Ógra Shinn Féin press Governments for action on Suicide Prevention

by Hugh Wed Jun 07, 2006 16:43

Suicide is a reaction to an existential crisis.

Human beings are social creatures. Happiness is achieved through successful relationships with others - these relationships allow us to achieve material success and develope genuine personal connections with those who become our romantic partners and spouses or those who become our most trusted platonic acquaintances who serve as drinking buddies or confidents or those who we simply work or pursue our hobbies with.
These relationships are not ultimately fulfilling no matter how successful our lives may become.

When someone is alone they cannot avoid reflecting on who they really are, who they really want to be and what they really want from the world.

We know that the world can never be perfected because even if it were possible for all humans minds to be connected our access to universal justice, happiness, peace etc. would never satisfy what each of us seek individually.

Traditionally we took refuge in religion - we could have a relationship with God and the sufferings in this world are His plan - by surrendering to this "reality" the troubles of world had their "place" - they could be surmounted by faith in an absolute - in the next world all would be put right.

But religion has been fatally undermined through modern science - which has shown us that religion is mere superstition - we are merely apes living on a tiny blue speck in a vast indifferent cosmos.

Our lives are ultimately meaningless - we are simply another generation who will give rise to our offspring who will inherit the same crises while we will pass away into oblivion.

You are born, you live and then you die.

What everyone of us should do is simply recognise that every second of our lives is valuable and is an opportunity - some of us are born beautiful, others ugly, some of us live in poverty and others are wealthy through no fault of their own. We each have individual skills and are at the mercy of blind fate - inevitably some of us will be successful and others will not. If you are successful you are less likely to feel suicidal than someone less fortunate.

The only equality that exists is death.

No human power can perfect the world.

We have two choices.

Live or Die.

If nobody knows or cares about you, you will ultimately die alone and you will not recieve justice in the any imagined after life. You will simply be no more. Food for the worms.

Therefore each of us must reconcil himself to reality and take responsibility for what he can change if at all.

Those who commit suicide are those have lost a reason to live.

Those of us who remain alive are those who still see a reason to live.

My reason for staying alive is my knowledge that death is the end.
I fear death and I love life.
Even though life is tough for most of humanity I see the poverty of people through out the world and I marvel at their defiance.

My advice to those who are suicidal - break out of self pity.

Look at the sky see how blue it is.
Marvel at how intricate even the smallest ant and the largest whale are.

Have a wank.

by 100% Wed Jun 07, 2006 20:19

I agree

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice Activist Wed Jun 07, 2006 22:21

Did you have ever think that depression might prevent you having a Wank...as you say. So perhaps a little more thoroough understanding!!!

Well done Ogra Shinn Fein......

Yes target the Minister but I would make a further suggestion.

Today, globally is a bad day for Shares in public companies.....but these large companies and in particular the alcohol (Diageo) and Pharmaceutical companies have a very significant presence in Ireland.....something to do with taxation grants and financial services. All look at pharmacies like Boots and Uniphar. The universities normally tap into these sources but some outside momentum is what is needed.

These are about research and development and this is where our 'Knowledge economy' can emerge from.

Review the Wellcome pharmaceutical company page, the Diageo page, and Glaxo Smithkline Beecham (there are others) and select their 'Social and Ethical' responsibilities page.

There are funds to be found here and ministers given an election is coming up could nicely gain from the social aspect of funds for projects from these companies.

Further comment re. 'Wank'......if you are on anti-depressants, I dont think Viagra is an option .... either

Michelle

by Me again Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:49

Orga Sinn Fein would like to do something about the levels of suicide in West and North Belfast the highest in Europe for several years now, several suicides have been linked to punishment beatings carried out by republicans.

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics Fri Jun 09, 2006 22:39

I don't want to be naive but I thought Republicans had ceased punishment beatings.

I thought the way forward was towards Community Policing ......

that is when the 'Board Meeting caucus in Stormont' reaches a semblance of 'virtual' consanguinity' .

My belief is that a form of Restorative Justice is the most appropriate route forward as Unity of Ireland is the goal and the date is set by Peter Hain. It is this November i.e. 2006.

It is up to the people to look to Sinn Fein as their represenative or the DUP or SDLP etc.

Suicide is an issue that cuts across class and creed......David Ervine openly (my personal view) shows then pain that only those bereaved my suicide show and hold. Others I am sure have suffered so.

