Posted on Dec 20, 2015
Is it wrong for any of us to interfere with a suicide attempt?
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Hi, I've been struggling with this question for a while. I want to know what the Rallypoint Community thinks and feels about the question posed. Is it wrong for us to interfere with a suicide attempt? What gives us the right?
I personally think that if you chose to end your life, than that is your choice. I also feel that if you are under the age of 50, you haven't lived. You havent experienced all the joys, and that is probably why you are depressed. But depression is caused by many issues, and some say suicide is the actions of not getting any help. We always see various men and women who save the person attempting suicide, at the very last minute possible. They are held as heroes, maybe some wanted to be saved. But some, make future attempts. Some of those people are successful. But what truly gives us the right to decide? Should we?
I have been told that I don't have a soul, this is true to a degree. The military has made me callous but I also do have compassion for my fellow man. I give charitably, I laugh and cry. I have generally become more of a thoughtful human being than the callous and angry person I was after leaving the military. I still can't shake it, If I see someone over the age of 50, attempting suicide; I might just let them go through with it. They have lived longer than I have, they gave it a go; they couldn't take it anymore. This post is going to offend, I know it will. But I honestly want to hear your opinion.
Do we have the right to interfere???
I personally think that if you chose to end your life, than that is your choice. I also feel that if you are under the age of 50, you haven't lived. You havent experienced all the joys, and that is probably why you are depressed. But depression is caused by many issues, and some say suicide is the actions of not getting any help. We always see various men and women who save the person attempting suicide, at the very last minute possible. They are held as heroes, maybe some wanted to be saved. But some, make future attempts. Some of those people are successful. But what truly gives us the right to decide? Should we?
I have been told that I don't have a soul, this is true to a degree. The military has made me callous but I also do have compassion for my fellow man. I give charitably, I laugh and cry. I have generally become more of a thoughtful human being than the callous and angry person I was after leaving the military. I still can't shake it, If I see someone over the age of 50, attempting suicide; I might just let them go through with it. They have lived longer than I have, they gave it a go; they couldn't take it anymore. This post is going to offend, I know it will. But I honestly want to hear your opinion.
Do we have the right to interfere???
Suicide
Morals
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 95
36
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0
I think as human beings we have the duty to "interfere" with a suicide attempt, SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres. Depression can be treated. Things may look bleak today, but what about tomorrow or next week? Suicide doesn't allow for tomorrow or next week. And suicide is, as they say, a cry for help. We should help by talking to the person, putting them in touch with professionals who can help. My humble opinion, anyhow.
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TSgt Ronald Reed
You are right on target, especially your latter comment on helping until professional help becomes available. I suffer from depression and now see a psychiatrist on a regular basis.
The help I get at my Local VA has saved my life. Tell those in attempting suicide that there
is help available. Tsgt Ronald Reed, USAF Retired
The help I get at my Local VA has saved my life. Tell those in attempting suicide that there
is help available. Tsgt Ronald Reed, USAF Retired
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SPC Johnny Velazquez, PhD
Spot on, Chief. We should help, because once they commit this act, it's too late.
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Allowing someone to kill themselves and you know they're planning on doing the deed is akin to me as you committing murder. I could never allow (if I have the means to stop) someone from killing themselves to do it. All killing yourself does is saddle your family with questions that will never be answered, ruin additional lives that were there for you, and can ruin the hopes and dreams of your loved ones that include you. I know personally times can/will get hard, but you have to find that "release" that allows you to buy some time to get help, or recognize you DO need help. Find something to smile about, a dog, a Disney movie, slapping the neighbors cat, working on the car, lifting weights, or just going for a ride to nowhere just to clear your mind and give you a chance to reorganize your thoughts and make something out of nothing. If you desire to "feel" a gunshot, shoot yourself in the thigh. You will NOW KNOW how stupid your thought process really was, and you'll have a dumbass story to tell everyone over a beer. Most importantly, you'll be with us, and we'll be with you.
If ANYONE on RP has the sudden desire to "hurt" or kill themselves and you live in the NORVA area, please get hold of me. I'll damn sure try to talk you out of it, I'll call the cops to help both of us, I'll even come to you. BUT BELIEVE THIS....If I have to come to you because you wanted to hurt yourself, I'm going to kick your a**, practice my combat lifetaker skills(that are out of date but who cares), make sure you heal, kick your a** again, and get you some professional help. I will not stand by and allow a friend of mine to hurt or kill themselves. I'll even bring beer so you can heal up between rounds. But make no mistake about it, my resolve is solid. I will not sit back on this, so one of us are gonna get his a** beat, and it won't be me, but BOTH of us will live to see another day. Both of us will work it out, and you will be laughing at this episode later on in life. I AM my Brother and Sisters keeper.
