Terminally ill 16-year-old takes his anti-suicide campaign to RTE

pone2012 wrote: »

Yes you read that correct, just because depressed people perceive that they have no choice, that is not the reality of the situation.

What does it matter what the 'reality' is? It's THEIR reality. That's what matters. I don't know how you still don't get this, it's been explained over and over again. If you don't SEE that you have a choice, then you effectively don't have a choice. You're arguing over semantics and it's pointless.

Do you think we should encouraged depressed people that their perceptions are true?

No. But 'hey snap out of it, things aren't that bad! Look at the lovely sunset!' is not useful.

There's a huge difference between perception and reality, thats basics, and more or less the point he made. So before you tell me I cant analyze points perhaps you should take a look at your own analytical skills

I think my analytical skills are just fine, thanks.

I said nothing about looking at mental illness factually, I said you need to look at that kids words factually. If you are basing your interpretation of them on anything else besides the facts then all you have is an opinion nothing else. and we all know everyone has an opinion

Why do we need to look at these kid's words 'factually'? The entire point here is that his words are likely to harm those suffering from depression. They contain elements of victim blaming and guilt tripping that might seem innocuous to the average person, but not to someone who is mentally ill. The exact people the boy is trying to talk to.

You are in no way qualified to state what profession I may or may not enter, and id question your credibility to make such judgements. What experience have you to make such claims? besides being a sufferer which in turn is none?

Your last sentence doesn't even make any sense, but anyway, it's just my opinion.

I had one of my friends who suffers from bipolar disorder watch that last night, and he took no bad from it whatsoever.

But did it help?

You want to talk about understanding?? A dying child goes on tv trying to help a few people as he understands that life is precious, and he's more or less scathed for his efforts. Tell me do you understand that?? doubtful considering your attitude. Again analytical skills play an important role here

Yes, I do understand. Because I'm an intelligent person who can see all the different sides to the argument. If all you took from this entire thread is that the kid is being 'scathed for his efforts', I can't tell you anything except that your comprehension skills are very poor. Almost everyone who disagreed with him being invited to appear on TV has said that his intentions were good and they understand his point of view, but that he should not have been allowed to give this kind of 'advice'. Very few posters have criticised the boy himself.

If cheer up it could be worse is generally what you took from that, then i'd suggest that you re-watch it and take notes, examine those notes and from the facts form a logical opinion. If you are unable to form a logical opinion then we cannot have a logical discussion

Oh dear.

Yes his words could have been better chosen, Im agreeing with you on that, but like you said yourself read between the lines, theres more to it than his words, he's sending a clear message

There are hundreds of people who commit suicide on an impulse, situational depression etc. nobody's situation is the same and there are many who may have took positive from that. If it saved a few lives great, maybe it made parents question their own and ask if they needed help, maybe it encouraged people to go seek help...

Just because you and a few others took bad from it doesn't mean the whole target audience will.

Its a shame you cannot see the good in it, then again if you are a sufferer of depression thats understandable

I see the good intentions behind it. For the billionth time, I think he's misguided. I think there are far more people suffering from depression who would be hurt/offended/damaged by this kind of view than people who it might help. I'd argue that if all it takes to make you feel better is realising that other people are worse off and you should appreciate what you have, then you really aren't all that ill in the first place and probably not in a position to commit suicide. That's just my opinion.