Katie Baird did a good job making a somber and depressing subject both relevant and informative. While suicide is something that we don’t often talk about, it is something that has affected the lives of almost every person. I was shocked to hear that 80% of people think of suicide at some point. Katie’s presentation was very useful in identifying warning signs and explaining what to do if you think a friend or family member might be suicidal. However Katie’s presentation is geared towards treating the symptoms of a problem, that unhappy people are turning to suicide. Shouldn’t the question be, why is one of the most powerful societies in the world experiencing one of the highest rates of suicide? Island nations of indigenous people have an almost nonexistent rate of suicide. I won’t even pretend that I have a well thought out solution to that problem. What I really want to discuss and have you good readers of my blog comment on is elderly and terminally ill suicide or assisted suicide ethics. While all people (I hope) agree that the a young person taking their life is a tragedy, can the same be said of the rational decision of an elderly person to end their life before it is dragged out on life support? I can honestly say that if my grandparents said they wanted to die together at a pre-determined time surrounded by family and loved ones I would fully support their decision. If death is an unavoidable end is it really wrong to be able to choose when it happens? Or is there something inherently immoral about suicide regardless or age or situation?
Here are some relevant websites and articles showing both sides:
Great topic TJ! I hope someone responds!
ReplyDelete