Coward is a strong word, and while there are better solutions than suicide (at least, I hope so!), I would not consider suicide as an act of cowardice. However, it is hard not to consider those who kill themselves right after killing others a little cowardly.
I don't think if bravery or cowardice should be used to describe such an act. How can people describe something as such if they do not understand how a person can make such a tough decision?
I do not think it is an act of cowardice at all. And I think people who call it that are ignorant to the real, medical problems the come before someone resorts to suicide.
I can understand where, in some cases, suicide is cowardly. But to blanket-statement that all suicide is cowardly is obviously untrue.
We love making extreme, black and white statements, but really - everything is grey and the real question we need to ask is: how are we failing so badly as a community that someone feels his or her only option is suicide?
I don't think it's an act of being a coward. I mean, how much must be wrong if you can kill yourself? I think it would take a lot to actually go through the act for a normal person...but for the people that do it, they see it as the only way out. It's sad and horrible, but I don't think they are cowards.
I have mixed feelings on the subject, I've been there before so I sort of know how it feels and the reason I didn't was because I wouldn't want to hurt people I care about.
I don't see it as cowardly, I see it as selfish maybe -because you're hurting the people that care about you- but it's not cowardly.
So yeah, I understand why someone would do it (having been there myself and my sisters friend killed herself and I've known people that have tried... I've even talked a few of them out of it), depression isn't something that ever goes away completely, it'll always be there. I still feel it sometimes, I wrote this a few weeks ago (it's a sort-of short story, I guess, about how I thought and felt when I was suicidal and how I feel now):
I think for some people its a last resort and its not their fault.
But actually getting calls from someone saying a family member is threatening them to is really awful. I had a family member, who I dont like to talk to so much because if I couldnt find him it would be my fault. Me and my ten year old sister were there.
I also think it depends on the circumstances. And my family member was doing this for revenge.
However there are other people who do have real reasons. They arent cowards.
I actually battled thoughts of suicide and the only thing that kept me alive was knowing that my friends and family would be extremely hurt if I died. If I didn't have them in my life, I probably would have committed suicide. When you get so down that you are contemplating suicide it's really hard to see that anyone could possibly care about you. It's really sad. I hate that anyone would ever have to go through it. Especially people who don't have anyone in their life. If someone commits suicide, they really can't see any other way. It's the only thing they believe will take away the pain.
I live in a small valley with around 2000 residents. We lost two teens to suicide in one year, and it was the most devastating thing to me. The thought that, in one black moment, so much potential was snuffed out. Too often, for teens especially, it isn't so much "no other way out," but rather for reasons like losing a love relationship or not getting into the right school. It saddens and frightens me that they can't see past that "black moment," to the better day just beyond. There is help for people contemplating suicide. They just have to know how to reach for it.
So many of us have been touched by suicide in one way or another. Ellen, I hope your writing extends hope in the world to people who can't see past that blackness.
Suicide is such a complex issue. I salute those of you who were brave enough to admit that you've battled depression and suicidal thoughts. You aren't alone, and I hope you're continuing to get the help and support you need. Thanks to Lorie for volunteering to put together some resources.
Suicide is not an act of cowardice or courage. It is an act of exhausted imagination. You are just too tired, of pain, of despair, to see any other option.
That solely depends on the situation and the person's feelings. To be a coward is one thing but cowardly enough to kill yourself? I think a coward would always try to get away from the bad stuff, not inflict it among self. There got to be a psychological issue behind the matter instead of just being a coward. It's more to deal with pain and severe depression.
I don't see suicide as cowardly. I see it as confusion, desire to change their life at any cost, desperation, and loneliness. People who commit suicide rarely do it in front of others. They do it when they're alone. I suppose its the whole concept of we come into this world alone and we leave it alone.
I agree with The Epic Rat, those who kill themselves after killing others ARE cowards.
I think suicide is a cowardly thing to do, but most who turn to it usually don't think of it that way. But it can be considered cowardly because they are refusing to face life, and killing themselves to escape life's pain. It may not occur to them what their decision affects those around them.
Some call suicide the ultimate act of cowardice. Do you agree? Why or why not? 
I have not read the book yet. Is suicide called cowardice in the book? Are the critic young people or adults or both?
ReplyDeleteI knew people who committed suicide. I know members of families who have lost siblings or children to suicide.
I do not see the dead as cowards. I see them as deeply troubled, depressed people who could not see out their darkness.
If you have any real knowledge or experience with depression, you know that people who kill themselves aren't cowards.
I agree, susan. I think suicide is the ultimate act of pain.
ReplyDeleteCoward is a strong word, and while there are better solutions than suicide (at least, I hope so!), I would not consider suicide as an act of cowardice. However, it is hard not to consider those who kill themselves right after killing others a little cowardly.
ReplyDeleteI don't think if bravery or cowardice should be used to describe such an act. How can people describe something as such if they do not understand how a person can make such a tough decision?
