In the wake of the last person who gained publicity because he wanted to end his life, and whom the British media naturally swarmed around like flies, the BBC et al now are promoting a paralysed man called Paul Lamb's bid to have himself put down by the State. I really hope that liberal media types don't volunteer in the evenings for Samaritans.
Suicide is being promoted to the British by the media, in such a way that in 20 years time, Samaritans hotlines will not only be unmanned, but the line will be dead. Oh well, I suppose it will save the NHS Mental Health Services money, all this suicide promotion and its cheaper than real support like counselling. The promotion of suicide is cost effective to an over-burdened State with so many jobless, depressed, sick and vulnerable people. So many people on Disability Living Allowance, my, my, what to do with them all? I mean, if they don't work, or are incapacitated brickies...?
I expect the adverts will read something like:
ReplyDeleteSuicide? In despair? Go ahead and do it, we don't care. In fact, telephone xxx and we'll give you a helping hand.
No doubt we'll soon see signs on the sides of buses saying, "Some of us want to commit suicide, get over it." And maybe they'll be superimposed on boards advertising The Samaritans.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to join the Samaritans 10 - in fact more like 12 - years ago and had to withdraw when they said that if somebody telephoned to say they were about to commit suicide, I couldn't try to talk them out of it because that would be to impose a particular viewpoint: being a Samaritan was about "being there".
ReplyDeleteI have found today's news of the man wishing to be killed particularly poignant as I learnt today that the only daughter of one of my oldest friends has taken her own life. She was a young mum with three children and her family is naturally devastated.
ReplyDeleteYou mention the fear that Samaritan hotlines may one day be non-existant - a horrible thought bringing us ever forwards towards the 'brave new world.'
Look at the money the government will save.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Samaritan volunteer. Samaritans do not talk people out of suicide, offer advice or pass judgement.
ReplyDelete