"The Teen Suicide Epidemic"

[thesummerqueen]

http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/07/...ide?page=1

I don't always agree with Mother Jones, nor do I hold with blaming Bachman for everything (much as I'd love to), but I do want to point out the things these right-wing candidates allow to fester in their communities.

[Minimalist]

Bachmann is just the talking head for arrogant xtian bigots. Only xtians would take her seriously.

Which says far more about them than it does about her.

[Shell B]

That makes me want to punch someone in the head.

[Faith No More]

Suicide is a subject that is very dear to my heart having survived my own suicide attempt only to experience my best friend kill himself 2 1/2 years later. It is a much bigger problem than most people realize and has many contributing factors. Self-loathing is a large contributor to the mental state that can lead to suicide. The pervasive notion propagated by the religious and their political counterparts that homosexuality is an abomination unto god, merely serves as an excuse for kids to bully each other and another reason for a young person just starting to figure out his/herself to have self-hatred.

The fact that all of this is being largely ignored gives us a hint into the motivations behind the people pushing this accepted hatred. Since they believe that sexuality is a choice, I'm sure they believe that people are bringing this upon themselves. The fact that they are even ignoring the bullying against people who are only perceived as homosexual, just shows how far they will go to push their agenda, and how little they actually care for the individual.

This official condemnation of homosexuality by political and religious authorities needs to be exposed for what it is, hatred and bigotry disguised as a moral agenda to make the world a holier place.

[DeistPaladin]

Here's a part of the article that confused me:

In November, Samantha started to cheer up, and Michele started to think she had turned a corner. Over Veterans Day weekend, she bought Samantha some new clothes, which, to her surprise, were a hit. On Veterans Day, they made plans to play football in the backyard and to grill outside. Michele and her boyfriend, John, went to the store to rent a movie and pick up some food. When they pulled into the driveway a half-hour later, John heard the gun shot.

Does anyone on this board know anything about the psychology of suicide? Is it common for a suicidal person to have a bounce back in his or her mood (or an apparent one)?

[Faith No More]

Here's a part of the article that confused me:

In November, Samantha started to cheer up, and Michele started to think she had turned a corner. Over Veterans Day weekend, she bought Samantha some new clothes, which, to her surprise, were a hit. On Veterans Day, they made plans to play football in the backyard and to grill outside. Michele and her boyfriend, John, went to the store to rent a movie and pick up some food. When they pulled into the driveway a half-hour later, John heard the gun shot.

Does anyone on this board know anything about the psychology of suicide? Is it common for a suicidal person to have a bounce back in his or her mood (or an apparent one)?

Absolutely. When one makes the decision to kill themselves, the burden of life is lifted from them and they will seem to finally have found happiness. It is because they know the pain is going to end. I hung out with my best friend the day before he killed himself and he seemed to be coping fairly well for the situation he was in. It was only because he had already decided to kill himself, and he came home to hang out with me one last time.

[DeistPaladin]

Absolutely. When one makes the decision to kill themselves, the burden of life is lifted from them and they will seem to finally have found happiness. It is because they know the pain is going to end. I hung out with my best friend the day before he killed himself and he seemed to be coping fairly well for the situation he was in. It was only because he had already decided to kill himself, and he came home to hang out with me one last time.

So if I know a friend or have a loved one who is depressed and then suddenly has an inexplicable rebound, this could be a warning sign? What, from your experience, could be done or said to find out and break that cycle before it's too late?

I'm glad you're here with us (edit to clarify: that you survived and didn't deprive yourself and everyone else).

[reverendjeremiah]

Yeah..thats teabaggers for you. Notice how they blame the victim....notice how the switch everything around

[Tiberius]

So if I know a friend or have a loved one who is depressed and then suddenly has an inexplicable rebound, this could be a warning sign? What, from your experience, could be done or said to find out and break that cycle before it's too late?

I too have suffered/am suffering from depression and have contemplated suicide at multiple points during my life. It isn't a nice journey; you become very depressed for weeks and then feel very positive when you make the decision to go through with it. I was lucky to be pulled back from the brink by my friends, so I've never got to the point where I actively tried to harm myself, but I've been in the phase where I could have easily done something, and whilst you still feel down and depressed, you have a weird sense of being.

People don't bounce back from depression quickly. If they do, they are either going to quickly sink back into it (i.e. it is a temporary uplift), or they are planning to end their lives and feel positive about making such a decision. It should be taken as a warning sign; just let them know you are there for them, and that if they need to talk to you at any point, they can.

[Faith No More]

So if I know a friend or have a loved one who is depressed and then suddenly has an inexplicable rebound, this could be a warning sign? What, from your experience, could be done or said to find out and break that cycle before it's too late?

Yes, an inexplicable, quick turnaround can be cause for concern. If you are really concerned about the person, there is always involuntary hospitalization, but that should only be done when there is a great fear the person will harm themselves. If the person does not have professional help, i.e. a psychiatrist or therapist, urge them to seek it out. If someone already has professional help, then the best thing is to talk to them about how they're feeling and show them that you care for them. Avoid being confrontational at all costs as it will just cause more issues. Suicidal people feel alone in the world and the best thing you can do for them is to show them that you are with them in the fight.

Depression is a hell of a thing though, and if someone is determined to kill themselves it is very difficult to stop. The best thing is to prevent them from getting to that point.

I'm glad you're here with us (edit to clarify: that you survived and didn't deprive yourself and everyone else).

Thanks, I appreciate that, but to be honest, sometimes I wonder if it was a good thing. I am very content in my life now and my depression is pretty much under control. Is my life now worth all of the pain I've endured? I would say yes, but sometimes I'm not so sure.