Surrendering takes strength, doesn't it? Sometimes it's cowardly, but other times, it's not worth it to fight.
ReplyDeleteI see suicide as the same way. Why hold on when holding on makes everything worse?
I would call it the ultimate act of despair.
ReplyDeleteI do not think it is an act of cowardice at all. And I think people who call it that are ignorant to the real, medical problems the come before someone resorts to suicide.
ReplyDeleteI can understand where, in some cases, suicide is cowardly. But to blanket-statement that all suicide is cowardly is obviously untrue.
ReplyDeleteWe love making extreme, black and white statements, but really - everything is grey and the real question we need to ask is: how are we failing so badly as a community that someone feels his or her only option is suicide?
I don't think it's an act of being a coward. I mean, how much must be wrong if you can kill yourself? I think it would take a lot to actually go through the act for a normal person...but for the people that do it, they see it as the only way out. It's sad and horrible, but I don't think they are cowards.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
I agree with Erin, that it is despair.
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings on the subject, I've been there before so I sort of know how it feels and the reason I didn't was because I wouldn't want to hurt people I care about.
ReplyDeleteI don't see it as cowardly, I see it as selfish maybe -because you're hurting the people that care about you- but it's not cowardly.
So yeah, I understand why someone would do it (having been there myself and my sisters friend killed herself and I've known people that have tried... I've even talked a few of them out of it), depression isn't something that ever goes away completely, it'll always be there. I still feel it sometimes, I wrote this a few weeks ago (it's a sort-of short story, I guess, about how I thought and felt when I was suicidal and how I feel now):
http://www.fictionpress.com/s/2650211/1/Lost
I think for some people its a last resort and its not their fault.
ReplyDeleteBut actually getting calls from someone saying a family member is threatening them to is really awful. I had a family member, who I dont like to talk to so much because if I couldnt find him it would be my fault. Me and my ten year old sister were there.
I also think it depends on the circumstances. And my family member was doing this for revenge.
However there are other people who do have real reasons. They arent cowards.
I too agree with Erin.
ReplyDeleteI actually battled thoughts of suicide and the only thing that kept me alive was knowing that my friends and family would be extremely hurt if I died. If I didn't have them in my life, I probably would have committed suicide. When you get so down that you are contemplating suicide it's really hard to see that anyone could possibly care about you. It's really sad. I hate that anyone would ever have to go through it. Especially people who don't have anyone in their life. If someone commits suicide, they really can't see any other way. It's the only thing they believe will take away the pain.
ReplyDeleteOh, this is such a heavy question. I'm going to load a thread with helpful websites.
ReplyDeleteWe all agree it's an act of despair. Perfect phrasing, Miss Erin.
Here's to each individual fighting to stay! Thank you! You matter.
I live in a small valley with around 2000 residents. We lost two teens to suicide in one year, and it was the most devastating thing to me. The thought that, in one black moment, so much potential was snuffed out. Too often, for teens especially, it isn't so much "no other way out," but rather for reasons like losing a love relationship or not getting into the right school. It saddens and frightens me that they can't see past that "black moment," to the better day just beyond. There is help for people contemplating suicide. They just have to know how to reach for it.
ReplyDeleteSo many of us have been touched by suicide in one way or another. Ellen, I hope your writing extends hope in the world to people who can't see past that blackness.
ReplyDeleteSuicide is such a complex issue. I salute those of you who were brave enough to admit that you've battled depression and suicidal thoughts. You aren't alone, and I hope you're continuing to get the help and support you need. Thanks to Lorie for volunteering to put together some resources.
ReplyDeleteSuicide is not an act of cowardice or courage. It is an act of exhausted imagination. You are just too tired, of pain, of despair, to see any other option.
ReplyDeleteThat solely depends on the situation and the person's feelings. To be a coward is one thing but cowardly enough to kill yourself? I think a coward would always try to get away from the bad stuff, not inflict it among self. There got to be a psychological issue behind the matter instead of just being a coward. It's more to deal with pain and severe depression.
ReplyDeleteI don't see suicide as cowardly. I see it as confusion, desire to change their life at any cost, desperation, and loneliness. People who commit suicide rarely do it in front of others. They do it when they're alone. I suppose its the whole concept of we come into this world alone and we leave it alone.
ReplyDeleteI agree with The Epic Rat, those who kill themselves after killing others ARE cowards.
I think suicide is a cowardly thing to do, but most who turn to it usually don't think of it that way. But it can be considered cowardly because they are refusing to face life, and killing themselves to escape life's pain. It may not occur to them what their decision affects those around them.
ReplyDeleteI think suicide can be either, cowardly or inevitable, to an extent.
ReplyDeleteThe cowardly aspect. When someone commits suicide over something that can easily be fixed, I consider that cowardice.
The inevitable aspect, when someone commits suicide over depression, bipolar disorders, other mental disorders, serious crisis, etc.
To me there is a difference between the two, but the line is thin.
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