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Suicide Data Reveal New Intervention Spots, Such as Motels and Animal Shelters

scientificamerican.com

1–10 of 115 posts

Re: Suicide Data Reveal New Intervention Spots, Such as Motels and Animal Shelters

#2
Interesting and important. There are probably many more intervention spots when causes of despair are considered.

Other perhaps obvious indicators of risk would be likely be lay offs, prolonged unemployment, significant job or status loss, loss of assets, foreclosure / eviction, divorce, death of spouse and/or family, severe illness or diagnosis, chronic pain, chronic health conditions, isolation, loss of social standing, drug/alcohol abuse, etc.

Re: Suicide Data Reveal New Intervention Spots, Such as Motels and Animal Shelters

#3
> And the information revealed that people in crisis regularly turn their pets over to an animal shelter.

I don't know why I assumed they were visiting the animals at the shelter to try to find comfort when I read the headline. The idea of planning to surrender your beloved pet before committing suicide is heartbreaking.

Re: Suicide Data Reveal New Intervention Spots, Such as Motels and Animal Shelters

#4

> And the information revealed that people in crisis regularly turn their pets over to an animal shelter. I don't know why I assumed they were visiting the animals at the shelter to try to find comfort when I read the headline. The idea of planning to surrender your beloved pet before committing suicide is heartbreaking.

More heartbreaking would be if the pets of these suicide owners die of starvation over a period of terrifying, lonely days. It's more heartwarming, if anything, that a person who wishes to end their suffering still holds empathy and respect for the living.

Re: Suicide Data Reveal New Intervention Spots, Such as Motels and Animal Shelters

#5
This is a great example of why quantitative research isn't always enough, and this sort of "ethnography" of suicide qualitative research is also important. Some times you have to find out what the ground conditions are that generate the data in order to really understand what's going on & generate insights.

Re: Suicide Data Reveal New Intervention Spots, Such as Motels and Animal Shelters

#6

> And the information revealed that people in crisis regularly turn their pets over to an animal shelter. I don't know why I assumed they were visiting the animals at the shelter to try to find comfort when I read the headline. The idea of planning to surrender your beloved pet before committing suicide is heartbreaking.

More heartbreaking would be if the pets of these suicide owners die of starvation over a period of terrifying, lonely days. It's more heartwarming, if anything, that a person who wishes to end their suffering still holds empathy and respect for the living.

It's better than having your furry friend attempt to eat you after you commit suicide - the terrifying part is this is exceedingly common, even among smaller breeds.

Re: Suicide Data Reveal New Intervention Spots, Such as Motels and Animal Shelters

#7
I have a friend that is a death investigator. She's an extraordinary person, kind, humble, and reliable. I try not to pry but what she does tell ranges between truly sad and humorous beyond belief. It's a career that is totally necessary but few can handle.

Re: Suicide Data Reveal New Intervention Spots, Such as Motels and Animal Shelters

#8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

More heartbreaking would be if the pets of these suicide owners die of starvation over a period of terrifying, lonely days. It's more heartwarming, if anything, that a person who wishes to end their suffering still holds empathy and respect for the living.

It's better than having your furry friend attempt to eat you after you commit suicide - the terrifying part is this is exceedingly common, even among smaller breeds.

Why "even among the smaller breeds."

Re: Suicide Data Reveal New Intervention Spots, Such as Motels and Animal Shelters

#9

This is a great example of why quantitative research isn't always enough, and this sort of "ethnography" of suicide qualitative research is also important. Some times you have to find out what the ground conditions are that generate the data in order to really understand what's going on & generate insights.

Indeed. Hard to design a double blinded, randomised, placebo controlled trial for suicide prevention.

Re: Suicide Data Reveal New Intervention Spots, Such as Motels and Animal Shelters

#10

> And the information revealed that people in crisis regularly turn their pets over to an animal shelter. I don't know why I assumed they were visiting the animals at the shelter to try to find comfort when I read the headline. The idea of planning to surrender your beloved pet before committing suicide is heartbreaking.

Shows that there are a lot of good people who commit suicide. Maybe a society would benefit if it went the distance to protect them.
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