A few days ago I posted a thread on suicide. I was disappointed with most of the replies. I had hoped to open up the discussion, so as to see what others feel. Suicide is a big problem that may not go away. What I'd like to raise here is something that some people seem to forget. Like it or not, we're all in this together. What this means is that we owe it to each other to get along. Moreover, when someone is feeling down or depressed, should we not help them, comfort them?

I almost feel silly in saying this because being there for someone is a normal human response. But how often does this happen, epecially towards a person who's depressed?

Dear Hara

unless there is a medical reason for depression, it come from specifically identifiable sources.

It might be that we bombed out in something which we had longed for.. take the Olympics for example.. that bloke who was banned due to his altercation... I'll bet he feels a bit depressed.

It might be a series of events which all add up to a sense of hopelessness about life and the future... or just one event..like the ending of a relationship..

The bottom line is, that if it is not medical, then the key is as follows in my opinion.

1/ Identify the source.
2/ Develop coping strategies.

Unless we are prepared to do both, then we are prone to become some kind of emotional parasite who just wants to suck up emotional nourishment from others, but not deal with the cause itself.

Please note.. I said if the cause is not 'medical' which includes mental illness.

As some have intimated previously on OLO, "You can find yourself saying/doing things you would believe if told" kind of thing.. so, mental illness aside.. identification and rectification are needed.

If things have come to a point where all options seem futile, one needs to re-evaluate life and our place in it. If you dessssperately wanted to be a rocket scientist but simply don't have the capacity for it.. then remaining depressed about not achieving that goal will solve nothing.

Small steps to recovery can be beneficial. Small positives.. small victories, small ..yes, but they add up to a journey -to a better situation.

People will happily support someone who shows signs of progress, but I think they would weary and tire of someone who shows none, where it is simply because the person now rather self identifies as an emotionally needy person.

Haralambos I wish it was true I wish people did care for one another and that we are one in it together.
Sadly it is only words for some, we come from different life each of us fall over in the street in some country towns and floods of help will come not every town bush or city.
If we all count we will have heard of people we know killing themselves too many for me.
Not once did it show they needed help, in fact the outstanding memory is of a former police man being too friendly as he left work the day he killed himself.
I have no answers but am convinced we are better people if we care for others, just taking the time to listen to lone old people is a start.
We each would do well to read a book about body language, and remember our own when trying to get away from some one in the street it could help save a life or even make a Friend for life.

hi to all the forgotten australians
victims of rapes and abuse in the states run institutions throgh out australia

suicide well its a hard topic because their are a lot of people who attemt it for numerous reasons
but i find it disgraceful that when the police had the pedophiles caught out on the net then they charged some a couple took that way out becuase they knew what would happen to them in gaol or from the public

suicide ranges from many reasons those who have been abused those who feel alone those who just finally give up and of course those who take the easiest way out without having to face court

their are so many things that trigar a person to take their own live

and yes i have felt like siuicide at times in my life but im still fighting and this is what is keeping me alive and that of my faimly

as boaz-david said to me in a post once find their address and deal with it that way well that i won't do as the law is their for that purpose thats if they stop to continue to cover up for those who abused us when we were children and yes boaz-david i don't have to look for them as i have know where they have been for many years now thats why i wait for justice to take its course yet we victims are being let done by that course of justice as proven by the senate inquiries of which the state of new south wales still continue to cover up till this day

also if you ask the juvenille justice or d.o.c.s for records of any of us they are either destroyed or can not be found so the truth says it for itself of the cover up the goverment of new south wales still continue to do till this day they are just waiting for us victims to commit suicide and that won't be happening to me

we are the forgotten australians and will no longer be forgotten

regards huffnpuff

Haralambos

I have suffered from chronic depression since my teens, have attempted to treat my condition with various drugs, alcohol and have reached the point where suicide appeared to be the only way to stop the pain.

However, as I am still sitting here writing this post, clearly I have somehow managed to both survive and in fact go on to thrive.

I did not achieve this alone. I still access counselling when I feel the need. One can't always unburden to one's friends and family all the time, besides an objective point of view from someone who does not have any emotional relationship (therefore biased) is very helpful.

I find meditation also helps to steady the cacophony that still rages through my head at times.

We need to know who we are and understand how we came to be, but there is a point where we need to focus on the here and now and leave the past behind.

Beyond Blue is an organisation that provides assistance and contacts for people who are suffering:

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?

Part of their mission statement is below:

"Principles for action

* Respect for human rights and dignity
* Strong community involvement, understanding and support
* A population health approach
* Recognition of diversity and special needs
* A co-ordinated and collabortive approach
* An evidence-based approach
* Sustainable action"

For those who want to find a way to help others without upsetting the apple cart or help them selves should look at : http://www.apply-eft.tk
and look at the short video (top right on page) and tick the first and second box (in centre of page) If needed go to home page and find the box titled "Start Your EFT Search Here".
There are also professionals in Australia for advice.In case you wonder what my name (eftfnc) stands for, it is: Emotional Freedom Technique Family Network Creation. So...been there, done that.