5 ms·
Yup, suicidal attempts are often impulsive, so any barrier (in this case literally) even if it's relatively easy to get around, reduces suicide rates. Here's an
by candybar 3y ago
Yup, suicidal attempts are often impulsive, so any barrier (in this case literally) even if it's relatively easy to get around, reduces suicide rates. Here's another study, this time on firearms:
https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2020/06/handgun-ownership-associated-with-much-higher-suicide-risk.html https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2020/06/handgun-owner...
> The researchers found that people who owned handguns had rates of suicide that were nearly four times higher than people living in the same neighborhood who did not own handguns. The elevated risk was driven by higher rates of suicide by firearm. Handgun owners did not have higher rates of suicide by other methods or higher rates of death generally.
Suicide attempts by firearm are far more likely to complete than most other means, ergo, suicide death rates are higher among those that have firearms.
- philomath_mn 3y agoI think about this a lot with my brother. He took his life in the alleyway behind the gun shop where he just bought the ammo -- I have no idea what his mental state was (estranged from family for many years) but I have to think there was some impulsive decision-making involved.
- I_Am_Nous 3y agoI'm sorry to hear about your brother :( depression can be very much like torture. Some people can last for a long time before they will do/say anything to make it stop, but without help eventually it will wear you down until you don't value your life anymore and the promise of a "quick, painless end" via gunshot is hard to resist when you are too deep. Add in any kind of extra stress like drug addiction or trauma and it very quickly becomes too much.
- I_Am_Nous 3y agoI remember reading about how "sticking your head in an oven" was a legitimate suicide method when using coal gas ovens. When people switched to natural gas/electric, the suicide rate dropped drastically: >The switch from coal gas to natural gas also had one unexpected effect. During the ‘50s and ‘60s, about half of the suicides in Britain were by coal gas. By the ‘70s, when the transition to natural gas was complete, the number of gas suicides had dropped to zero and the overall suicide rate was down a third. Even the suicidal appreciate convenience. If it's too much trouble, as Dorothy Parker said, "You might as well live."[1] 1. https://gizmodo.com/why-have-people-stopped-committing-suicide-with-gas-5959303 https://gizmodo.com/why-have-people-stopped-committing-suici...
- loeg 3y agoE.g., Sylvia Plath.
- qohen 3y agoFor those unfamiliar with Dorothy Parker[0] and/or that punchline, here's the poem, Resumé, that it's from[1]: Resumé By Dorothy Parker Razors pain you; Rivers are damp; Acids stain you; And drugs cause cramp. Guns aren’t lawful; Nooses give; Gas smells awful; You might as well live. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Parker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorothy_Parker [1] https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44835/resume-56d2241505225 https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44835/resume-56d22415...
- johnla 3y agoDark comedic thought: if a prerequisite to suicide is to get your affairs in order and leave behind a clean house, suicide would be very low; ugh, too lazy to clean. I'll just live instead.
- pempem 3y agoDark, comedic, and so true! Imagine some kafkaesque effort of bureaucracy
- chasd00 3y agoTangent: There’s a lot of societal pressure in A house being clean. Remember the line in Goonies from the mom, “boys, I really want the house clean when they tear it down”?
- buildsjets 3y agoI always wanted to die clean and pretty But I'd be too busy on working days So I am relieved that the turbulence wasn't forecasted I couldn't have changed anyways I am relieved that I'd left my room tidy Goodbye
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- NalNezumi 3y agoThis makes me wonder more about the idea of legalizing assisted (pain-free) suicide, with the caveat that the process needs a lengthy evaluation time (background check for no coercion, mental evaluation etc). I wonder if it would have the opposite effect, reducing suicide rate by picking up the people so hopeless they would've just jumped a bridge/bought a gun if the option of peaceful suicide didn't exist.
- heyoni 3y agoIt sounds like any length process would remove the impulsive component and should suffice.
- giantg2 3y agoI think Canada has a popular assisted suicide program. I'm not sure if anyone has done the research to see how it affects suicide rates or methods outside of the program.
- mensetmanusman 3y agoThey tried this in Europe and it resulted in an interesting scenario where the doctor was killing someone who changed their mind and was telling them to stop.
- ikjasdlk2234 3y agoVermont passed a law like this in 2013, designed to help those with incurable diseases choose when to pass. Vermont Public Radio recently did a good podcast on it. https://www.vermontpublic.org/podcast/brave-little-state/2023-01-19/the-complexities-of-medical-aid-in-dying-in-vermont https://www.vermontpublic.org/podcast/brave-little-state/202...