Should we prevent suicide attempts?

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

When another person wants to make a choice that will end his or her ability to make any more choices, I think it's legitimate to intervene.

Examples: Joining a cult, committing suicide, doing drugs on a scale that will destroy cognitive function, go off anti-psychotic medication ... sheesh, looking back at those situations, the only one I haven't been through with a friend or relative is the first.

Anyway, the problem with decision-ending decisions is that the person who goes that route denies himself the chance to wake up later and say, "What a complete barking idiot I've been." That's why it's fair game for friends, family and even strangers to intervene.

A little off topic, but do you apply that logic to seatbelt laws?

[Lemur]

A little off topic, but do you apply that logic to seatbelt laws?

Not for adults. If they want to needlessly put themselves in jeopardy, that's their right. But they should be ticketed for allowing minors to be loose in a vehicle, especially at highway speeds. Likewise, adults who want to ride motorcycles without a helmet should be allowed to do so.

Risky behavior does not equal suicidal behavior.

[Lord Winter]

So the line is drawn at intent, not what actually comes out of the action?

[Major Robert Dump]

Well if you are a cop you stop people from preventing suicide by killing them. Unless the media is present, then you counsel them.

Other than that, adult people should be allowed to kill themselves if they want, regardless of whether or not they can prove they have a fatal illness. In fact, they pretty much can. It's easy, I could do it right now if I want. Unless I had a fatal illness I guess and was stuck in bed, then I'd need someone to do it for me.

I seem to miss what part of dying with dignity entails being eaten alive by cancer as opposed to putting a round in your heart or sucking on a tail pipe.....oh wait, I remember now, legal suicide would hurt the industrial medical machine because they couldn't siphon away families savings for treatments that only prolong suffering.

[Andres]

Yes, we should prevent suicide attempts.

But then again, there's euthanasia, which should be allowed.

Finding the right balance is difficult

[Beefy187]

Yes but as long as you are certain that no one is going to be traumatised about it.

If its a clean suicide, supervised by doctars and are old enough to declare that you've had enough fun in your life then who are we to stop them?

If its a suicide for the sake of proving something.. Even more so. Lots of people do stupid things like stunts.. These are suicide attempts to. But no one is stopping them because we would know that they died chasing their dreams.

Suicide in this context. No. It adds nothing to the society. It takes everything away from them. Not only the family have to clean their mess, but they are so young. There is so much that they can do in the future but they decides to throw everything away. And further hand out grief to those who are left.

I think suiciding is just arrogant and selfish, inconsiderate thing to do.

Although when the pressure is on you and depression hits you, you can't really think like this which I understand. And while its a minority, some of those who attempts or think about suiciding really do live in cruel environment. But even those shouldn't suicide. Instead they should try to find their way out or seek support.

As for those who are complaining about trivial factors like X box. Definitely not. Suicide attempts by those kinds should be prevented at all cost.

[pevergreen]

I've said a lot of stuff so far, but not my position.

Case by case basis. I'd want someone to stop the girl in question from before, but not me.

[Ja'chyra]

I probably wouldn't interfere but I'm of the opinion that you make your choices and get on with life.

If someone decides they don't want to get on with life then who am I to say that they have to? And lets face it, if you really want to kill yourself you will no matter what anyone else says or does.