Suicide for the mentally ill?

What is Dignitas?

Headhurts: I see from your profile that you suffer from mental illness. I hope you are not considering suicide.

@janbb Dignitas is a place in Switzerland where they help people to end their life.

@jca Considered yes, many many times. But no, this question is merely a thought on Dignitas.

Struggling with mental illness is very difficult. But life is worth it. Suicide is a sign of untreated mental illness,

@marinelife But how about if someone has been taking pills for years, different pills, and talking to shrinks and nothing works, and every year, life just gets harder. Like you can’t even live with your own mind?

@Headhurts You keep trying different meds. DIfferent doctors if necessary. You keep researching new treatments. You try mind calming processes like yoga and meditation. You do physical exercise.

@marinelife I guess some would say, if only it was that simple.

@Headhurts It is never easy, but it is worth it.There is so much beauty in the world. A cardinal on a branch, the sound of rain pouring down, trees, love, warmth, sunshine.

Personally, knowing first hand what mental illness feels like. I think Dignitas should help the mentally ill. Obviously they would have to get ‘references’ from the GP and proof that it wasn’t just a phase someone was going through.

Unfortunately, I know how you feel. I’ve been locked up twice this year and twice last year. I even attempted suicide while hospitalized. (I don’t recommend that. I ended up strapped to a bed in the seclusion unit)

The reason I have stopped attempts is that suicide affects your family in a very bad way. I don’t want to give my grandchildren an example of a very bad way to solve problems. My psychiatrist emphasized that the close family had a much greater suicide risk because of the example they see.

I keep a rubber band around my wrist and snap it when the feelings get too strong and my wife check for cut marks. So far I’ve lasted a month. The only things that preclude another attempt is thoughts of my grandchildren.

Hang in there, @Ron_C. Your grandchildren’s well being is worth it.

I will agree with anyone here that suicide is, and never should be, the answer to anyone that has had a lifelong severity of deep mental illness. Yes, help is plenty, and is everywhere. Personally, to think there is a place like Dignitas in this world is an evil abomination to humanity (hmm..this gives me an idea for a screenplay thriller, thanks.)

@Mantralantis Why is it an abomination to end the pain of someone who is suffering a painful and debilitating terminal illness?

As for @Headhurts question, I certainly hope they don’t extend the service to the mentally ill. Surely there must be other options to help them.

it is a slippery slope but believe that people who are in great pain – either mentally or physically – should be allowed to end their lives with proper medical certification.

@janbb I agree as well. Especially after seeing how my mother suffered before dying much too young of stage IV cancer. Seflishly, I wanted her to live but her pain was far too great for this world. Anything that alleviates human suffering therefor, a-okay with me.

People who are really suffering and for a long time usually just kill themselves. If a person had the idea to have someone help them die, I would say that person is not ready to die.

@Ron_C Keep thinking of those grand kids. You don’t want to set an example for them as a way to solve problems. So be strong.

Unfortunately, I know that pain of having a family member choose to end their life. In my case it was an adult child, almost three years ago. Life is hell. I have so much guilt, no longer work, barely function,was approved for disability on the first application, and yes I have wanted to take my life to end this hell I live. I am also raising a grandchild that I am very concerned about. He is so much his fathers son. It scares me. Please, please, please, consider your family. They will not be better off without you. Try to continue being strong.
Now, all of that being said, my father just passed. He was 85 and diagnosed with liver cancer. He passed within three weeks of being diagnosed. I am convinced he choose to go quickly and am fine with that. Nothing was going to save his life.

Try to avoid suicide at all costs.

I have bipolar disorder type 1 and was diagnosed over eleven years ago. I have been hospitalized at least 4 times that I can remember off the top of my head for suicide attempts or serious suicidal ideation.

In the eleven years since diagnosis, I have been on countless different combinations of medication. It took a very long time, but I found one that worked.

More importantly, I discovered WRAP, a recovery tool that teaches me to be well, recognize what daily activities contribute to wellness, and what to do when triggers come along. Basically, I learned to help me.

I use medication, meditation, WRAP, exercise, laughter, talk therapy, and simply daily activities to keep me on the road to recovery.

We can recover from mental illness. I am not my diagnosis.

Suicide is SELFISHNESS. It is an obvious example of how one can exercise what I call negative freedom. And being assisted by someone else to do that is still morally wrong. I still say, seek any and all treatment as an alternative for anyone with a severe mental disorder. Anyone here can rationalize this subject/question all you want (and say I’m wrong). You do have a right to say something just as I do, I understand. I may be colorful with my words but I do mean well in what I say. Stay good, as I should.