Suicidal pro-lifers

[Hirokami]

They're interesting to say the least. I've met people who actively have suicidal thoughts and those who tried to end their lives multiple times in the past. And, even though they know first-hand how awful life gets, they still force others to live. See, I could at least understand a pro-lifer acting like this if they never fathomed ending their own lives.

Though, suicidal pro-lifers seem to have this really simplistic attitude of "Hey, if I can get over this, so can you!" with no nuance whatsoever. And it's frustrating to deal with. They've been in our shoes. Hell, some of them still are. And yet, they're still so dismissive. The people who should be able to empathize with us the most invalidate us the worst. Did anyone else come across (ex) suicidal pro-lifers? I'm curious about how common this phenomenon is.

 

[jodes2]

I came across them all the time on Reddit, it was frustrating and surprising

 

[Cryptonite]

They're interesting to say the least. I've met people who actively have suicidal thoughts and those who tried to end their lives multiple times in the past. And, even though they know first-hand how awful life gets, they still force others to live. See, I could at least understand a pro-lifer acting like this if they never fathomed ending their own lives.

Though, suicidal pro-lifers seem to have this really simplistic attitude of "Hey, if I can get over this, so can you!" with no nuance whatsoever. And it's frustrating to deal with. They've been in our shoes. Hell, some of them still are. And yet, they're still so dismissive. The people who should be able to empathize with us the most invalidate us the worst. Did anyone else come across (ex) suicidal pro-lifers? I'm curious about how common this phenomenon is.

I think the reason behind this is that people naturally look after their own interests. Being dead is painful only for others. That's why they have no problem with CTBing themselves, but hate when people they know want to do the same. They simply don't want to experience any pain.

 

[Hirokami]

I think the reason behind this is that people naturally look after their own interests. Being dead is painful only for others. That's why they have no problem with CTBing themselves, but hate when people they know want to do the same. They simply don't want to experience any pain.

When you put it like that, it makes sense. If they are dead themselves, they can no longer experience pain. If someone else dies, they have to experience the pain of grief for who knows how long, especially if the other person is close to them. I'd argue that could be a fate worse than death for some.

 

[Euthanza]

They are parasuicidal, not suicidal but show same gestures that may lead to accidentally kill themselves. The difference is in the intention.

 

[NoLightRemains]

Ah, this sounds like how I was for awhile. Although I suffered greatly with suicidal thoughts while living in a traumatic situation growing up, I was able to recover for many years.

Later in life, when things were going relatively well for me, I ended up having a partner who greatly struggled with mental illness. When my late partner started to spiral downwards and struggle with suicide and self harming behaviors, I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to handle her pain, so I refused to truly empathize. The thought of her killing herself was too painful to think about, so I tried to downplay it. @Cryptonite 's message sums it up well:

I think the reason behind this is that people naturally look after their own interests. Being dead is painful only for others. That's why they have no problem with CTBing themselves, but hate when people they know want to do the same. They simply don't want to experience any pain.

Over two years later, my views have changed quite a bit. I still feel deep guilt over my inability to empathize, even though I do accept I could not save her. The most I can do now is try to be truly present for others who are suffering.

 

[freedompass]

Yes I have experienced this. I found it pretty annoying and hypocritical. Like I knew this one guy who had been in prison when his mother died. He wanted to off himself but ended up volunteering as a listener for other prisoners struggling emotionally. He actually told me what he'd say to these unfortunates. It consisted mostly of guilt tripping them about how their families would be affected. Imagine being in a deep depression in prison and that's the 'peer support' you get. Guy was an asshole. When I told him I was pro choice he'd get annoyed like I did something wrong. Nope, you gotta suffer and suck it up.

Another guy who springs to mind is the bipolar guy in the Bridge documentary called Kevin something. He actually jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge and survived. Now he's like a suicide prevention activist of some sort. It's quite a story, I mean, I wish him luck but…