heard a rumor.. someone jump off Contemporary 2 hrs ago

[Eoghann]

I am not advocating to tell everyone to just be strong and deal with their own problems. Emotional development and support is vital for everyone, even middle aged white males who may not always feel comfortable seeking it.

I think what I am trying to say that may not be coming across is this: condemn the action, not the person.

Just as when our children tell a lie, we condemn the action. We love the child. We support the child. We condemn the action.

In your hypothetical, what is the alternative to telling your child that suicide is selfish? Telling them that suicide is acceptable? Telling that that we should empathize with suicide?

Isn't it possible that treating suicide as acceptable, as something we need to treat with understanding, could also be causing unintentional harm?

This really is quite a deep discussion and I don't mean to offend you at all. I know people have different experiences and different ways of thinking. For me personally, I know that I would be (and have been) dissuaded from taking drastic action based on the idea that suicide is selfish. There must be others who that would work for as well. Maybe not all. We are all different.

The fact that you were dissuaded may simply mean you would never have done it anyway, not that what you had been told really made that big a difference. Lying has nothing in common with committing suicide. There's no point of comparison. One is driven by deep emotional and mental instability, the other is usually just an effort to avoid consequences.

I think what you are still not grasping is that the vast majority (I believe the figure is 90%) of people who commit suicide have some form of mental illness. You cannot apply the logic of rational behavior to their thought processes. They are at a point where life is literally painful to them. Where everything feels like an accusation. Their every action failure heaped on failure. They cannot think clearly, their brain spins in endless circles. They can't sleep properly, they're always tired. Everything is an effort, everything is exhausting. You know people are looking at you and judging you and they see what a failure you are, that's why you hide in your room or stay in bed because you can't face it. And it just goes on and on and on.

I have personally been at the point where I would scratch myself because the pain distracts from the thoughts and the physical pain is easier to deal with than the mental pain. And I wasn't depressed enough to consider suicide, so think how bad it must get!

You ask what the alternative is? You focus on the solutions not the problem. You talk to them about depression, about suicide and how people can be driven to extremes. You stress that whatever thoughts they have they can share them and you will listen without judging. You give them someone to share with, without guilt. Because if they can share, you may be able to redirect when redirection is needed. It's not about empathizing with suicide, it's about empathizing with the person and understanding what drove them to that point.

As I said, I think you are well intentioned, but think you are very wrong on this and I would again encourage you to follow that link and learn more about the causes of suicide and the way experts recommend handling the situation.

 

[Slayd]

The fact that you were dissuaded may simply mean you would never have done it anyway, not that what you had been told really made that big a difference. Lying has nothing in common with committing suicide. There's no point of comparison. One is driven by deep emotional and mental instability, the other is usually just an effort to avoid consequences.

I think what you are still not grasping is that the vast majority (I believe the figure is 90%) of people who commit suicide have some form of mental illness. You cannot apply the logic of rational behavior to their thought processes. They are at a point where life is literally painful to them. Where everything feels like an accusation. Their every action failure heaped on failure. They cannot think clearly, their brain spins in endless circles. They can't sleep properly, they're always tired. Everything is an effort, everything is exhausting. You know people are looking at you and judging you and they see what a failure you are, that's why you hide in your room or stay in bed because you can't face it. And it just goes on and on and on.

I have personally been at the point where I would scratch myself because the pain distracts from the thoughts and the physical pain is easier to deal with than the mental pain. And I wasn't depressed enough to consider suicide, so think how bad it must get!

You ask what the alternative is? You focus on the solutions not the problem. You talk to them about depression, about suicide and how people can be driven to extremes. You stress that whatever thoughts they have they can share them and you will listen without judging. You give them someone to share with, without guilt. Because if they can share, you may be able to redirect when redirection is needed. It's not about empathizing with suicide, it's about empathizing with the person and understanding what drove them to that point.

As I said, I think you are well intentioned, but think you are very wrong on this and I would again encourage you to follow that link and learn more about the causes of suicide and the way experts recommend handling the situation.

