I came here looking for methods. I stayed because of the interesting conversations and support network and because I can be honest here about how I'm really feeling. Plus, I could potentially be here for a while as I wait for my Dad to go first. I find this place enormously supportive and a good distraction in that time.
A lot of us don't want to burden or worry people in our real lives with talk of suicide. It doesn't always end so well. Best case scenario- you get sympathy and support but now those people will be worrying about you. Or, you may not get such a supportive response. Some people get annoyed/ frustrated/ bored because they want you to fix your problems and stop bothering them with them. Some will start to ignore you. You can see that all played out here. People feeling even more alone because their family and friends aren't taking them seriously. Or- they do take you very seriously and you end up in a psyche ward!
I wish that people who write critical articles about this place would actually look at that side of it too. Why do they think people come here and more importantly- stay here? I imagine it's because the environment is different to most other places. People I'd say are hopefully more heard here- rather than being bullied. (Although, not always.) Plus, they can say how they feel and not get white washed with a bunch of platitudes.
It's interesting that multiple people have apparently asked you why you're here. I don't think you're the usual pro-life evangelist we tend to get now and then. I'm guessing it's more curiosity. Plus, there are interesting conversations going on here. I don't think any of us can deny that we use this place to distract us too. Plus, I got the impression from the welcome and rules I read when I joined that this forum isn't just for the suicidal. It's a place to discuss the subject of suicide.
If you are receiving animosity though, it may be that whole: 'Everybody hates a tourist.' People don't like feeling their troubled lives are being seen as some sort of curiosity or entertainment. Not saying that you are here for that of course. But I guess, most people just assume they are around other people who feel the same or, at least similarly about life and death. People likely get a bit nervous/ defensive around others they see as pro-life or, 'normies' because they have maybe had bad experiences with them in the past. A lot of people I think come on here to get away from all that in 'real' life.
Of course, we're all on a some level of pro-life to promortalist. So- depending where you are on that scale tends to dictate how much positivity you can stomach! The more promortalist members want this place to be as sombre and focused on misery and methods as possible whereas, other suicidal people may still have a very strong sense of humour and welcome a bit of distraction to get them through another day.
Not to criticise you though- because you're not slinging loads of platitudes around. It's interesting though- don't you think that people can sense someone with a different attitude towards life, even if you haven't come right out and said it?
there's also good questions/posts sometimes, & i like thinking on + answering them. it's the only form of socialization i have.
