Its quite understandable why you would think this way. Some may feel it was insensitive of you to say but I have heard far worse and your comment is the least insensitive in my opinion. I think that the reason why people cannot comprehend suicide being an option is either they have never been pushed to such a dark place in their life or they have gone through such depression and came out strong without any help. Such people usually think that suicide is an easy way out or something you can get over with strong will but sometimes, it takes a lot of courage to take a knife or hang a rope and prepare yourself to die by your own hands. It takes a lot of time to come to that decision (in a few cases, not much time) and for people who actually act on that, it's usually because at that moment and at that point, it seems like the best idea in their mind.
The reason why they think so is not because of problems in life nor because of lack of support, rather it's because psychologically they have an issue that needs professional help. Their not mentally ill or anything of that sort, they are just not able to handle the emotions or thoughts in their mind like other people. I have seen that people with depression are usually very deep and thoughtful, they think a lot over and over again unlike other people who just get depressed, talk to friends and get over it. They dwell on that thought constantly and no amount of support from friends or family can help them because their thoughts are something they cannot control which is why the need for medical help arises because these trained doctors know how to help them cope with their thoughts and the fact their getting advice from someone who is trained and knowledgeable about their condition will give the person a bit of security and assurance.
Just posting something, I posted on the other thread:
. I personally believe its not just support and happy thoughts that will help people in such situations. What they truly need is help from a trained professional who can diagnose and assure them that feeling depression is normal and can be easily treated. The problem is the stigma attached with seeking professional help, that going to a psychiatrist means your probably mental and doomed to end up in some strait jacket.
If proper attention and awareness was given in India regarding this, then many students all over the country wouldn't be taking the route of suicide to overcome their issues. People would know how to deal with their depression or suicidal thoughts by getting help.
You can't just laugh suicidal tendencies away or ignore them thinking it's not a serious issue, people who truly have contemplated suicide should seriously go and seek professional advice rather than advice from friends.
I say this because a close cousin of mine has been through similar depressive phase where all she could think of was negative thoughts, all she did was sit numbly or cry. She often phoned friends for advice, hoping their support would make her feel better but how much ever it did, it was only temporary until the next big problem came at her and she was back in her depressive mind set and contemplating suicide. I had suggested her to seek out a doctor's opinion but she was too unsure, she even asked her best friend about getting medical help and the reply of that friend was- "Don't be silly. Are you mentally ill? Don't you know going to psychiatrist means you are crazy. Your just going through a rough phase, forget about it."
This girl has tried to hang herself after that once, thankfully she couldn't manage to do it. Finally, after talking to her mom, she sought out help and has been slowly getting better.
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