Practicality of the Suicide Thread

[SexayMistahBee]

Suf didn't like this thread being in the something for all section and decided to lock it, so I guess that I'll repost it here

Http://sythe.org/showthread.php?t=1293734
I am questioning the practicality of this thread.
It claims to give reasons why you shouldn't commit suicide and it does have nice things in there, but barely anything there is related
to suicide itself.

Would anybody on the verge of killing homself that read it actually be deterred from doing so? Would he think, "oh yes, the feeling of sand between my toes are awesome, I should stay alive"? Or would he think, "why the fuck do rollercoasters and sand between my toes matter?"

I guess that I have a disorder related to depression and it sometimes gets me seriously thinking about suicide. Once, I read that thread and almost threwy phone.

So I'll get back to the question.
Does that thread actually serve a practical purpose, or is it just a spam thread with a misleading title?

Your opinion and knowledge, please.

 

[SuF]

If you have a problem with a sticky take it up with a mod or in the feedback / suggestion forums.

 

[Sypherz]

I'm going to unlock this and move it to suggestions, as I think the OP has a point. Having some of my closest friends being severely suicidal I know that there is always that one thing that they care about keeping them alive. But spewing off hundreds of little things isn't a good idea. As the OP said, no one is going to read "mm.. sand between my toes" and suddenly change their mind. Depression can not be cured by thoughts of happiness and things that other people like. It is totally counter productive and in some cases can remind people of what they can't have, as sad as it sounds. If there is something that is going to keep you alive, you already know what it is.

 

[mustard2]

I never thought the thread's purpose was suicide prevention. I saw it more like a place where people told others the little things that made life worth living in their opinion.

The title may be a bit misleading, but that doesn't automatically make it a spam thread...

 

[Sypherz]

I don't think that the issue is that it's a spam thread. And I think it would be fine if it was just a "great things in life" thread.

 

[Finn]

As creator of the Personal Support section, I find it dismaying that such rubbish has not only been allowed to be posted but that it has been endorsed officially in the form of a sticky! It's embarrassing and shows poor management. I'm not saying this to be a prick or take a stab at anyone. I'm just disappointed to see what was a well-managed section contain garbage such as that thread now that I am not around.

I refer back to my reporting of the thread to qualify my position on it.

This thread really shouldn't even be in existence, let alone made a sticky. Its notions are risible -- the suggestion that the feeling of sand between one's toes is somehow going to be of relief to someone suicidal really misses the point.

Every incident of suicide, or contemplating suicide, is different. To help someone through issues in this area, a specific approach has to be taken, in accordance with the specific nature of their predicament. A blanket approach won't work, and, similarly, a thread such as this does nothing more than alienate individuals further -- no suicidal individual will see it and seriously relate; rather it will result in them feeling more alone than ever, concluding that no one understands their situation or the gravity of it.

On a practical level, it's also a terrible mess and just comes across as very immature. I know that if I were suicidal I wouldn't take it, or its posters, seriously. Also worth pointing out that those that are suicidal are more likely to sit and talk to someone that isn't automatically stating ''DON'T COMMIT SUICIDE'' - rather they are more likely to avoid expressing their feelings to individuals that react immediately without becoming informed about the situation at hand.

Just my two cents, hope you guys will think about it.
Good to see the section is still doing well!

 

[cane191]

I myself was in a very dark place once and I can for a fact say reading things about it helped me. Its a different feeling when you actually can read stuff and understand you aren't alone. I know it changed my mind..

 

[alf3mb]

I honestly am not trying to rip on anyone here, but I have never even seen Shoop apart from the feedback thread. This should just be unstickied, but I do agree it could be more hurtful than helpful. For example, if someone posts about going to the beach, they could remember that they haven't been to the beach since they were a kid or something, I'm not sure, but hopefully you can see what i'm saying.

 

[Robot Jesus]

Personally, I think some of the things in that thread are irrelevant. But, I think it is the thought that counts. If you are thinking about suicide, it is going to take a lot more than a thread to help you. You probably need some professional help.

Not disrespecting anyone who has those thoughts. Just my opinion.

