What are we doing wrong?
Why has suicide become such a viable option?
- Thread starter VegasMichael
- Start date
Hopelessness is epidemic.
Please don't tell me the 8 year old did it.
Suicide death rate U.S. 1950-2016 | Statistic
Suicide Statistics — AFSP
Pretty interesting. Very surprised that the 15 and under is the lowest rate.
Next lowest: 15-24.
Highest: Over 85
According to the stats I found, 1950 had nearly the same rate as today. There was a good dip for awhile and it crept back up.
I think like anything else there are a multitude of factors that cause someone to consider suicide. Why it's crept back up is anyone's guess. It's more publicized? Less of a negative stigma?
Suicide Statistics — AFSP
Pretty interesting. Very surprised that the 15 and under is the lowest rate.
Next lowest: 15-24.
Highest: Over 85
According to the stats I found, 1950 had nearly the same rate as today. There was a good dip for awhile and it crept back up.
I think like anything else there are a multitude of factors that cause someone to consider suicide. Why it's crept back up is anyone's guess. It's more publicized? Less of a negative stigma?
I wouldnt say it's "crept up" in a way.
I think like you said it's more publicized.. with people like Robin Williams, Chris Cornell, Chester, it's a big thing.
I think punishments had something to do with it, or self defense punishments. When I was in school and I got bullied, I was allowed to do something about it to stop it.
These days, many kids are punished for reacting. I've dated a couple girls who have had kids in school. Kid gets bullied, and gets hit. Kid defends themselves and gets punished for it. At that point the bully realizes.. kid cant defend themselves and the bullying gets worse.
Well thats ****ing bs. I would've gotten in trouble. Guess I would have for what I did in school to the guys that bullied me and others but nobody ratted and teachers weren't around to see it.
My theory is a portion of it is a result of the internet, specifically 1) seeing how someone/others could and do live, and 2) then reflecting on their current situation in life and their regrets. As Jim Norton put it... "sometimes we look at life like it's a dress rehearsal".
Obviously this mostly applies to people past their teens, but it also may result in the flip-side of the scenario where people get to see epic motivation to change their lives and what possibilities may exist for them.
Obviously this mostly applies to people past their teens, but it also may result in the flip-side of the scenario where people get to see epic motivation to change their lives and what possibilities may exist for them.
Before you blame millenials, or any other utes, check this out.
Short answer: It's "fight or flight" response where the "flight" is not physical. It's the result of entrapment, and regardless of what anyone says, it is logical to the mind.
Life is too turbulent and stressful these days. The expectations are high, rewards are thin, and the sacrifices to achieve them are steep. Many people (myself included) wander around asking "what's the point?" I have been on the receiving end of a phone call, multiple times, where someone was seconds from committing suicide and reached out. It's a hair-raising situation. And I'll admit, I've been alone in their shoes too, multiple times. Life takes one too many swings and some days it seems like an attractive option to "check out," and to the mind, it's no different than saying "screw this, I quit!" at work. It's a strange experience having talked someone down from a ledge, or putting down a gun, knowing full well that to them it spells relief. To them, they hear "keep suffering." Liken it to having the flu and being told to keep running a marathon.
The largest contributor to the overall depression of society is technology and social media.
Edit: My point is that it is hard to empathize with a suicidal individual's mindset unless you've been there yourself. It makes no logical sense to everyone else, but "perfect" sense to the victim. Keep this in mind if you are ever in a situation where you need to help someone.
Life is too turbulent and stressful these days. The expectations are high, rewards are thin, and the sacrifices to achieve them are steep. Many people (myself included) wander around asking "what's the point?" I have been on the receiving end of a phone call, multiple times, where someone was seconds from committing suicide and reached out. It's a hair-raising situation. And I'll admit, I've been alone in their shoes too, multiple times. Life takes one too many swings and some days it seems like an attractive option to "check out," and to the mind, it's no different than saying "screw this, I quit!" at work. It's a strange experience having talked someone down from a ledge, or putting down a gun, knowing full well that to them it spells relief. To them, they hear "keep suffering." Liken it to having the flu and being told to keep running a marathon.
The largest contributor to the overall depression of society is technology and social media.
Edit: My point is that it is hard to empathize with a suicidal individual's mindset unless you've been there yourself. It makes no logical sense to everyone else, but "perfect" sense to the victim. Keep this in mind if you are ever in a situation where you need to help someone.
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Social media is cancer.
To my knowledge not yet. But here's what bothers me: He is eventually going to be released to the environment that made him want to kill himself in the first place. I have no control over this.
My sister tried when she was 12. She's 49 now, with three beautiful grown kids, and a wonderful husband. She struggles with severe anxiety, but she made a good life for herself.
There is hope.
Who is "we"?
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Society, people, families, and so forth.
please, say it. pm me if needed. I have a lot of insight into the matter, but i dont want to misspeak. if by "we" you mean combat vets, I'll be happy to share my experiences. outside of that, I'm only guessing
Our country. Our neighbors. Our towns. Us.
I've looked over a few datasets and have spotted some trends, but I want to do a little more digging before I give a report.
I blame social media for most of it, combined with the coddling nowdays.
Social media presents such a distorted view of reality, it's really scary. You rarely see people post the shit parts of their lives. All you ever see is how great things are, how great they are, and "yeah, life is great!". People see that, look at their lives, and wonder what they're doing wrong. Everyone else's life seems perfect, why isn't theirs? Also, social media gives people a platform to say things they'd never say in person, and a far longer reach than ever before.
Add that to the fact that people don't know how to cope anymore, and it all adds up.
Just my .02.
Social media presents such a distorted view of reality, it's really scary. You rarely see people post the shit parts of their lives. All you ever see is how great things are, how great they are, and "yeah, life is great!". People see that, look at their lives, and wonder what they're doing wrong. Everyone else's life seems perfect, why isn't theirs? Also, social media gives people a platform to say things they'd never say in person, and a far longer reach than ever before.
Add that to the fact that people don't know how to cope anymore, and it all adds up.
Just my .02.
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