Suicide Thoughts and Opinions?

[Phx0808]

The following headline circulated the local media here:

AZ's suicide rate rises among middle-aged

Basically the suicide rate for people between 38 and 64 has risen dramatically. Being in that age group, I certainly understand why.
I am depressed, but no where near suicidal.

What are your thoughts on suicide?
Leave them alone and let them do it or lock them up until they can see a life ahead?

 

[skrogman]

Sorry, but you asked the question.  I do not believe that either of those options are good choices.  No, I would not leave them alone, but being locked up does not help their situation.  I would try to get them to talk and be a friend enough to listen to see if I could figure what resources may help their situation.  If their is anything I could do to ease their burden, I certainly would.  If there is something they are hurting for, I would try my best to see how they could best try to get what they need, if possible.

These are tough times financially and these days are very depressing.  Sometimes all we need is to know that it is rough all over and that NO ONE is really getting all the bills paid and living paycheck to paycheck is depressing but very common.  It's even rougher on single parents, but if we stick together and help each other out, the sun will rise again on another day.

[mill8277]

A coworker of mine recently buried her cousin who drove on the train track to end her life...she left a long letter explaining why...she said she was tired of being sick...she was born with MS and had to have surgery after surgery, and was getting ready for another surgery......I'm  not her so I can't begin to understand how she feel.....I'm glad she did not decide to take the lives of others who may not have been ready to die.....if a person wanna end it all, that's on them, but when they take the lives of others that's wrong....I feel sorry for the loved ones who will now grieve their loss....
There are many alternatives to ending ones life....sometimes pride gets in our way and we refuse to go to a doctor and tell them we are thinking and feeling that was....there are groups who get together and express these normal human emotions....seek help if you feel like ending it all........

[Phx0808]

Sorry, but you asked the question.  I do not believe that either of those options are good choices.  No, I would not leave them alone, but being locked up does not help their situation.  I would try to get them to talk and be a friend enough to listen to see if I could figure what resources may help their situation.  If their is anything I could do to ease their burden, I certainly would.  If there is something they are hurting for, I would try my best to see how they could best try to get what they need, if possible.

These are tough times financially and these days are very depressing.  Sometimes all we need is to know that it is rough all over and that NO ONE is really getting all the bills paid and living paycheck to paycheck is depressing but very common.  It's even rougher on single parents, but if we stick together and help each other out, the sun will rise again on another day.

I think it was a great response. You certainly have nothing to apologize for, and those who call you friend are very lucky indeed.

[tinaryerson]

my mom committed suicide a few years ago....a very selfish thing to do.  A permanent solution to a temporary problem.

[lorettahknox]

I didn't want to deal with this question but I cannot walk away from it. If you are thinking of this please do not do it. I know you have probably heard this a thousand times but things will get better. Trust me. If you are thinking of hurting or killing yourself it doesn't get worse than that. I know sometimes people have issues with health that are horrible and they suffer so much from this, if you have an incurable illness or are in a lot of pain life is more precious than giving up. The thing about suicide is you'll never know how things would have turned out if you just were a  more patient, if you fought just one more time. I have had some horrible times in my life and when it got too hard I cried out to God to help me and things changed. Try it, it works!  

[madeara]

Suicide is a serious problem.  Suicide is not the answer.  If someone were suicidal, I would encourage them to seek help from a trained professional.

[hstille]

My brother committed suicide at a young age because he was depressed and in alot of trouble...I don't believe you should lock them up or leave them alone,i honestly believe that you need to let them know they are not alone and that you are there for them and talk to them about the decision they are about to make and how that is not going to solve anything or make matters any better and try to show them how much heart ache they would cause with the whole situation!I wish I could have been there when my brother was in that situation because then maybe he would still be here with me today!

[nhendrickson]

People who are so depressed that they commit suicide are seriously mentally ill so suggesting that we leave them alone is one step away from suggesting that we let sick people die because they must be weak IMO.  People who have severe clinical depression often don't think clearly or rationally so they can't see any alternatives to what they are doing.  They need compassion and treatment (which doesn't mean just "locking them up") to help them get better, not to be ignored or blamed for their problems.

[wccohn]

This is a very sensitive topic for me. Actually on this exact day of last year one of my good friends ended his own life.

[samrhett2]

I have lots of first hand knowledge about depression and anxiety.  It runs in the family.  If being depressed and feeling like you want to die is not bad enough, try finding help when you need it.  Even those who can pay cash will often wait for weeks or months to get in to see a psychiatrist.  It has happened to me over the years in two different states.  I am dealing with it right now for a family member and it is maddening.