Fear, intimidation, victimisation, will always take a toll on people who are more sensitive to life and its insecurities.

A few years ago I attended the Irish Penal Reform Trust meeting in Dublin. I was impressed at the work being done by volunteers at all levels. This cuts across the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and add to these the likes of Amnesty and Liberty in the UK. Likewise when I attend the Dublin Peace Marches, I feel a strength in the presence of people who seek a society based on humanitatian factors.

I bought this book and I must say, its theme makes me think each time I hear of suicide, suicide in prisons, terms in prison, crime.......this is what we need to think about but at a deeper level.

Gandhi says, ' You have to be the change you want to see, in the world'

Therefore, use democracy to say no to punishment beatings. The people who represent you are the people you approach.

Another quote: 'I live as if I am going to die tomorrow, but I am going to learn as if I am going to iive a full life' words may be a little out.

This is the way forward.

Book:

Restorative Justice - Healing the Effects of Crime
Jim Consedine (Revised Edition: Preface by Archbishop Desmond Tutu)

'Retributive justice always asks first, how do we punish this offender?

Restorative Justice asks, how do we restore the wellbeing of the victim, the community and the offender?

Surely, this is true democracy........

All the best

Michelle

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics Fri Jun 09, 2006 22:40

I don't want to be naive but I thought Republicans had ceased punishment beatings.

I thought the way forward was towards Community Policing ......

that is when the 'Board Meeting caucus in Stormont' reaches a semblance of 'virtual' consanguinity' .

My belief is that a form of Restorative Justice is the most appropriate route forward as Unity of Ireland is the goal and the date is set by Peter Hain. It is this November i.e. 2006.

It is up to the people to look to Sinn Fein as their represenative or the DUP or SDLP etc.

Suicide is an issue that cuts across class and creed......David Ervine openly (my personal view) shows then pain that only those bereaved my suicide show and hold. Others I am sure have suffered so.

Fear, intimidation, victimisation, will always take a toll on people who are more sensitive to life and its insecurities.

A few years ago I attended the Irish Penal Reform Trust meeting in Dublin. I was impressed at the work being done by volunteers at all levels. This cuts across the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and add to these the likes of Amnesty and Liberty in the UK. Likewise when I attend the Dublin Peace Marches, I feel a strength in the presence of people who seek a society based on humanitatian factors.

I bought this book and I must say, its theme makes me think each time I hear of suicide, suicide in prisons, terms in prison, crime.......this is what we need to think about but at a deeper level.

Gandhi says, ' You have to be the change you want to see, in the world'

Therefore, use democracy to say no to punishment beatings. The people who represent you are the people you approach.

Another quote: 'I live as if I am going to die tomorrow, but I am going to learn as if I am going to iive a full life' words may be a little out.

This is the way forward.

Book:

Restorative Justice - Healing the Effects of Crime
Jim Consedine (Revised Edition: Preface by Archbishop Desmond Tutu)

'Retributive justice always asks first, how do we punish this offender?

Restorative Justice asks, how do we restore the wellbeing of the victim, the community and the offender?

Surely, this is true democracy........

All the best

Michelle

by Michelle Clarke - Social Justice and Ethics Sat Jun 10, 2006 17:50

Just reading over article now. Apologies for typos and mixing up North and East Belfast

I did review it. However, since a horse riding accident and brain damage at the executive level of the brain, visual, sensory, and hearing......I don't see the errors sometimes.....the mind flows.....at a different pace...

I understand that the last reports carried out by the Policing Board Monitors indicate that there has been a significant reduction in Republican beatings. This is positive. I don't know if the same applies to the other paramilitaries....

One point, that needs to considered is Transparency and Accountability and an effective Separation of Powers. This means that Policing needs to be privy to these objectives......as in all democracies. In the South, just think of the Morris Report; the Barr Tribunal, the issues of Acquired Brain Injury in custody of three young men (Terence Wheelock, Brian Rossiter and a man named Moloney). The adage is that 'Justice must be seen to be done' and by all.

What about the hidden faces that will support the police forces in the north.......Where do these lie within the concept of Restorative Justice and Transparency.

Durkheim (18th century) a famous sociologist wrote about anomie inter alia other subjects. Anomie is a form of boredom or suicide.

This reflects the pulse of the society!!!!

Interesting concept.......Boredom is a word that needs reflection.

Michelle