I've really been thinking about this lately. Now I don't mean an 80 year old with cancer or anything, though I guess that point can even be argued here if you want. I mean a perfectly (physically) healthy person who just doesn't want to live anymore. Barring all religious objection to suicide, what is the general opinion on this? if someone wants to die because they can't deal with their mental situation should they have the right to die?

***Edit***
as suggested, here's the National Suicide Hotline number...

1-800-SUICIDE
1-800-784-2433

if they have the balls to do it themselves, then by all means they should and do have that right.

It should not involve another person on a healthy individual because of the possible psychological implications of the person that "helped"

I've always seen it as a fundamental human right to decide whether or not one should continue living.

There are, however, instances in which serious mental issues come into play and people can/could be rehabilitated and it's my personal belief that one should do everything he or she can to help a friend/relative/loved one/anyone suicidal out of their difficult situation, but I don't ever feel that I have the right to flat out tell someone what to do about their destiny. About as far as one can go is to stress the reprecussions of suicide with said suicidal person and tell them how deeply it would hurt the suicidal person's family, relatives, community, etc. if he/she were to carry out the suicide.

So, essentially, I feel it's pretty much the duty of people around the suicidal person to help them out of their difficult situation and do whatever is possible to improve the situation for the suicidal person, but when it comes down to it, it's a personal decision.

A man walked into his church service in a hotel outside of Milwaukee on Saturday and started shooting people. He killed seven people and wounded 4 others including a 10 year-old girl before turning the gun on himself.

It would have been OK if he skipped the first part.

thats complete bullshit. it takes balls to live and get through life and deal w/ problems. killing urself is the easy thing to do, it doesnt take balls at all. killing yourself is just running away from your problems, how much balls doesthat take? none.

Hark, a cry for help.

Pretty much everything Scott said.

Different kind of balls.

The balls to live life are obviously are different.

Im talking about if you're going to kill yourself, at least have the fucking balls to do it yourself- hang yourself, shoot yourself in the skull. Dont drag others into with Scientific painless methods or some shit like that.

No one ever commits suicide without dragging others into it. You may think you have the perfect setup for a suicide which won't hurt anyone you love, but I guarantee you -- you'll be wrong.

no, its still bullshit. there is nothing good or ballsy about suicide at all no matter how you spin it. if you're dead you're dead and you dont have to deal w/ the problems anymore, but even if you're alone in ur room and shoot urself in the skull, there's still other people that are gonna be effected by it no matter what. once again, its the easy way out.

I don't think people should be deprived of the right to die, but I think there's always a better way out.

Suicide is basically giving up on life. No matter how bad things got, I can never see myself driven to the point of putting a bullet in my head. There's always that chance that something will turn around and you'll get another chance. But if someone does feel that they've been driven to the brink and that the only way out is through death, then why should others be forcing that person into living?

That being said, I hope that I'm never in a situation where I actually have to make that decision. So far, it's never even crossed my mind.

i concur wholeheartedly with warehouse.....sorry about the rant the other day geg, but it just baffles me when people consider suicide as a means of escaping a life that so many other people on the planet would (pardon the pun) die to have.....

the thing is, i understand thinking about it, i really do. i dont understand acting on it.

everyone has problems, some more then others. i probly fall in the "more than others" category so i just feel like if i can be strong enough to not do it anyone else can too b/c im not better than anyone else.

Suicide is the pussy way out for those who arent man enough to face their problems. I have very little respect for those who attempt (this includes my step-brother).

When you think about life statistically, I can't comprehend how anyone could end it. Aside from life being a wonderful thing (IMO), it's just... the chances of the universe... then the galaxy... and earth being 'formed'... being able to sustain life... life evolving to this point... your ancestors existing.. your parents being born... getting together.. "you" being that paticular sperm that makes it through... there is soooo much more chance of you not exisiting than you existing. And one day you'll be dead anyway.. forever (depending on your belief I guess, but you see my point)
I suppose what I'm trying to say is, you may as well enjoy the ride while it lasts instead of jumping off early. Notwithstanding the terrible pain that would cause your loved ones.

Everyone has the right to die, I just find it to be a generally selfish act. There are exceptions of course. But typically, when someone kills themself, they are leaving behind a lot of loved ones whos lives they are putting a big huge dagger in.

So your telling me some asshole who decides to shove a knife in their temple is just as selfish as some guy that makes his best friend help him????

Well they are both selfish fucking retards. No question about it. If you're healthy and want to end it all- dont be a pussy. Dont puss out. Dont whine to all your friends and family and message boards, etc. Just fucking do it.

If you "say" you want to do it. and then whine about it, or recruit help. or are just trying to get attention, then you are more of a pussy.


Suicides for pussies. But if you're going to do it- fucking do it.

ive only ever really talked to 1 of my good friends about this subject. we both agreed that while we are not afraid of death, its unnatural to kill yourself. so the guy who shoves a knife in his skull has mental health issues and probly needs meds and therapy to fix the problem. the kid who tells his friends to help him probly isnt as unhealthy as he is confused or looking for attention.

Yeah, suicide is an extremely selfish act. It's a great way to solve your problems and completely ignore the problems and feelings of those who love you or depend on you.

One of the first things they teach you in suicide prevention is once you've identified that a person is not killing themselves in a direct attempt to hurt someone ("this'll show my parents"), you have to find their hook. Who will they be hurting? Who will find their body? What will that do to them? Won't it be tough for them to cope?

Once you get someone thinking about how it effects other people, it becomes extremely difficult to kill yourself.

I think it should remain illegal, if for nothing else, it might give a person one more reason not to do it and to seek help. I would consider an exemption for the terminally ill, but the wording of the exemption would have to be extremely tight and I don't know who would find themselves worthy of deciding who has the right to live and who has the right to die.

yeah, people should be given the harshest of punishments for committing suicide... maybe even the death penalty

i doubt someone on the verge of committing suicide really thinks much about the law at that point