Is it right to stop someone from committing suicide by any means necessary?

Originally posted by Scribble
Again, I suggest reading Every Cradle is a Grave if you're interested in the research done into the topic of suicide and euthanasia, as well as Why People Die by Suicide, by Thomas Joiner. A lot of what I'm saying here isn't just my 'opinion' (although some certainly is), it's based on prior research done by the authors of various books.

Sarah Perry's book in particular really gets into the meat of the topic and weighs up many scenarios and concepts related to the modern conception of suicide.

For the idea of people turning to hard drugs, I also think drugs should be decriminalised, so if people did turn to them, they'd at least be using clean, medical-grade stuff, and would have support networks to turn to.

I think you'd have to have grief counselling tied in with suicide / euthanasia clinics. If what we're aiming for as a society is quality of life, then that would be essential.

I think generally as a culture we are too afraid of death, just as we venerate life too much. Humans are dead for infinitely longer than they are alive, after all. Death towers over life, and all we can do is come to terms with it in our own ways.

And yeah death is legitimately my greatest fear, so much so that if offered immortality I'd likely say yes to it before the person/being could even finish their sentence.

Yeah no, weed is fine, heroin, cocaine, etc, are all likely to kill you with repeated use after a certain number of years. Cigarettes imo should never have been legal to begin with.

Originally posted by Jmanghan
Even watching them 24/7, forcefully restraining them, even if they try to commit suicide every single day?

I personally don't believe you should ever give up on that person.

I think there is a balance that needs to be struck, I believe that there should be a right to euthanasia in certain circumstances. But that doesn't mean anyone should be able to get it whenever they want and without any hurdles. And still people who are temporarily at a suicide risk might have to be restricted, at least for a while.

Originally posted by Artol
I think there is a balance that needs to be struck, I believe that there should be a right to euthanasia in certain circumstances. But that doesn't mean anyone should be able to get it whenever they want and without any hurdles. And still people who are temporarily at a suicide risk might have to be restricted, at least for a while.

Originally posted by Jmanghan
I'll check out the book when I get the chance.

And yeah death is legitimately my greatest fear, so much so that if offered immortality I'd likely say yes to it before the person/being could even finish their sentence.

Yeah no, weed is fine, heroin, cocaine, etc, are all likely to kill you with repeated use after a certain number of years. Cigarettes imo should never have been legal to begin with.

I'd discuss the drugs issue in more depth, but I suppose we should stick to one topic at a time...

Originally posted by Scribble
Would you say that a physically healthy person in their late 20s who is mentally capable of working should be allowed to receive suicidal euthanasia, if they went through a process that confirmed they were compos mentis?

I do think that the barrier would have to be relatively high, and probably higher for someone who is younger. I wouldn't rule out the possibility completely, but they would probably have to really conclusively prove severe mental anguish, to at least multiple gatekeeping bodies.

Originally posted by Artol
I do think that the barrier would have to be relatively high, and probably higher for someone who is younger. I wouldn't rule out the possibility completely, but they would probably have to really conclusively prove severe mental anguish, to at least multiple gatekeeping bodies.

I personally think they shouldn't be forced to take meds, as that means they'd likely just go and commit suicide in some other, more painful method anyway, thus defeating the point of the service being humane.

Originally posted by Scribble
That seems fair enough. Would this hypothetical person be obliged to try medication before being approved for euthanasia, or would they be allowed to reject that route?

I personally think they shouldn't be forced to take meds, as that means they'd likely just go and commit suicide in some other, more painful method anyway, thus defeating the point of the service being humane.

I'm not an expert on that. I know many SSRIs have the potential side effect of increasing suicide risk, and that is not ideal, but it seems like they are still often used in treatment, I really can't judge it. I guess I would say not trying it at all sounds kinda misguided, if one has tried though and had severe adverse effects that might be different.

It sounds like this is in part personal for you. Have you tried medication, and if so, has it had negative effects on you, if I may ask?

Originally posted by Artol
I'm not an expert on that. I know many SSRIs have the potential side effect of increasing suicide risk, and that is not ideal, but it seems like they are still often used in treatment, I really can't judge it. I guess I would say not trying it at all sounds kinda misguided, if one has tried though and had severe adverse effects that might be different.

It sounds like this is in part personal for you. Have you tried medication, and if so, has it had negative effects on you, if I may ask?

But beyond my own experience, I personally just think that adults should have the universal right to opt out of life safely and legally, without excess bureaucracy. Sanctity of life is mostly an absurdity that we cling to without any evidential cause.

Do you at all times of your life desire to die, or is it an off and on, as it seems to be for many people with depression?

More generally, I guess I see it similar to Durkheim, that suicide rates, especially those so unfathomably high as we see them now, are a symptom of a failure of the system. And I would agree that just restraining people who want to die is not the treating the real issue at hand.

Originally posted by Artol
Do you at all times of your life desire to die, or is it an off and on, as it seems to be for many people with depression?

More generally, I guess I see it similar to Durkheim, that suicide rates, especially those so unfathomably high as we see them now, are a symptom of a failure of the system. And I would agree that just restraining people who want to die is not the treating the real issue at hand.

Tbh you're probably right there. The corporatist model we're seeing at the moment is extremely alienating to a lot of people, plus a large percentage of suicides are those who do so due to financial reasons rather than psychological reasons.

The structure of society as it is disregards a large share of people, and I don't find it surprising that mental health is such an issue these days. There really isn't much to be enthusiastic about, and plenty to despise.

Originally posted by Scribble
The actual desire to commit suicide goes on and off, but my distaste for life in general means that if I was given the opportunity to die painlessly at any time I'd likely say yes without much hesitation. I find life boring, repetitive, painful, annoying and pointless at all times.

Tbh you're probably right there. The corporatist model we're seeing at the moment is extremely alienating to a lot of people, plus a large percentage of suicides are those who do so due to financial reasons rather than psychological reasons.

The structure of society as it is disregards a large share of people, and I don't find it surprising that mental health is such an issue these days. There really isn't much to be enthusiastic about, and plenty to despise.

I'm sorry things are so bad for you.

Originally posted by Jmanghan
I'd give my life if it meant you were able to appreciate yours.

I'm sorry things are so bad for you.

But mine is a very particular form of pessimism that I know isn't shared by many, so I don't resent those who find life enjoyable, either. It's good that people can somehow find hope in this world, although I don't know how or why they do it.