoughts, particularly active ones, aren't listened too. Instead, they are immediately labelled as "mentally ill" and are either ignored or have their feelings invalidated. People love to talk about suicides after they happen. It's about "ending the stigma surrounding suicide", not fixing shit so that people don't feel pushed into having to kill themselves. It's not about trying to have discussions on bodily autonomy and maybe even looking into finding ways to provide people with a safe and peaceful way to go, it's about how sad it is to some people.

I'm honestly just tired at this point.

yeah. I'm gonna have to look at my posts and see if I can be identified. May be too late of course. Bastards. Do they want to leave us with the people who post "are you ok" then run a mile if youre not? All this outrage about us on here, yet if you read the comments on any article about benefits in the Uk Telegraph newspaper it is horrendous with comments about what they call "mental elf" which stigmatise anyone with mental health problems, saying they should have all benefits cut unless they're in a psych hospital so they are forced into work, that people with "mental elf" problems are faking it because they're too lazy to work, or they're being spineless and pathetic and still should be forced into work by removing all benefits. There's constant anger expressed that "hardworking people" have to pay for the lazy ones who imagine they have mental health problems to sit on their bottoms and watch Netflix. But let's all blame this sanctuary where we can express our pain, not the general public and the governments starvation of the NHS mental services so we have to wait nearly a year for any sort of treatment, by which time we are profoundly worse. I just hate the press and the public.

Came across this, haven't seen it mentioned on here yet but what does everyone think? 2 part documentary "Poison" coming soon to channel 4 (UK) about Kenneth Law and suicide forums.

Channel 4 orders factual series on Times investigation into Kenneth Law poison case

UK commercially funded pubcaster Channel 4 has commissioned a two-part factual series based on an investigation by a journalist from The Times into a Canadian chef accused of sending more than 1,000 packages of poison to suicidal young people across the g

www.c21media.net

Wonderhood produces Poison for C4 - Televisual

Channel 4 has commissioned Wonderhood Studios to produce two-part premium factual series, Poison

www.televisual.com

From article-

In 2022, James Beal was contacted by a grieving father, searching for answers about his son Tom's tragic death. Tom had taken his own life with a lethal poison he had bought online. Although police ruled Tom's death as suicide, Tom's father wasn't satisfied. He wanted to know who had sent his son this deadly poison, and how they could get away with it.

But as James starts to investigate the poisonous substance, he starts to realise that Tom is not the only person to die this way. Multiple young people across the planet, from the US to Canada, Germany and Australia, are taking their own lives in exactly the same way. Going undercover, and posing as a suicidal young person himself, James discovers a dark world of online suicide forums, and a website which appears to be shipping a lethal poison around the world…

Based on original articles by James Beal published in the Times and the accompanying award-winning podcast, and with testimony from the families of those who tragically took their own lives, the series follows James as he investigates these deaths and their possible connection to Kenneth Law, a Canadian chef. In doing so, the series exposes the dangers and lack of regulation of online suicide forums against the backdrop of a global mental health epidemic.

I'm really worried because I've been careless about the information about myself I've posted on here which, whilst true, would be extremely hurtful to my family if they saw it. I should have been more careful but too late now because I can't delete it. Oh well. All I can hope is that no one who knows me outside here is interested in the program or watches it. If they do, I'm not sure of the outcome for me. I guess no difference because I'll need to stay here for my dog, but my last days will be filled with guilt and sadness. I hate the press and the public. Now even more so. They're driving us to ctb with their judgement and stigma and hatred towards us and our suffering. Maybe they all need to stop and look in the mirror first.