How people see us?

[Serena 2026]

People with depression aren't viewed correctly, and I can give you an example. When someone with cancer dies, people say: at least now they're at rest; when someone with depression dies, people say: wow, they had so much to live for. Now tell me, why can someone with cancer rest and someone with depression can't? When someone with cancer is on their deathbed, people say: you can go, everything's alright; but to someone with depression they say: you have to get out of bed, you have to fight and want to live. But now tell me, why can't someone with depression want to die and rest too? I think it's because people see someone with cancer fighting, wasting away, while with someone with depression, the fight is internal and can't be seen; it's the mind that withers... I know many might think: someone who is 16 or 30 years old is healthy, right? There's still so much to live for, however, there's nothing healthy about living with depression... when a person constantly thinks about suicide, it's because their mind has been exhausted for a long time... I'm in favor of exhausted/depressed people resting with dignity!!

 

[Mr.Ruben]

I did a thesis about assisted suicide being globalised, and that if the patient had shown that he had no will to live, could even have on top of that a mental or physical difficulty, or proven to planning to die in a specific way (for example SS members getting SN) that anyone above the legal age should do it (it wouldn't work globally if below 18 although a lot of people have depression below 18, so did I)
I was first critiqued by some how pessimistic it was, not much to think about that counter argument. One said governments wouldn't allow it because if so, they can expect a drop in the population that can be so high it would probably lower 20% of the world population in the next century (I didn't do that math) which makes sense for the people in control.
Likewise a poorer country wanting to show the % of students that went to college without showing how many suffered, didn't have funds or simply didn't get a job, so the solution? get everyone on online courses "funded" by the government so you are considered a worker/student depending on the course, and so they can proudly show these numbers to others(the EU does this a lot).
and I agree with you Serena most do not care for mental difficulties, only physical seems to be cared to assist someone or even be at rest
(although one thing I definitely know it hurts more getting the news of your best friend that seemed the happiest person ended their life, and so, another person can feel immense guilt or suicidal thoughts, this mostly because we are in this current idea that suicide is bad in all cases).

 

[angel164]

mental illnesses are definitely not empathized with as physical illnesses are.
in my own experience, with the environment i grew up with , they are seen as "weak", "ungrateful" and "just not trying hard enough"
so when I observe people around me when they talk about mental illness, whether they don't have it or even have it themselves, it often shows their own shame association with it.
they don't want to also seem weak etc.

they grew up trying to be a version of themselves that is healthy, successful and happy, its generally what humans live to be.
and its a lot like a statues thing, to be "strong" and "tried more than you".
so when they see someone who has given up on that strive, they see their own shadow, the one that is tired of trying and just wants to rest and be okay as they are, and not another stronger more perfect version of themselves like they are always told to be.
it triggers a shame response, like "yeah that is not me, i am not like them, i did try hard enough, i am not weak, i am not a failure".

and so suicide becomes "they could've tried harder", "they didn't do enough" its like they are talking to themselves, trying to justify their determination and commitment to the cruel joke of "try harder, or you are weak".
the endless cycle of shaming "giving up" and calling it failure.
when sometimes, giving up takes more courage than going another day in the rat race.
plus unlike chronic physical illness, almost everyone on earth has dealt with a normal level of sadness or fear, and so if they did not experience a mentally ill level of that, they would assume they know what it feels like, and if they got over it by "trying hard" than why wouldn't we also be able to get over it by trying hard.

correct me if I am wrong of course, I have been trying to understnad their mindest, its hard to do when they are insenstivie like that, but its an interesting thought experinemnt.

 

[hughmun9]

I agree with you.

I think it's because people view all of life as an ordeal against your mind and some view depression as your failure to pass that ordeal as opposed to a real medical condition.

 

[Serena 2026]

I did a thesis about assisted suicide being globalised, and that if the patient had shown that he had no will to live, could even have on top of that a mental or physical difficulty, or proven to planning to die in a specific way (for example SS members getting SN) that anyone above the legal age should do it (it wouldn't work globally if below 18 although a lot of people have depression below 18, so did I)
I was first critiqued by some how pessimistic it was, not much to think about that counter argument. One said governments wouldn't allow it because if so, they can expect a drop in the population that can be so high it would probably lower 20% of the world population in the next century (I didn't do that math) which makes sense for the people in control.
Likewise a poorer country wanting to show the % of students that went to college without showing how many suffered, didn't have funds or simply didn't get a job, so the solution? get everyone on online courses "funded" by the government so you are considered a worker/student depending on the course, and so they can proudly show these numbers to others(the EU does this a lot).
and I agree with you Serena most do not care for mental difficulties, only physical seems to be cared to assist someone or even be at rest
(although one thing I definitely know it hurts more getting the news of your best friend that seemed the happiest person ended their life, and so, another person can feel immense guilt or suicidal thoughts, this mostly because we are in this current idea that suicide is bad in all cases).

