Was reading the latest The Ridge booklet - October one.
Then there was this article/letter by the head of the counselling centre in respond to the article on Blue Vein of Death found in the August booklet. See online link for the letter.
Was really amused by the original article, because the author left her email (gmail sia...lotsa space) for people who want a listening ear.
And was even more amused because it seems like the author is not trained in counselling, nor have attended any form of counselling courses, nor taken any form of mental health courses.
Of course, do allow me to make a disclaimer that I don't know her, nor do I know of any details of her expertise so to speak. And this conclusion is just based on my impression after reading her article.
Erm. Cuz the whole article sounded like she is blaming the person who has suicidal intent.
In addition to those pointed out by the response letter:
"Notice that it is he who could not see a solution; it does not mean that there are no solutions left to seek."
“overused drama serial plot,”
“even in a highly educated and civilised society like Singapore,”
“But the ultimate cause of suicide is in fact the people themselves”
“Our parents definitely did not give us a life to be ended with a cold blade against the wrist due to a problem that is ostensibly unsolvable”
The response letter also pointed out that the author
"also compare pains of labour and pregnancy with the emotional pain that individuals who are suicidal and depressed experience. I am not sure if this is appropriate and am concerned that such comparisons may serve to further isolate students who have suicidal ideation."
I thought that the following sentences sounds kinda mean:
"Amusingly, people tend to shift the blame to everything else possible but themselves."
"...something as far-fetched as the nature of today's music can be suicide inducers to some people"
"Fewer tragedies would have happened and less tears would have been shed if only mankind could abandon this natural instinct of giving up."
I dun get this one.
"Indeed, people are not as warm as before. Think about it: when was the last time you thanked your parents, your friends, how grateful you are for their presence? It is unrealistic to have a world of perfectly happy and warm people, but it would not hurt to be aware that with a little more compassion, everyone would be happier."
The article ended off with:
"Be it for filial piety or just for the sake of humanity, one should definitely think twice before breaking that blue vein of death."
YUP.
So I sounded like I'm going to start on a AP-spree here, but no la. Just wondering if she just wanted to end of the article in such a "cool" way sia. (Note that the title of the article is Blue Vein of Death".
I mean, HELLO, what's humanity got to do with everything?
Haha. And I agreed too that the article is highly misleading. There are many reasons why people commit suicide. It is not so easily simplified.
As much as I agreed that many a times suicide occurred because there doesn't seems to be any solutions left, people who commit suicide are people who are trying to tell a message. Be it for revenge, or a cry for help, suicidal people basically sit on the painful fence between life or death.
And one tip from either side can very easily push the person over to the other side.
(and i seriously hope this article won't be one that pushes the person over to the side of death. The way it is written. And the way the author offered herself as a listening ear - despite the fact that it is an untrained ear, unsuitable for listening to potential at-risk/crisis situations.)
I cannot say that i have much experience, but the internship at CGH exposes me to lotsa suicidal patients (thanks to my supervisor who was seriously trying to flood me with death/dying patients ON PURPOSE. So ALL suicide cases were referred to me. EVEN THE NEW CASES.)
And many of them ate many many hundreds of pills, only to inform or approach a loved one immediately to tell them they've committed suicide.
And many realised the danger they've put themselves into after surviving the attempt, and unfortunately through such a mean, also gained access to professional help, as well as alerted family members to the sufferings they are going through.
I mean, here I am listening to a super weakened young lady (okay...there was a lot of JC students sia.)..and there was the mother/father/who-knows-who-else, crying outside.
And when talking to the family members, realised that they too are suffering and trying to help.
So we have two sides who are struggling and trying to seek help while helping themselves etc.
So seriously la, I think the author of this article should not be so mean/critical towards those who commit suicide or try to. I assumed that she may be doing so from a family member/friend's point of view.
But I would also like to point out that: It is painful. For both the family and the person involved.
It is something beyond the understanding of us who can never experience what the person is going through. And thus something we cannot lightly brush aside as easily solvable.
And hopefully this post can help to enlighten any readers who happened to share the view of this author.
And for those who have ever have the thoughts of suicide or self-harming, I mean, I was one of them la. (And is potentially one of them. Blame the media. Wahaha.) Do try to seek help sia....Or maybe follow the advice that my supervisor likes to tell the victims. (yes suicidal ppl are victims.)
To vent your frustrations etc, you can do ANYTHING. (yes anything!) EXCEPT:
1) Harm against self.
2) Harm against others.
3) Harm against property/things.
Other than that, you can do anything. (Scream into your pillow or go on a shopping/movie/KTV spree or anything...)