Discussion UK: Parliament e-petition debate relating to suicide prevention and the national curriculum

[Jojogu]

UK Government and Parliament Petitions: Make suicide prevention a compulsory part of the school curriculum.

We want suicide spoken about in schools in a safe and age-appropriate way. Speaking about suicide saves lives

The Dept for Education are conducting a review of the RSHE curriculum; this petition calls on the DfE to include suicide prevention within the statutory guidelines of the new curriculum.

Suicide is the biggest killer of under-35s in the UK and over 200 school-aged children take their lives each year. Yet suicide is not currently referenced in the school curriculum.

Having recently been invited to hear the former Secretary of State's statement regarding the new 10-year Suicide Prevention Strategy, we were heartened to learn how seriously Government was taking this critical subject, but we feel efforts need to go further if we are to save lives.

UK Parliament debated this petition, which received 160,084 signatures, on the 13 March 2023:

 

[Fwompje]

Interesting! I saw some pro-lifers on twitter who really want to shut down SaSu who also went to parliament (if I remember correctly). I really hope this suicide prevention won't get rid of helpful forums for free speech, I hope they actually try to help suicidal people with their problems instead. Suicide isn't the problem, it's just a consequence.

 

[FuneralCry]

Suicide prevention is really just prolonging suffering, to be honest the only reason for something like this is, is so that the society doesn't lose all the wage slaves. It's disgusting to wish to brainwash young children into becoming pro life, those delusional people should just accept the fact that many people simply want to die.

The right to die is what should be being discussed in parliament instead, we are all destined to die anyway so many people just want to exit at a time they can control. For many the thought of death is the only relief from this hell and that is the reality despite the petitions that pro lifers try to create. I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted to make suicide illegal just to punish people who are aware that existing is just worthless suffering.

 

[AngryDog]

I think it's a great idea. It would help to destigmatize suicidal ideation among the youth and prevent unnecesary deaths. I wish I was informed in such an open way when I was in school. Would have made things much easier. Talking about it openly is a good step forward for people to receive the help and/or treatment they need.

 

[Shadowlord900]

I wish the governments would focus more of their money, time and effort into other endeavors that can easily be the root cause for why most people want to CTB (bully prevention, preventing abuse from parents etc.) instead of a movement where, if it's anything like what most anti-suicide groups already do, is only going to agitate suicidal people even more. Because said movements don't really try to help people solve the root cause of their problem, they just wag their finger at them and say "Suicide bad! Be happy!".

 

[RichardFirst]

I would never advise anyone to CTB, but society has got to reach the point where it accepts that some of us simply don't want to be here. No one should HAVE to CTB, but those who want it should be allowed to do so painlessly, peacefully and with dignity.

 

[unknownus3r0]

I think suicide prevention is good to teach before a person becomes suicidal. After they become suicidal it's just prolonged suffering and there's nothing you can do to prevent that.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I don't think it's a bad idea asuch. I think anything that encourages dialogue about the topic has to help in de-stigmatising it. Just the suggestion that someone COULD feel bad enough to want to take their own life I expect will be affirming to some people.

I wasn't sure how to feel about the thoughts initially- I was only 10. I'd been taught that having those sorts of thoughts was 'wrong' in the first place- yet I couldn't ignore the fact that they were there. Being told that it's kind of understandable to feel that way likely would have helped and made me more open to talk about it.

That all said- I'm sure- once again that the emphasis will be placed on mental illness- depression. That maybe the suicidal person isn't thinking clearly. Or that their unhappiness is linked to a current situation that might well change. PERHAPS it will make a few people reflect and get support. I'm not against people recovering- of course.

Having said that though- I think- as usual- these pro-lifers will do suicidal people- even minors a great diservice and underestimation. It feels to me VERY similar to the recent YouTube video slamming this place: 'I'm an influencial figure- so- when I tell you suicide is bad and should be prevented- you should believe me... What's more- if you don't believe me- you're not thinking clearly and need help' type message. I simply don't think ALL suicidal people will go for this.

If someone had given me some kind of lesson on preventing suicide- even in my teens- I would have felt VERY cynical towards it. People become suicidal for specific reasons I would say mostly. A part of that I would say is a disillusionment with society and the world- I think even children can learn pretty young that they are just being groomed to be a cog in a machine. It doesn't take long to realise just how competitive and hard life is. I think even children are smarter than people give them credit for. I reckon they'll see that this whole preservation of life is really only just there to try and preserve the workforce.

Plus, the phrasing kind of says it all for me:

'Suicide is the biggest killer of under-35s in the UK and over 200 school-aged children take their lives each year.'

I'd say suicide CAN indeed be a killer but most of the time, it is a decision to end suffering. They phrase it like it is a disease that just happens or like it's a cause- like smoking. Suicide is surely just the last tragic symptom pointing to just how bad that person's life felt. I'm not saying that SOMETIMES suicides are committed in a manic, impulsive state- although I have to wonder just how often this happens. I find it hard to believe that many people who do it have never contemplated it before. I think- once again- it's insulting to say suicide is a killer- it takes away agency.