Yes, Ruben, it is a very complex topic that sparks many conflicting opinions. You rightly pointed out the political interests involved, and there are religious ones as well, among others. The positive aspect is that self-deliverance is already authorized in several countries, and I believe that number will likely grow. The sad part is that, for perhaps the majority of people suffering from depression, financial constraints act as a barrier—meaning assisted death becomes nearly impossible. I understand what you say about a friend committing suicide; naturally, it isn't comforting, but we must respect it, as we can never truly know the pain they were carrying....

 

[itsgone2]

I wish we could properly explain ourselves but no one takes a person in this state seriously.
What if one simply doesn't enjoy life? I'm sick of the grind. And it keeps getting more difficult. Enough already.

 

[Serena 2026]

mental illnesses are definitely not empathized with as physical illnesses are.
in my own experience, with the environment i grew up with , they are seen as "weak", "ungrateful" and "just not trying hard enough"
so when I observe people around me when they talk about mental illness, whether they don't have it or even have it themselves, it often shows their own shame association with it.
they don't want to also seem weak etc.

they grew up trying to be a version of themselves that is healthy, successful and happy, its generally what humans live to be.
and its a lot like a statues thing, to be "strong" and "tried more than you".
so when they see someone who has given up on that strive, they see their own shadow, the one that is tired of trying and just wants to rest and be okay as they are, and not another stronger more perfect version of themselves like they are always told to be.
it triggers a shame response, like "yeah that is not me, i am not like them, i did try hard enough, i am not weak, i am not a failure".

and so suicide becomes "they could've tried harder", "they didn't do enough" its like they are talking to themselves, trying to justify their determination and commitment to the cruel joke of "try harder, or you are weak".
the endless cycle of shaming "giving up" and calling it failure.
when sometimes, giving up takes more courage than going another day in the rat race.
plus unlike chronic physical illness, almost everyone on earth has dealt with a normal level of sadness or fear, and so if they did not experience a mentally ill level of that, they would assume they know what it feels like, and if they got over it by "trying hard" than why wouldn't we also be able to get over it by trying hard.

correct me if I am wrong of course, I have been trying to understnad their mindest, its hard to do when they are insenstivie like that, but its an interesting thought experinemnt.

Angel, you put into words exactly how I feel. I carried this illness for years—often hiding behind a smile out of shame, or because of work, family, and friends. I tried various treatments and was completely drained, yet hardly anyone could see it; I had a thriving career, and everyone thought I was happy and successful... what nonsense. You know, I'm so glad I found this site. Here, I can truly open up—it's like finding my tribe, or people who understand without judging. Here, I found the strength and courage to get my "N," and I'm not ashamed to speak my mind... It might sound strange, but I'm happy in this little world of ours—right here with you all on this forum!

I agree with you.

I think it's because people view all of life as an ordeal against your mind and some view depression as your failure to pass that ordeal as opposed to a real medical condition.

I used to be a Kardecist back when I still believed in God, and I actually accepted it—thinking I deserved this illness as my "karma" and had to endure all that suffering. But I was wrong, Hughmun; people don't see us as sick because they can't see it... you know, the whole "seeing is believing" thing. In fact, many in my family thought I was making up panic symptoms just to get people to pity me... can you believe that?

I wish we could properly explain ourselves but no one takes a person in this state seriously.
What if one simply doesn't enjoy life? I'm sick of the grind. And it keeps getting more difficult. Enough already.

I understand you and stand with you!!

 

[Mr.Ruben]

The sad part is that, for perhaps the majority of people suffering from depression, financial constraints act as a barrier—meaning assisted death becomes nearly impossible

I think assisted suicide should only cost the price of the medicine involved, and whatever assistance with the workers, in switzerland people pay around 9-15 thousand dollars for it, while without the bureaucracy layers, it costs around 110 dollars, so in my view minimise this layers, and somewhat 500 to 1000 ish dollars sounds good to me, of course, changing price depending on the financial situation of each country, it's not too cheap for death to be as simple as buying a cheap phone, and more of a medium investment. (at least in Europe from my point of view, having 500-1000 is accessible by working around 1-2 months)

 

[Necro_Kitty]

Society doesn't view mental illness as an actual illness, rather something someone can just get over. I don't think many people realize that a lot of the time, you can't just recover and move on. A lot of mental illnesses are permanent and suicide is the only way out. Death is the only way to escape your own brain.

 

[Pluto]