I've watched a few YouTube videos concerning suicide recently. Two ideas that were expressed strongly were that lots of people who suicide do it because they feel like a burden and want to remove that burden on others.
The one nicer thing about that clip was that it refuted the claim/ criticism that suicide is selfish. Even so, I wonder how many people do actually suicide because they don't want to be a burden. I'm sure it does happen although, I wonder how often it is the driving cause.
Another video claimed most suicides were impulsive. I'm not sure I believe that at all. I suppose it somewhat depends on the definition. Still- I doubt many people at all act, the first time they think about suicide. And surely- if they've spent time thinking about it previously then- how impulsive can it be?
Even organisations set up to 'help' with ideation, I tend to think are working on a bunch of preconceptions. In order to encourage the police to leave during a welfair check, I agreed to be put in touch with a 'helpline'. I tried to also get rid of them as quickly as possible. The initial phone operator was kind at least but thought we should talk about these: 'intrusive thoughts I'd been experiencing.' Why do they assume our suicidal thoughts are intrusive?
Plenty of people here I think actually find comfort in their thoughts of ending their suffering. Plus- they aren't necessarily unwanted, random thoughts that just materialise in our minds for no reason. That's how I would describe an intrusive thought. I imagine many people would describe their thoughts around suicide as a logical reaction to a life they are immensely struggling with.
Maybe these sorts of preconceptions don't change how an individual is treated- should they seek treatment. Presumably- they would take the time to figure out how that individual experiences ideation. Overall though, I don't think it does anyone any favours.
What do you think? Do you think any of societies views of suicide are accurate? Do you think they do acknowledge all the nuances in suicidal people's perspectives? Or, particularly care even?
The one nicer thing about that clip was that it refuted the claim/ criticism that suicide is selfish. Even so, I wonder how many people do actually suicide because they don't want to be a burden. I'm sure it does happen although, I wonder how often it is the driving cause.
Another video claimed most suicides were impulsive. I'm not sure I believe that at all. I suppose it somewhat depends on the definition. Still- I doubt many people at all act, the first time they think about suicide. And surely- if they've spent time thinking about it previously then- how impulsive can it be?
Even organisations set up to 'help' with ideation, I tend to think are working on a bunch of preconceptions. In order to encourage the police to leave during a welfair check, I agreed to be put in touch with a 'helpline'. I tried to also get rid of them as quickly as possible. The initial phone operator was kind at least but thought we should talk about these: 'intrusive thoughts I'd been experiencing.' Why do they assume our suicidal thoughts are intrusive?
Plenty of people here I think actually find comfort in their thoughts of ending their suffering. Plus- they aren't necessarily unwanted, random thoughts that just materialise in our minds for no reason. That's how I would describe an intrusive thought. I imagine many people would describe their thoughts around suicide as a logical reaction to a life they are immensely struggling with.
Maybe these sorts of preconceptions don't change how an individual is treated- should they seek treatment. Presumably- they would take the time to figure out how that individual experiences ideation. Overall though, I don't think it does anyone any favours.
What do you think? Do you think any of societies views of suicide are accurate? Do you think they do acknowledge all the nuances in suicidal people's perspectives? Or, particularly care even?
