ashfall
Member
- Jan 1, 2022
- 47
I strongly believe assisted suicide should be both legal and relatively easy to access. Legalising it would not only help alleviate the suffering of suicidal people, but I believe it would also make the process less traumatic for loved ones left behind.
The dominant narrative at the moment is that suicide is inherently selfish due to the pain it causes others. However, people on SS recognise the truth, that asking someone to suffer for decades to avoid hurting feelings is far more selfish. As deaths go, right now suicide is probably one of the most traumatic for loved ones. They often blame themselves and are tormented by what-ifs which can lead to the development of severe mental health issues. It shouldn't be like this though. While the death of someone you care about is always sad, I honestly believe that in a society where assisted suicide is legal and not demonised, the entire process would be far less upsetting for family and friends than other types of deaths. After all, while the specific reasons people choose to kill themselves vary, all of us share the feeling that life is too unbearable and not worth it. To us, death isn't something to be feared but an end to our suffering. I personally look forward to it.
In a society without stigma, we wouldn't have to hide our intentions. I could organise my own funeral and actually give all my stuff away as gifts rather than leaving everything in a will. I'd be able to donate my organs and actually meet the people whose lives my death will save. I could be honest with my family about my struggles and thoughts without worrying they'll get me committed to a psych ward. I'd be able to explain my thought process, assure them that it is not their fault and make them promise not to blame themselves. I could plan my last month and spend all my savings on holidays and days out with my family and friends to make final memories. I'd have a last meal with my family where we could all say our goodbyes and I could tell them how much I love them one last time.
I wouldn't have to die alone in a patch of trees near my house. Instead, I'd ctb painlessly in hospital, surrounded by everyone I love. I'd go to sleep holding my parents' hands, knowing that even if they don't understand and agree, they accept my decision and won't blame themselves.
There would be no body to find, no moment of shock, no self-blame and hatred. In a society with legal assisted suicide and no stigma, suicide would be less distressing for loved ones than accidents or illness related deaths. Everyone would understand that suicide is our choice and makes us happy.
At the end of the day, our world has limited resources. Between climate change, overpopulation and other issues, the simple fact is this planet has too many people. Someone who wants to die being forced to live is a complete waste of resources. I want to ctb. Every single breath I take is oxygen wasted on me. Every resource I use is basically thrown away. Every mental health service I attend is a space I take from someone who actually wants to get better. I am a burden on society and I don't plan to change.
I want to be dead. However, that doesn't mean I want to hurt people in the process. It's my life, my body and my choice, I shouldn't have to worry about societal condemnation and traumatising loved ones when making this decision. I know this is just a fantasy but I hope one day the world will be like this. Whether I live or die, it should be my decision and no one else's. I believe if laws and attitudes reflected that, suicide would be less upsetting for everyone involved.
Given this is a suicide forum, I know we are pretty much all pro-choice but what are everyone else's opinions and takes on this topic? Do you agree that it would be less traumatic for families? I know hoping for this is just a fantasy but do you wish the world was like this? Do you think there's ever any chance it will be? How would you spend your last month/ week/ day in a world without stigma and accessible assisted suicide??
The dominant narrative at the moment is that suicide is inherently selfish due to the pain it causes others. However, people on SS recognise the truth, that asking someone to suffer for decades to avoid hurting feelings is far more selfish. As deaths go, right now suicide is probably one of the most traumatic for loved ones. They often blame themselves and are tormented by what-ifs which can lead to the development of severe mental health issues. It shouldn't be like this though. While the death of someone you care about is always sad, I honestly believe that in a society where assisted suicide is legal and not demonised, the entire process would be far less upsetting for family and friends than other types of deaths. After all, while the specific reasons people choose to kill themselves vary, all of us share the feeling that life is too unbearable and not worth it. To us, death isn't something to be feared but an end to our suffering. I personally look forward to it.
In a society without stigma, we wouldn't have to hide our intentions. I could organise my own funeral and actually give all my stuff away as gifts rather than leaving everything in a will. I'd be able to donate my organs and actually meet the people whose lives my death will save. I could be honest with my family about my struggles and thoughts without worrying they'll get me committed to a psych ward. I'd be able to explain my thought process, assure them that it is not their fault and make them promise not to blame themselves. I could plan my last month and spend all my savings on holidays and days out with my family and friends to make final memories. I'd have a last meal with my family where we could all say our goodbyes and I could tell them how much I love them one last time.
I wouldn't have to die alone in a patch of trees near my house. Instead, I'd ctb painlessly in hospital, surrounded by everyone I love. I'd go to sleep holding my parents' hands, knowing that even if they don't understand and agree, they accept my decision and won't blame themselves.
There would be no body to find, no moment of shock, no self-blame and hatred. In a society with legal assisted suicide and no stigma, suicide would be less distressing for loved ones than accidents or illness related deaths. Everyone would understand that suicide is our choice and makes us happy.
At the end of the day, our world has limited resources. Between climate change, overpopulation and other issues, the simple fact is this planet has too many people. Someone who wants to die being forced to live is a complete waste of resources. I want to ctb. Every single breath I take is oxygen wasted on me. Every resource I use is basically thrown away. Every mental health service I attend is a space I take from someone who actually wants to get better. I am a burden on society and I don't plan to change.
I want to be dead. However, that doesn't mean I want to hurt people in the process. It's my life, my body and my choice, I shouldn't have to worry about societal condemnation and traumatising loved ones when making this decision. I know this is just a fantasy but I hope one day the world will be like this. Whether I live or die, it should be my decision and no one else's. I believe if laws and attitudes reflected that, suicide would be less upsetting for everyone involved.
Given this is a suicide forum, I know we are pretty much all pro-choice but what are everyone else's opinions and takes on this topic? Do you agree that it would be less traumatic for families? I know hoping for this is just a fantasy but do you wish the world was like this? Do you think there's ever any chance it will be? How would you spend your last month/ week/ day in a world without stigma and accessible assisted suicide??
