h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hoo, I respect your opinion myself because everyone has the right to an opinion, and I'm not sure if we're just thinking on different tracks.

To me, I can see what you mean -people *really* want to kill themselves plan a way that works, but people who slit their wrists perhaps are just more desperate. You dont always think, if you're in emotional turmoil. I had to come home and find my boyfriend on the floor after he slit his wrists- I dont think he thought about it, I think he just wanted to get rid of himself and used the first method to hand. To follow in your think no it didnt work because he was rushed to hospital, but it almost did and it was to close for me.

I'm losing myself in what I'm trying to say now, I think there are different states of mind people can be in when they try to kill themselves, I think if Charlie (my boyfriend) tried again now, hed do it properly and I probably wouldnt be able to stop him- which scares me.

right, I give up on my rant.

- Jack

SpAcEcAdEt~~, I am sorry to hear about your boyfriend. My brother did think, and that he did is one of the things most upsetting to me, that he *seemed* to be so cold-blooded about it! (In a car, in a public park, but up under trees where he knew security patrols didn't come, in the middle of the night..)
<< I think there are different states of mind people can be in when they try to kill themselves>>
Absolutely there are. It's crossed my mind once or twice, but never seriously, thank God, and I just don't know of a reliable enough method that isn't too messy, and horrible for people finding the result. Not the one my brother chose - unique in the experience of the police inquest officer... he was lucky (if that's the word) that it worked. I don't think anyone wants to end up like Unity Mitford!

Or Mr. Pendolino. Sorry, that's probably only funny if you work in my industry.

Adelaide- I'm sorry too its a horrible mess to find. Quite frightening when you dont always think these kind of things happen to you and people you know- often its one of those things that happen to someone else.

its nasty to think you might lose someone you care about because they are that unhappy

Yes, SpAcEcAdEt~~ and it's left me for one, with the feeling of not really knowing the person as well as I thought I did. That has left me feeling both sad and angry.

Della wrote: "I just don't know of a reliable enough method [of suicide] that isn't too messy"

If you like I can give you a few. It would be my pleasure. Really. Let me help.

H.

Hoo. Please. Don't.

B

I agree that wasnt necessary Hoo

Please don't jump him, either.

I am finding this thread painful enough reading as it is, without it flaring out into flame wars.

Please, everybody, don't.

B

Fair point B, this stuff just makes me angry

Me too, Hon. Me too. But all of it makes me angry in different ways, not just bits of it.

B

Okay everyone - I think it's probably time for everyone to take a nice deep breath, relax, calm down and go for a bit of a walk to clear their heads.

This is obviously an incredibly sensitive subject - not only for people who have lost loved ones to suicide and for those who have/are contemplating it, but also to everyone else watching, reading and finding it hard to comprehend what could ever make somebody want to kill themselves.

So please, when you're writing about this especially sensitive subject, be even MORE aware than usual about other peoples' feelings. We're keeping a close eye on this thread now, and we won't hesitate to intervene if we feel that things are getting out of hand. Oh, and it would also be appreciated if you could all please avoid giving out advice on methods of suicide - it's not something that the BBC can be seen to have on any of its sites.

Many thanks everyone.



Paully

Thanks Paully I was hoping one of you guys would

B I think everyone gets angry because its difficult to understand. For me sometimes anyway

Hi Paully.

Thanks for the SpAcEcAdEt

B

There has been some discussion here of the whys and where fores of people committing suicide.

An ex of mine tried to top herself a few times unseccesfully each time after the first I was in denial and willing to accept all her assurances about it being an accident.

After the fifth I had got wise to her tactics essentially she wanted me to feel her pain. i understood her pain but refused to bow to her insecurities. Im an outgoing person and caouldnt live my life under her pressure to becoma a wall flower except in circumstances where she gave me the go ahead. If she could have she'd have beat me physically but as it was she had to resort to extreme methopds of exerting emotional blackmail.

I have known two people who have used suicide attempts to punish others or make them feel guilty. Its much like physical abuse as the perpetrator does it to someone they want to control because they are insecure about losing them or not being loved enough.

It is sad for all involved.

There are of course other motives for self slaughter and attempts at it.

So I have a strange respect for those who decide to cash there chips in and just get on with it. Is it selfish?

Its their life, true, but it is other people left with the emotional fallout. Still that's the story of death anyway.

One of the funny things I have heard about suicide (and I thought of a similar response for Della too, Hoo just beat me to the jump, hey come on where here on a site that began with a story about the destruction of the and everyone on it) is that you should think carefully about your suicide note.

If you have some petty greivance you cant settle do it in your note. Neighbours forgot to return the shears, blame them in the note and leave them with the guilt. "Im sorry but the smell of my roomates feet got too much for me" that sort of thing. atleast you'll go with a wry grin on your face.

Even if all hope has gone it's no reason to lose you sense of humour too.

one love

"So I have a strange respect for those who decide to cash there chips in and just get on with it."

As do I. Just to make clear my position, bb - since it may have been obscured by censorship, which is ironic given how this thread started - is that my contempt is reserved for serial suicide "attempters". While I acknowledge that successful suicides do cause great anguish for those left behind, it is at least a final act. I think repeated "attempters" cause much more harm to others, for longer, and do so on some level deliberately.

And on that note, given that there's now been an Officious Warning posted, I believe I shall unsubscribe.

H.

That's a good idea.



B

It's all meant to hurt others, isn't it? I mean, what greater act of aggression is there than to destroy the universe.

It would be lovely if we could all wring out our emotional selves every morning and go out into life without teh fear. It stems from a need for safety; so, so much can feel unsafe. If you can channel it somehow for a common good then you've got a chunk of a more peaceful world and I call that reason enough to stick around. But it's exceptionally hard at times, and I'm sorry to say but this is such a glass house.

Wear a condom, they say their safe