Simply put, if suicidal people knew you would be sad if they died, they wouldn't be suicidal. The point is they think the world and everyone in it is better without them in it, and they are better off, themselves, dead. There is no self worth to build off of. It's simple to say "Well, just tell them you need them and would miss them", but they have a mental disorder. That won't work any better than telling a schizophrenic that his/her hallucinations aren't real.

 

[CAS239]

Have you ever known anybody who is suicidal or who has committed suicide? Going by your comment I would guess not. Be careful of judging something you do not know anything about and calling people cowards or even selfish. That is quite heartless. When people are at a place where they take their own lives, they are not in their right minds. They do not think rationally nor do they comprehend that by ending their life they are not ending pain, but they are just passing it along to those who loved them, those who found them, those who didn't see the signs and also leaving behind guilt for others. It is tragedy for everybody involved, especially the person who thought there was no other way out.

I simply said it's a coward thing to do to do that with the possibilities that young children/families can see the jump and possibly the body. That would be horrifying to a child. The person knew they were at Disney, knew tons of children are at Disney and the resort, and did it during the middle of the day. That's the issue I would have with it.

The debate on whether suicide is a coward act or not is a different debate that a Disney board doesn't need

 

[k5jm]

Folks, this thread is not a debate about suicide and the mental reasonings. Keep to the topic or, as Ryan stated, the thread will be closed.

 

[T_O]

My heart goes out to the person involved in this incident. Prayers for the family, who will suffer from it the rest of their lives. We can all show our condolences by being respectful and not condemning the departed. Think of how it would hurt YOU if someone said those things about your loved one under the same circumstances.

To give some perspective, one reason for suicide is pain. Physical or emotional, it's so intense and unbearable, you just need to stop it NOW. Fear, panic and desperation are all consuming. The pain blinds you from seeing reality. Thinking of how others might be affected is impossible, because thinking at ALL is impossible. It takes a certain type of mind to succumb like this. Be thankful if you aren't that type, and have pity for those that are.

P.S. If you are often overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, anxiety, or fear, please seek professional counseling. Even if you are not suicidal, professionals can help you cope.

 

[Jfsag123]

As someone who works in the field of mental health, I just want to say that I'm encouraged to see so many people openly talking about the issue of suicide, regardless of where your beliefs may lie. So many desperate people go unnoticed and/or unhelped because of the stigma that is so often placed on even mentioning suicide. Open yourselves up to those types of conversations with the people you care about and bring the word out of the shadows. A common fear is that you may place the idea in someone's head if it's not already there. You won't. At worst, you get dismissed for being off-base. At best, you help save a life.

 

[bbak30]

Terrible.

 

[LaidBackDad]

I simply said it's a coward thing to do to do that with the possibilities that young children/families can see the jump and possibly the body. That would be horrifying to a child. The person knew they were at Disney, knew tons of children are at Disney and the resort, and did it during the middle of the day. That's the issue I would have with it.

The debate on whether suicide is a coward act or not is a different debate that a Disney board doesn't need

It is refreshing anytime people can civilly discuss mental health issues. The quote above illustrates so much of the misunderstanding about the topic. As logical, rational, and healthy people, we may be able to agree with this statement. Our lack of understanding stems simply from our inability to comprehend the nature of mental illness. In the simplest terms, a person who suffers from mental illness looses the ability to think rationally. If a person experiences motion sickness for the first time on a ride in the park and empties their stomach contents, I wouldn't call that a selfish act. It may disgust me, and it could certainly effect others; but, if that person or others around them didn't spot or understand the signs of the motion sickness, I wouldn't blame that person. The analogy is the same in the case of suicide / mental illness only more profound. It is a shame it happened. I have nothing but sympathy for anyone touched by the incident. It is a complex issue and simply trying to define the incident as a selfish act is not a logical or rational description.