 

[alf3mb]

Personally, I think some of the things in that thread are irrelevant. But, I think it is the thought that counts. If you are thinking about suicide, it is going to take a lot more than a thread to help you. You probably need some professional help.

Not disrespecting anyone who has those thoughts. Just my opinion.

Professional help is bullshit, they think you are batshit insane and make you sit in a room by yourself for 24 hours with padding so you don't hurt yourself (first hand experience)

 

[SexayMistahBee]

Professional help is bullshit, they think you are batshit insane and make you sit in a room by yourself for 24 hours with padding so you don't hurt yourself (first hand experience)

Well, it is the government's duty to keep the citizens alive and I wouldn't be surprised if they webt through extreme measures to do so, however unenecessary just to do that.

Thanks for the support guys, this thread initially started to discuss the practicality of the thread, but I guess that it's now more of a suggestion to have the thread removed and if not, at least unstickied with a name change.

 

[BGlave]

I didn't think the thread was offensive. I think it was the posts behind it. I think this thread is something personal.

 

[cane191]

Professional help is bullshit, they think you are batshit insane and make you sit in a room by yourself for 24 hours with padding so you don't hurt yourself (first hand experience)

From my experience (I'm still struggeling with things) the professional help isn't Bullshit at all. I mean it may not fix it all. But if you are in the same position i am or even was, then you would know how nice it feels for even just one person u don't even know to talk to. And no they don't think your insane. Its their job to help you out and get you better. I'm really good friends with my counsler because of my problems in life I've had, and he doesn't think I'm insane. I have no idea what you mean by a padding room either your just trying to troll (which if you are thats VERY offensive to me... Or you didn't go to a Councler. Whenever I go we talk in a normal room about my problems, And yes i have tried commiting a few times and still havent gotten put in a padded room.. Sorry for the long reply.

O/T: I know for myself that this thread has helped me out, even though some of it is crap. Like I stated before, I really felt a lot better when I read through threads and other fourms in the personal help. You have my full support of keeping this thread up and I will gladly contribute to it as I am still trying to fix myself.

~Cane

 

[Dragon4usa]

Professional help is bullshit, they think you are batshit insane and make you sit in a room by yourself for 24 hours with padding so you don't hurt yourself (first hand experience)

you should think a little more before you post instead of spewing shit from your mouth in the form of words, many of us have a time in our lives when we feel as if things have hit rock bottom and cant get better, some people aren't as fortunate as others with a healthy support system or family that is there for them to ease the pain or burden and comfort that individual, professional help has done wonders for those people who want to change and who WANT to make things better, its like the old saying " you can lead a horse to water, but you cant make it drink" meaning someone could have issues and have a therapist to tell them what to do or give advice but unless that person chooses to utilize that advice, its like talking to a wall, every situation is different and so is each person, you may have been in a padded room, but they would only put you there if they felt you were a danger to another or yourself, to protect you and those around you, they do things for a reason, i will end this statement.... for now

 

[Sypherz]

I'm glad if the thread is helping people. I still feel thst the title and OP should be edited though.

 

[Dragon4usa]

on another note i hadnt even read the thread kinda skimmed it but nice to know there were 2 intelligent posts above mine

 

[SexayMistahBee]

I'm glad if the thread is helping people. I still feel thst the title and OP should be edited though.

I'll edit the content so that the point of the thread is more obvious, but I'll need help editing the title to somethibg more favorable

 

[cane191]

Maybe it could be changed to something of the sort like: Reasons To keep a life, Why life is great, People here to help, The happiness to life, We help you escape the darkness, Suicide awareness, Support with life's struggles, Friends always help (considering people are always what the #1 solution to stopping suicide is. I know from experience). These are all i have on the top of my head and of course only suggestions I give you permission to use any or change any for the sake of this thread as I know it will help people.

 

[burny]

Title should be changed but I found the thread to be a nice cheer up on a darker day

 

[Laptop65]

If the thread helps people, then keep it as it is. Although, maybe change the thread title to something different but with the same meaning. There a few posts in there that are either unhelpful or just plain spam, if Shoop or someone wouldn't mind going through it when they have the time, that would be great.