 Night
Falls Fast : Understanding Suicide
by Kay
R. Jamison.
"Suicide is a particularly awful way to
die: the mental suffering leading up to it is usually prolonged,
intense, and unpalliated," writes Kay Redfield Jamison.
"There is no morphine equivalent to ease the acute pain,
and death not uncommonly is violent and grisly." Jamison
has studied manic-depressive illness and suicide both
professionally--and personally. She first planned her own
suicide at 17; she attempted to carry it out at 28. Now
professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, she
explores the complex psychology of suicide, especially in people
younger than 40: why it occurs, why it is one of our most
significant health problems, and how it can be prevented.
Jamison discusses manic-depression, suicide in different
cultures and eras, suicide notes (they "promise more than
they deliver"), methods, preventive treatments, and the
devastating effects on loved ones. She explores what type of
person commits suicide, and why, and when. She illustrates her
points with detailed anecdotes about people who have attempted
or committed suicide, some famous, some ordinary, many of them
young. Not easy reading, either in subject or style, but you'll
understand suicide better and be jolted by the intensity of
depression that drives young people to it. --Joan Price
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The Euthanasia Research and Guidance Organization offers links to Web sites from right-to-die groups in the United States.
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Addresses the causes behind suicidal thoughts and offers suggestions on how to overcome them. Links to sites from suicide prevention organizations are included.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Suicide among children, adolescents, and young adults--United States, 1980-1992. MMWR 1995; 44-289-291.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Programs for the prevention of suicide among adolescents and young adults; and suicide contagion and the reporting of suicide- recommendations from a national workshop. MMWR 1994; 43 (No.RR-6).
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An international, confidential, suicide prevention group. Users can contact the group to talk through e-mail, regular mail and telephone; addresses and numbers provided.
This web site provides information about befriending and how it can help
to prevent suicide. It lists the contact details of hundreds of befriending
centers around the world, where people who are feeling suicidal can talk to
trained volunteers.
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This Canadian group outlines its positions in support of euthanasia, assisted suicide and living wills at this site. The society's newsletter, the results of a recent Gallup poll on assisted suicide and links to related sites are also available.
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Covers the symptoms of depression and what to do for a suicidal friend.
Excerpt:
As a teenager, you know that these school years can be complicated and
demanding. Deep down, you are not quite sure of who you are, what you want
to be, or whether the choices you make from day to day are the best
decisions.
Sometimes the many changes and pressures you are facing threaten to
overwhelm you. So it isn't surprising that from time to time you or one of
your friends feels "down" or discouraged.
But what about those times when a friend's activity and outlook on life
stay "down" for weeks and begin to affect your relationship? If
you know someone like this, your friend might be suffering from depression.
As a friend, you can help.
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This page concentrates on providing Internet resources to consumer-survivors - people who have been within a mental health system.
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Site documents the last year of the life of Noel David Earley, a man stricken by Lou Gehrig's disease who fights for the right to choose how and when he will die.
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Advancing the Art & Science
of Dying Well. This site has been set up for discussion on death. Euthanasia, assisted suicide and living wills are just some of the topics covered.
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Details about Austin Bastable's plans for an assisted suicide, which he published online.
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Provides suicide-prevention and crisis-intervention services for Native American youth, and offers links to related material.
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Offers support and understanding with
info on symptoms, treatment, and resource listings. Features support
options.
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San Pedro Youth Coalition offers
advice to alert people to suicidal tendencies and how to deal with them, and
gives support contacts.
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Focus on the problem in the
homosexual and bisexual communities and the role of HIV, highlighted by
Internet surveys and academic studies.
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Explore the options for school and
community programs designed to identify and help youth, from America's
Continuing Education Network.
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