I am so sick of everyone saying:  Oh what a shame, so and so killed themselves.  If they had just reached out for help.....

Well, people I am here to tell you, real help that works is very hard to get.  To be admitted to a mental hospital and have it covered your almost always have to say you are going to kill yourself or someone else.  Otherwise, they tell you that you do not need hospitalization. 

We have got to improve mental health services.  It is a major problem.  My heart goes out to anyone who suffers.  It is absolutely like living in hell.  When I was little my parents said that God sent people to hell who committed suicide.  I don't believe that at all.  Those people are suffering and no longer responsible for that action.

[msmoneybags48]

I don't consider suicide to be an option.  While reading what you are saying, I am 54 and have never been so happy or grateful to be in this world.  Killing yourself does nothing except hurt your loved ones, who want to know what happened that drove you to this.  I have been depressed, but suicide is not an option for me.  Before choosing an option like this, you should talk to someone.  Let me share this with you; my father was 31 when he passed of brain cancer.  He was not a part of my life because my late grandmother and mother chose to not let him be a part of my life.   He died 11 days into my 2nd birthday.  For years, after turning 21, I feared I would, too die at the age of 31.  Then I had my daughter, and decided I wanted to live to see her grow up, to be a grandmother, and I have seen both.  Whether you believe it or not, there are better options than suicide.

[mstevenson2]

i myself have thought it and started to take pills

[samrhett2]

Other options sound great in theory, but try to put yourself in this situation:

You feel every minute like you are about to die.  You are so anxious that words cannot describe your level of fear.  You feel absolutely terrified.  It never stops.  People keep telling you to get a hold of yourself.  They get disgusted because they don't understand why you have fear when there is nothing to fear.  You call a psychiatrist for an appointment.  After being told that it will cost $250 for a new patient and they don't take insurance, you agree to find a way to pay the fee, because you are so sick you have not been able to work in a few months.  This makes people around you act like you are lazy.  The receptionist then says that the doctor will be able to see you in six weeks.  You pray with all your might that you can hang on that long.

You make it the six weeks and the doctor tells you that he is going to try a drug that might help, might not help or could actually make you worse.  There are all kinds of nasty side effects.  Then he tells you that if you are going to notice an improvement it will take 4-6 weeks because most psychiatric meds take a long time to work.  You ask for a tranquilizer to help you sleep or make it until the medicine starts to work.  The doctor denies your request because he says that he would not want to get you hooked on drugs. 

Now six weeks later, the meds don't work, in fact you feel that you are worse.  You pray that you would die.  No one understands how horrible you feel and your friends and family won't even speak to you anymore because they are tired of you hiding out in your house and not being able to re arrange your negative thinking.  You go back to the doctor and he says that now we will try a new medication and again it will take 4-5 weeks to see if it is going to help.

I went through pretty much this scenario for years.  I mean like 5 years!  Now you can make two choices when you can't take it anymore.  You can self-medicate with alcohol or illegal drugs, or you can kill yourself.  Those who make it out of this situation will tell you that you would not wish this on even your worst enemy.   Mental illness is a lonely place to be.  I am so sorry for those of you with family members that chose to take their lives, but please try to understand the level of pain, terror and confusion.

[reiddb]

I have found that people often find themselves depressed and not wanting to live because they have no purpose in life.  They have lost sight of why they are here.  Another thing that I have learned is that most people do not even really know why they are even here.  There is never going to be a real reason to exist until we look to the Bible and see what life is all about!  Scriptures tells us that we were created by God and that He wanted a relationship with us. When we sin or do something God told us not to, we break that relationship with him and we deserve death.  He knew we couldn't keep His laws so He had a plan to send His son, Jesus, to take our form and live our lives and yet he never broke any of God's laws and was perfect.  He allowed himself to be killed on a cross for our sins that if we believe this and ask God to forgive us and ask Him to be His, to direct and guide and serve...He will.  That is when we find our purpose for this life and the one after this life.  God created each of us with a great purpose but most never find it.  Yes, we have to give up our ideas of what is happiness or give up what we want to follow Him....but that is where true joy and peace is and even though situations may not be happy or good, we always know God have a purpose in it and we can trust Him and serve Him anyway.  Find your purpose and reason for living in Christ...you won't regret it or the live He's given you!!