Can
anyone rationally choose suicide? Don't we have a self-preservation
instinct? How should we account for cultural variation in types and
rates of suicide?
FRONTLINE's The Suicide Plan. Aired: 11/13/2012 running time: 01:23:41
http://video.pbs.org/video/2304058290/
This directly pertains to our class discussions. Does anyone want to watch it and perhaps summarize for class?
9Feb15. Congress tries to help with suicide prevention for vets
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/02/09/opinion/congress-acts-on-veteran-suicides.html?referrer=
"The legislation addresses an urgent problem, as the V.A. works to make improvements after last year’s scandal. An estimated 22 veterans kill themselves each day on average, according to the latest government data. "
By reading this article, I am blown away by the number of suicides that veterans commit. I knew it was high, but an estimated 22 every day is tragic. These people who put everything on the line to serve our country and to defend our freedom deserve any resources that we are capable of providing them with. I cannot imagine suffering from PTSD and depression like they do, especially since they feel out of place when they return from serving because no one can really understand what they face while they are away. Also, I agree that they need to pass a bill to assist veterans getting back on their feet when they return by providing them with the resources to live in a house and to get jobs and the possibility of going back to school to better their education.
ReplyDeleteIt is unbelievable how devastating veterans lives can be once they return from their service. I can't even imagine the amount of stress that they have to live with each and every day. There needs to be something done that allows things to be a little easier for veterans to allow them to live a little easier. Hopefully the government will be able to come up with something in order to benefit veterans and their lives after they get back to the states.
ReplyDeleteJust today when I was driving on the highway I heard an advertisement regarding this issue. The ad was place on the radio by the VA hospitals and it was encouraging vets to come in and talk about their issues with other vets at the VA Hospitals. This is the First ad that I have heard or seen by the VA hospitals that directly addresses the psychological issues facing so many veterans. It's a little step, but a step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteWhen anyone commits suicide it is a tragic and sad thing to happen, but it is just as tragic if not more when those who have served our country are doing this. Fighting in wars changes people and effects many for the rest of their lives. The more support and help veterans can receive the better off the world will be. I personally believe VA's have many flaws and corks that sometimes make their services not working to their best ability. And so I think it is a great idea to have someone to make "regular independent evaluations of the V.A.’s suicide prevention and mental health programs to ensure the most effective approaches are used in its hospitals and clinics"(NY Times). I think this will be great to have these checkups to make sure the veterans are receiving the best care so suicides can reduce.
ReplyDeleteI read a short story not long ago about a soldier returning from war. He came back a little later than everyone else, so he missed the excitement and the happy greetings. He felt very out of place when he got back. He had PTSD and felt that his life had little meaning and everything was pointless. He became emotionless and struggled to even tell his mother that he loved her. I think that there should be aide for those returning from war, or counseling available. This may help with their depression and decrease the amount of horrible suicides that are happening.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, and I think that short story really helps correlate with the article at hand. Veterans should be able to get the help they need to live a better life after war.
DeleteThis article was definitely an eye opener for me. I had no idea that suicide rates are so high for veterans. It’s so tragic to think that these people feel so hopeless that they feel that they need to take their lives. I undoubtedly support the bill to improve suicide prevention and mental health treatment programs within the V.A. It is actually a shame that something like this wasn’t passed sooner. I think that movies such as “American Sniper” are definitely creating increased awareness of PTSD and other issues that veterans suffer. With time, I am hopeful that terrible occurrences involving veterans such as suicide will decrease with improved treatment programs and counseling.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I read something like this it makes me sick. There is not one part of me that doesn't support the bill to prevent suicide and to get mental health treatment programs. It's surprising to me that something like this is not already set in stone. I will admit that before this class I was in a sort of bubble and I didn't even think about suicide like this.. I also didn't really know about PTSD until I went to see American Sniper. I watched that movie before I read the article so the article wasn't as surprising as it would have been if I didn't see the movie. I feel so helpless because they have done so much for me.
ReplyDeleteI am honestly not surprised that the suicide rates are this high among war veterans. I cannot even imagine some of the sights they see on a daily basis and how they deal with these things is also boggling to me. Im sure while deported, a sense of comraderie amongst the troops helps to distract them from other horrible things happening. However, when they come home, even with support from family and friends, it is not quite the same and the terrible things they have experienced can overwhelm them. I think this newly passed bill is a great idea to help these men and women know that they are not alone and to help them get through their times of hardship.
ReplyDeleteThis article is shocking to me. The men and women of our military write a blank check to the United States with the payment of their lives as the ultimate price. They do so willingly, for the betterment of our country. It is heartbreaking to hear that so many veterans survive the harshness of combat only to take their own lives on American soil. I am pleased to hear that measures are being taken to combat this trend. Hopefully steps can be taken to reduce the amount of veteran suicides and get them the help they need.
ReplyDelete