Child Psychology

» redback - A life worth living?

A bit of a worry given the qualifications you use of "indicates" and "risk". Depression IS a risk factor by itself as are the other mood disorders and certain risk-taking or self harm behaviours. They are indicators, not determinants.

Someone says to you "I'm thinking of killing myself but don't tell mum." Mental Health First Aid says you always take that seriously so need to alert someone. How you do that depends on the rapport with the person concerned. MHFA also OKs asking the question directly when judgement calls for it so I agree with that mythbuster.

High risk or low risk is the issue but treat it as a risk before the event proves otherwise. Suicide is not the only risk a depressed person may face so why wait? How you prioritise anticipated risks generally may give you the skills.

Sorry, Laurie...soapbox time. The term 'commit suicide' is known to have stigma potential.

Official suicide figures are close or just the tip of the ice berg? It's hidden from the insurance companies, or when feelings need to be protected or shame felt when not passing the news on, when left to 'open findings' by coroners if accident still possible etc.

What of the euthanasia version? What are the indicators and preferred interventions?

-- posted by redback

» Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - A life worth living?

You've made some good point, thanks! Why does commit suicide have stigma, and what's the correct term?
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I don't know about the euthanasia version of suicide. That's quite different, it involves other people. Assisted suicide?

» redback - A life worth living?

I had in mind your article is "out there" in a form of media.

The current thinking is a person's illness kills them just like any physical ailment. Committing murder and "committing" suicide are in the same ball park in some belief...both 'naughty' things to do.

To the person contemplating suicide, they need non-judgemental help and some re-assurance they'll get it. Maybe they'll use the 'commit' term because of its common usage OK...maybe they'll say "I feel like killing myself".

The reporting of suicide and attempted suicide particularly, needs more neutral language.
http://www.mindframe-media.info/suicide/...

One version is 'suicide'. You're talking of the risk of suicide in your article. So there is a risk a person feels so depressed they'll kill themselves or act so recklessly due to depression or drugs or whatever they'll state they couldn't care if they lived or died.

Being "unsuccessful" carries a tone too.

Euthanasia twas interesting to add, eh? It always makes me think of 'Youth in Asia' and I support that. Seriously, it's part of 'suicide'. Like suicide, it can be covered up. Like suicide, the deliberate decision to die may be avoidable for a better outcome? Can be less distressing for all concerned with better strategies of caring.

-- posted by redback

» redback - A life worth living?

Sorry, Laurie. I'm trying to reduce the length of my posts. Maybe tis better to type to a doc...copy and paste.

What's topical in my State at the moment is the incidence of suicide among the police force and risk assessments it's not going away without some active intervention. People play with words. If we all have 'stress' and it's a good thing, then maybe the word is distress.

When we look at drug psychosis or adverse reactions to prescription anti-depressants that lead to death, was it 'depression' that killed them. If we drill down to preventative measures, sometimes cause is not so mysterious.

And methinks the 'suicide' bomber for example has a misnomer.

-- posted by redback

» Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - A life worth living?

Eustress is positive stress; distress negative (though "stress" is commonly used to describe distress).
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Suicide bomber a misnomer because ... it's not suicide? Or not a bomb?
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Depression may not always cause suicide...but like you said, there's many factors that contribute, like reactions, psychosis, and even stuff like their profession or distress in their job.

» redback - A life worth living?

"Suicide bomber a misnomer because ... it's not suicide? Or not a bomb?"

My understanding is their primary purpose is murder and if Muslim, their reward as a martyr. But IMO there's nothing precious about the term 'suicide' that it can't be claimed generically. The term 'death by cop' was discussed on Saturday. This is where a person deliberately aims for a confrontation with police whereby they will be shot and killed. Euthanasia?

-- posted by redback