Suicide Myths
by Cherrybomb
The discussion of suicide in teenagers has come up a lot recently. On this email list a lot of people are saying that suicide is trendy. They're saying that suicide is selfish. They're saying that suicide is just a call for attention. Having gone through suicidal tendencies, researcing an article about suicide in Canada, interviewing one of the doctors from the clarke institue, interviewing counsellors from Kids Help Phone, and knowing a lot of people who have tried to kill themselves I feel like I have some sort of authority on this subject. So I want to respond to all of those. But remember I am not saying I know everything or that I'm right. These are my educated opinions.
Suicide is trendy, she's only doing it because it's
cool to be depressed.
People who use this as a defense for not showing compassion towards suicidal people make me mad. Sure I guess there might be people out there who pretend they're suicidal for kicks or whatever but I don't really think it happens often. I mean what happens if you ignore someone who's really serious about it? What would happen then? You can't ignore something like that. If someone is desperate enough and trusting enough to talk to you about it then there's probably something really wrong. Don't shrug it off. That's all I can really say about that one.
People CHOOSE to commit suicide, it's their own
fault.
No one chooses to be depressed and suicidal. I guess the final choice of killing themselves is up to them... but all the things that happened to get them to the point where they finally consider suicide were not their choices. Once people begin feeling suicidal it seems that suicide may be the only choice for them. I totally felt that way for a while... I know what it feels like.
Suidice is selfish.
Sad! I don't really understand this. When someone said this I said something to the effect of "well if you felt like everything was falling apart and you didn't have anyone, why would you think of anyone else? A lot of suicidal people go on thinking no one cares about them... I think depressed people have the right to be selfish if feeling suicidal is what you call selfish." I don't know what I think about it anymore... I don't know if my reasoning makes sense but I don't think its selfish.
Suicide is a call for attention.
What's the matter with wanting attention? Obviously there is something REALLY wrong if someone feels the only way to get attention is to talk about or attempt suicide. I'm not saying that suicidal people do this but I'm sure there may be a couple and if they are I don't see a problem with it. I know a lot of other people do. But sometimes people can only get attention with this sort of behavior.
Most of the time suicide is not for attention. It's about being unhappy. It's about wanting to get away from wherever they are. It's about wanting to end the sadness/isolation/rejection they feel or face daily.
And most importantly friends of suicidal people have to remember suicide is not about you. It's about your friend and what they're feeling. Do not get defensive. Do not blame yourself. BUT be there for them. Do everything you can and more. Be sensitive and kind and care and listen. It's important to be a friend to your suicidal friends. Not their enemies.
Home Issue Five News Wonky Info Wonky Writers Past Issues Wonky Links Wonky Email Geocities
