MASH ME

Thoughts to ponder. Recently, it occured to me that a bit of confusion surrounds my understanding of what constitutes suicide. The term extends to the 17th century. 1651 is the first evidence of the fossilized meaning. Suicidium it was called. Sui is a term referring to ones self. The cide part is killing. Note it does not say suimort. Mort would be appropriate if you just died. The context of suicide is murder or kill. Those who assist are involved in a crime. State law have penalties if you help one committ suicide. So, if the person helping is convicted of murder (involuntary, manslaughter or whatever) (of sorts) then why is the person committing the act by decision (ideation) not charged with premeditated attempted murder to ones self. It makes ya think.

The only way to win is cheat
And lay it down before I'm beat
And to another give my seat
For that's the only painless feat.

That was a portion of the theme song from Mash. The chorus is quite lovely and includes a little ditty "suicide is painless, it brings on many changes". Well, my experiences are telling me it ain't painless. Statistics show most don't succeed and if they do . . . well, the damage done by the dead is criminal itself. One thing that is strongly communicated above and beyond the act is the pain. There is so much hurt. Many people believe that the suicide is attention seeking behavior and you should not reward it. The alternative is to let them eventually succeed. There should be some measure that would demonstrate that you have done everything possible to help. Just like a murder you could not stop. Suicide happens. It's our responsibility to do whatever we can, but not at the expense of ourselves. Unlike murder, if you become the victim of a suicidal patient, they will feel worse and kill themselves because of the guilt that you died. The one you saved from murder (though you may have died) has a greater propencity to appreciate.