Suicide: Do you have the right to end your life?

[Orlandude]

As we can see here, everyone has a different approach on the subject which (I agree with some others) is very complex. To reach a point of destroying yourself is, in and of itself, not a sane act. You would never think of it if things were "normal". Barring terminal illness, if a person has these thoughts, I believe they should seek professional help immediately. Almost ALL emotional problems have a solution. That solution may be something that has not even entered your mind because you are so despondent that you are not thinking clearly or simply don't see a solution that may be very clear to a professional. In the case of terminal illness, there ALREADY IS "legal suicide" of sorts, at least in the U.S. It's called a "do not resusitate" clause in your will and in some hospital protocol. That means if you are terminally ill and the only way you can be kept alive is on machines, you are telling the doctors NOT to keep you attached to machines if that is the only way you can live. I would do that. If I ever reach a point where I can't live unless a machine is attached to me, that is not living. All it is doing is creating astronomical expense to you and/or your family with no hope of your condition ever changing. I would not want to live out days or years of my life bedridden and attached to machines. It is not natural. Just let me go peacefully.

 

[EveretteB1975]

In no way is suicide a cowardly act nor is it an attempt at attention.

I think we are talking about two completely different situations on here, though.

Firstly, the terminally ill. I strongly believe that everyone should have the right and opportunity in these situations to choose the time and circumstances of their death. Anyone who has not experienced extreme pain and discomfort, either personally or very closely to someone, are not in the position to understand this. To see someone go through extreme pain that cannot be relieved due to an illness that is going to take their life soon anyway, makes no sense whatsoever. Most of these situations are brought on by extending someone's life by means of intervention, anyway. Had those attempts not been made, the person would not have lingered to this point. What point is there in extending suffering to no avail? It is cruel and selfish to expect someone to tolerate such things for anyone else. I would much rather see anyone I love die earlier and easier than to endure pain for me to have a very short amount of more time with them. I love them too much to be that selfish.


Secondly, regarding suicide in other cases, it is horrifying to see the pain caused to families who survive suicide. The pain and often, guilt are something that I think most people never recover from, but rather learn to live with. I have had experience with severe depression and I can say that is not because I am weak or a coward. Anyone who thinks differently is ignorant of the reality of depression. I know I cannot judge anyone else's state of mind in commiting suicide, but I don't think that they are weak or cowardly. I am so sorry that they feel so in pain that they feel that it is the only way they can see at that point in time. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that even the best intentions or love or intervention can always prevent it from happening. Right or wrong has little relevance here. No matter how much anyone thinks it, I doubt that telling someone at that point that it is wrong is going to change anything.

I agreed with u 100%.

 

[Marbas]

Why do people think that those who are seriously considering suicide are in any way shape or form thinking RATionally, or are even SANE?

And this guilting shit..."Oh PLEASE don't kill yourself because then "I" and OTHERS will feel bad and sad."

Where the hell is the compassion and empathy? Though, truth be told, those who HAVEN't experienced the depth of emotional PAIN that those who are suicidal experience, and usually over a VERY great length of time, haven't a god damn fucking clue and should keep their intellectual observations to themselves.

Lord knows I wouldn't want to be opening my heart to and baring my hurt with YOU. No true understanding there.

Is it a cry for help, depends on how serious the person is. Those who actually carry it through DON'T see a way out, DON'T see an end to the pain and hurt. AREN'T moved positively by the rise of the sun, or the scent of mown grass, or the beauty of freshly fallen snow, or etc. and so on.

All they know is they HURT. BADly.

We have NO problem putting down a pet that's in pain, or hurt and sick with NO hope of recovery because it's huMANE to put them out of their misery. HUMANE, like they have some sort of HUMAN characteristics, but, we have NO problem prolonging the lives of those who are terminal also with NO hope...because WE don't want to have to deal with grieving for them. Who's being selfish now?

Fine, encourage people NOT to suicide, but you'd better be doing you DAMN best to help those who ARE in pain DEAL with the pain, to help them come THROUGH it so that instead of an IRrational view of themselves and their situation, they begin to gain some coping skills, and a means of riding the, somtimes, tempestuous waves of life.

If you're NOT capable of doing that, of coming up alongside someone and shoring them up, providing them as much emotional support as you can, then shut the fuck up and get on with YOUR life, and quit dumping on the backs of those who are already collapsing under an emotional burdern. They don't need your fucking guilt trips.

I'm quoting the whole of this excellent post just to ram the message home to to a few of the more cerebrally-challenged who've posted in this thread.

If you've never ever experienced suicidal feelings then consider yourself incredibely fortunate.

 

[Roland00]

1) In my mind yes a person has a right to end his life, but only after I take him out for a good time, and be there to give him an opportunity to connect, instead of him ending his life for he only feels pain.
2) It is illegal.

 

[Paws]

My first comment in this thread was sarcasm/satire. My real opinion on suicide is the opposite.

 

[Paxton]

It's my life. I can do whatever I want to do with it. Keep it. Loose it. Change it. No need nobody to tell me what I should do.