If ANYONE on RP has the sudden desire to "hurt" or kill themselves and you live in the NORVA area, please get hold of me. I'll damn sure try to talk you out of it, I'll call the cops to help both of us, I'll even come to you. BUT BELIEVE THIS....If I have to come to you because you wanted to hurt yourself, I'm going to kick your a**, practice my combat lifetaker skills(that are out of date but who cares), make sure you heal, kick your a** again, and get you some professional help. I will not stand by and allow a friend of mine to hurt or kill themselves. I'll even bring beer so you can heal up between rounds. But make no mistake about it, my resolve is solid. I will not sit back on this, so one of us are gonna get his a** beat, and it won't be me, but BOTH of us will live to see another day. Both of us will work it out, and you will be laughing at this episode later on in life. I AM my Brother and Sisters keeper.
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SSG Warren Swan
1LT (Join to see) - Never Accept Defeat. We're taught that from day O in BCT. But you have an added responsibility now, you have your personal family, friends, and this dysfunctional, functional family here who you are going to have to watch and be willing to call out when you see they need help. All that mandatory crap we hated hearing you might see at different times, and from PVT to GEN, you're going to have to make the call and ask that person if they're ok. It's happened to me on here and I'm grateful as all hell for it, and be willing to NOT BACK DOWN when they tell you to. If that hastag is your thing here's mine #BEALLTHATYOUCANBE. that was the Army's slogan when I (and most on here) knew when we enlisted. SGT Weingarten meant well and I agree with him in what he said, but this is one of those moments where being flexible might get a message through, and you to remember it. So I'm done running my suck. Do the right thing, and if it's you who needs it, there are TOO DAMN MANY of us on here ready to get you what you need. DUTY FIRST Brother...DUTY FIRST
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PO2 Gerry Tandberg
I completely agree with SSG Warren Swan. We struggle to reduce the suicide rate among our combat warriors and veterans who suffer from varying degrees of Post Traumatic Stress Injuries, and now its been suggested we reconsider our actions? Had not a good friend intervened on my wife behalf 45 years ago when she slit her wrists because she could no longer live with the the memories of being raped, we would NOT have two daughters and a granddaughter who reminds her every day that life is worth living. Had she been successful, the lives of her six siblings, parents, and friends would have dramatically been been altered. The degree of guilt each would have suffered because they didn't, or couldn't, do something to intervene would have altered their lives as well. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Bad things happen to good people, and life is hard. Working through adversity makes us stronger. Don't ever let someone give up on themselves through suidice. Because, if you happen to be in a position to stop them, it's your responsibility to do so.
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SSG Warren Swan
PO2 Gerry Tandberg - I'm sorry she went through that, but I'm happy as hell someone intervened to save her. And you got a great family out of it? So. Much.Win!!!!!
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PO2 Gerry Tandberg
SSG Warren Swan - Thanks Sarg. We've been married 32 years. In the years after her suicide attempt she became solo gospel vocalist and conference speaker to many woman's ministry events. She talks about that day she cut her wrists and how her faith sustained her through other trauma, including the heartbreak of losing our 8 year old daughter. Many people have learned through her testimony that there is hope through adversity.
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SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres Yes it is right. Sometimes we have to save someone from themselves. They've gone to a very dark place from which they cannot see a way out and we have to help them. If you can live with the knowledge that you allowed someone to take their life then that's your choice. I cannot, I would be faced with the guilt of my inaction every day of the rest of my life.
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SN Stacey Werkmeister
I've been told that I am my own worst enemy..by my wife no less. Anyway, I've been treated for depression among other things thru the VA. Now to the question at hand . If they are going to take their own life there's a good chance they're not gonna tell anyone just do it.
They're those who threaten but never do.
What happened to me a while back was a coworker was going thru terrible times and had nearly hanged himself.. By talking to him about about my personal experiences he realized he wasn't alone, this wasn't an overnight thing. But it was enough to get him into therapy and medicated just enough to function normally.
All this is based on my opinion , everyones situation is different. I would try to get help for this person if possible. Intervene first then whatever it took second . Pressuring someone only makes things worse.
They're those who threaten but never do.
What happened to me a while back was a coworker was going thru terrible times and had nearly hanged himself.. By talking to him about about my personal experiences he realized he wasn't alone, this wasn't an overnight thing. But it was enough to get him into therapy and medicated just enough to function normally.
All this is based on my opinion , everyones situation is different. I would try to get help for this person if possible. Intervene first then whatever it took second . Pressuring someone only makes things worse.
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SPC Margaret Higgins
Good for You, Michelle. Good for You, Captain. CPT (Join to see)
I am in complete concurrence with your statements.
-My Best, Margaret
I am in complete concurrence with your statements.
-My Best, Margaret
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