No doubt. I'd like to share this blog post I read earlier today, written by someone who was stationed in Kirkuk, Iraq in 2003:

http://mordfilm.wordpress.com/2014/0...ill-be-missed/

I'm no psychiatrist and I don't understand how the mind copes with depression because each person is unique. It's a shame when people use suicide as the last resort to their problems. But in my opinion and I am sorry to say this and not to be mean or disrespectful, but suicide is a coward's way out of life as many would say.

RIP

I know many people who share this opinion, but it is not correct to assume this. You have to understand that the mental status of severely depressed people is altered (you can call it chemical imbalances, but that's a bit too simplistic). This mental alteration can also be caused by drugs and rarely prescription drugs.

A person with an altered state of mind is not competent to make decisions (especially if suicidal). The word "cowardice" implies that a person's ability to reason is normal, that they are able to understand the world around them and make competent decisions. This is clearly not the case and you cannot call someone a coward unless they are mentally sound. Much like you cannot convict a murderer who is not mentally sound.

Here are some real-life examples. A person may want to commit suicide, but will accept help from others. I know of a case where the police threatened a suicidal person with a gun, and the person complied. If they truly wanted to die and were rational, they would have said "shoot me". No, these people need and want help, and calling them cowards doesn't do any good. Sure, some people may think, it can't happen to me, but it can, and you should be weary of your mental state. Get help ASAP like sundialsvcs says.

Hi

What I meant by cowardice are for those people who match your criteria above where they are sill competent and understand the world around them, but would rather take their lives because of a set back in their lives or some minor depression. For example, we have read how some people commit suicide because they lose their job.

But if the person is in a severe depression where they take illegal drugs, prescriptions drugs and/or alcohol and their mental state is not rational then that is a different story and not cowardice.

In either case, they should seek help ASAP as you said.

It seems likely that those people fall into the same category of making an irrational decision. Suiciding for the sole reason of a losing a job doesn't sound like it was made by a "mentally competent" individual. Most likely in those cases there were other factors involved.

"Rarely?" I have to disagree. But there's been enough written about that on the Internet and in books—and in the news—that I won't attempt to back it up unless someone specifically asks me to cite sources.

Having been on the internet for years I wasn't going to risk "feeding the trolls" but I find that I just can't let it go. Is this some hardass pose that you thought others would somehow enjoy or revere? or is this just how you really see other people and life in general? If so, I suggest you seek professional help because it appears you are in danger, either to yourself or others, or both.

Unfortunately there are thoughtless people everywhere. I hope none of the people here who have made such low comments ever feel so low that they just don't have the capability of thinking clearly.

Indeed, I doubt anyone who contemplates suicide is mentally competent, in fact ethically they cannot be considered competent.

So you mean, drugs and rarely, prescription drugs cannot cause mental alterations ? I would really like to see some decent quality studies that would show otherwise. However, there isn't too much point in it, because by definition drugs cause alterations, and psychoactive drugs cause mental alterations, some of which lead to suicidal behavior. I don't know what kind of study can debunk that. Maybe you meant something else ?

They can. I agree with that. I interpreted what you said as "it's rare to happen with prescription drugs (I assume you meant psych meds?). "It" being a mental alteration that causes someone to suicide when they otherwise would not have.

I think it's a lot more common than rare, and a lot more under-reported, mostly because there's no test that can determine what kind of role a med played in a person's suicide.

Well, there are many facets to the issue. I posted most of my opinions about meds (with supporting links) already. I hope no one minds:
When treating mental illness, more caution should be taken before prescribing medication

Some of the links in that piece are more credible than others. I am aware that some of the links contain anecdotal evidence. I tried to be as balanced as I could. To anyone who reads it, it'll be obvious that as well as using information from other sources, my experience is personal. My first thoughts of suicide happened at ten years old, two years after my dad suicided (approx. a week after he started a psych med). I first started treatment when I was 19 or 20, around '92. I've had... mixed results being a patient in the mental health system. I'd like to see some problems with that system fixed, I hear about the effectiveness of treatment, meds, and suicide hotlines, but it'd be nice to see the mental health system be more affordable and accessible. A dose of reality and an honest discussion might go a long way to give people incentive to seek help when they are struggling or in crisis.

Well, there are psychotherapy treatments for depression too, but some states of depression are too severe to be reasoned with. There's no way you can talk to people who are not rational. Medications may help get them to a better state, and then some psychotherapy may be useful. All medications have side-effects and it can be expected that when taking mind-altering drugs that your mind can be altered the wrong way. I mean, the exact mechanisms of many of these medications are not fully understood, especially when you combine them, which is common. I think if there is more close monitoring of people taking them, things should improve.

As for affordability, that's a very complicated issue. If you've been to places outside the US you'll know that it can be worse, but sometimes better too.

No pose or flamebait intended - I just don't see the point agonising over, or trying in vain to stop, people who have decided (for whatever reason they think is good enough) to not be here anymore.
Sure, it can be because of delusion, or medication, or simply an over or under inflated sense of self-importance, it doesn't really make any difference to the outcome if someone decides to end themselves, and I can think of much more worthwhile endeavours to expend energy rectifying or preventing.

In my experience, making a big deal about it only serves to glorify the act and perpetuates it's allure to those that may be drawn to that type of behaviour.

It's a waste and a tragedy and all that too, but at the end of the day, to be perfectly blunt, one less person to compete with me and my children.

Rip

http://thumbnails111.imagebam.com/34...e344796019.jpg

Bro.

People have posted their thoughts but to suggest they have agonised over it is a huge leap.
Actually it does make a difference to the outcome considering many people try but "fail" to suicide. Knowledge about these things gained through thoughtful and non-judgemental discussion, is power and makes a difference.

No one has made a big deal of the act until people posted thoughtless comments.

The complete and utter lack of sincerity in the beginning of your last sentence is amazing. There are over 7 billion people competing with you and your kids. 1 person is not going to make a measurable difference to your chances at all with regards to obtaining oxygen from the atmosphere.

Remember the laughter that's what he really did for us.

Yep.