Dec 16, 2020 in Counseling

Suicide as a Desperate Solution or the Only Solution?

Suicide Prevention!

Suicide as a Desperate Solution or the Only Solution?

• Name three groups of people for whom the incidence of suicide and suicide attempts are increasing. Suicide is defined as the third leading cause of death for ages 15 and 24. A variety of risk factors might be present such as poor family relations, interpersonal conflicts, and hormonal changes. In addition. elderly people are at risk factors for suicide. For example, some reasons indicated are losing a spouse, chronic illness, and isolation. Last, another vulnerability group to suicide and risk factors are baby boomers from 45 years old to 54 years old. For example, this population might not be able handle aging well. In addition to prevention and intervention, speculate on any other strategies or ways to address their needs? Suicide prevention is detrimental among persons aged 10-14 years, 15-34 years, 35-44 years, 45-54 years. There are many risk factors to address and strategically help prevent suicide. For instance, a person might have depression, substance use problems, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, or anxiety disorders and recognizing the warning signs can help prevent a person from committing suicide. If a person talks about killing themselves this would be a warning sign to help prevent suicide (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, n.d. 2020). 

• Thomas Szasz argues against suicide intervention and sees it as a violation of a person’s right–specifically, to be committed to a mental hospital against one’s will for suicidal ideation. What other concerns does he have and do you agree or disagree with him? Challening question to answer, Szasz has a point, it’s ultimately their life. Do you think a person should have a choice in living or dying? It’s a disease that can take over a person’s life and make life quite difficult to live with mental illness. In many countries they have physician assisted suicide. For example, it’s legal to assist in suicide, but it’s not legal to take your own life. In addition, a therapist can be held liable for a patient that commits suicide while in therapy. Furthermore, assisted suicide is a crime unless the person is a licensed physician that can assist in suicide legally (Szasz, 2011). 

• What in Rothko’s painting “Untitled” speaks to the state of mind one can inhabit prior to suicide? A person might loose their thoughts of possibilities. For example, they might not be able to open up to infinite world of different possibilities. The painting focuses on different tones and possibilities. Prior to suicide a person might not be able to see all the different tones in life (Rothko, 2015). In other words, they might not be able to see clearly with different perspectives in place. 

• Do not resort to suicide, get the help you need! There are so many theraputic modalities that can truly help you recover. I truly believe a person should try everything to survive a mental illness. 

References

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (n.d.) (2020). Risk Factors and Warning Signs. Retrieved from http://afsp.org/about-suicide/risk-factors-and-warning-signs/.

Mark Rothko 'Untitled Black on Gray', 1969-70, (2015) https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=umI8C1f90DA

Szasz, T. (2011). Suicide prohibition : The shame of medicine. ProQuest Ebook Central https:// ebookcentral.proquest.com

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