 

[carmelhp]

If this didn't happen at a Disney hotel, it likely would never have been reported. I've been told by police friends in the Northeast that they have almost daily jumping incidents. Newspapers try not to publish them because of the risk of encouraging copycats and the pain and embarrassment to families. Unless it is a celebrity or something unusual, suicides are mostly not talked about in the news.

 

[mindylee847]

I had to stop reading this thread because I recently lost my father to suicide at the end of October. I'm approaching five months from when I got the news from my brother who found my dad. The news ripped through my soul and it is a wound that will never heal. It continually gets torn when I read such ignorant comments. I'm literally shaking with anger and pain. So many of your comments are triggering and so disrespectful.

My father was NOT a coward. My father was NOT selfish. He was the most giving man I've ever known. He did everything he possibly could do for his family and friends. Through his depression, he put a smile on his face and never let anyone of us know that he was in such severe pain. Suicide became the only solution that my dad saw. He actually thought it would be the most selfless act as it would relieve us of him as he believed HE was a burden. Not a single one of us ever made him feel this way, but his sickness and this disease destroys any capability to think rationally.

My heart goes out to this person's friends and family and absolutely feels so much pain for any of those who witnessed such a tragic event. Let's take this opportunity to TEACH one another about suicide. For anyone struggling, please call the suicide prevention line at 1 (800) 273-8255. Everyone is worth something. NO ONE WANTS TO END THEIR LIFE. People just want to end the pain.

Thank you to those on this thread that have an understanding and are speaking up. To those of you who don't understand, please do some research and I am so very glad that you have never been touched by suicide. Only those who have dealt with this firsthand or have gone through depression themselves can fully understand.

Depression can effect you anywhere. It isn't just a sadness. It's a disease. Would you tell someone to just stop feeling so ill when they have the flu? No. So please stop pretending people are just doing this for attention and can get over it.

 

[Lucys dad]

Surprisingly high number of qualified mental health professionals on this thread............. My thoughts are with the family of the deceased and I'll leave it there.

 

[Shmily1]

I had to stop reading this thread because I recently lost my father to suicide at the end of October. I'm approaching five months from when I got the news from my brother who found my dad. The news ripped through my soul and it is a wound that will never heal. It continually gets torn when I read such ignorant comments. I'm literally shaking with anger and pain. So many of your comments are triggering and so disrespectful.

My father was NOT a coward. My father was NOT selfish. He was the most giving man I've ever known. He did everything he possibly could do for his family and friends. Through his depression, he put a smile on his face and never let anyone of us know that he was in such severe pain. Suicide became the only solution that my dad saw. He actually thought it would be the most selfless act as it would relieve us of him as he believed HE was a burden. Not a single one of us ever made him feel this way, but his sickness and this disease destroys any capability to think rationally.

My heart goes out to this person's friends and family and absolutely feels so much pain for any of those who witnessed such a tragic event. Let's take this opportunity to TEACH one another about suicide. For anyone struggling, please call the suicide prevention line at 1 (800) 273-8255. Everyone is worth something. NO ONE WANTS TO END THEIR LIFE. People just want to end the pain.

Thank you to those on this thread that have an understanding and are speaking up. To those of you who don't understand, please do some research and I am so very glad that you have never been touched by suicide. Only those who have dealt with this firsthand or have gone through depression themselves can fully understand.

Depression can effect you anywhere. It isn't just a sadness. It's a disease. Would you tell someone to just stop feeling so ill when they have the flu? No. So please stop pretending people are just doing this for attention and can get over it.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I understand it totally. It's the same type situation as Robin Williams. He was always smiling while no one knew his pain.

 

[mindylee847]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I understand it totally. It's the same type situation as Robin Williams. He was always smiling while no one knew his pain.

Thank you.

 

[kyleandconnorsmom]

This thread has taken such a turn that I almost feel that this question is off-topic, but it has been said that this happens more often than we think and I am curious if this is only common at the Contemporary or if it happens at other resorts and places on property.

I find this to be very sad and haunting. Between my husband and I, we have lost 4 family members and one best friend to suicide. So my heart goes out to this person and their family. It's simply something that I never considered happened at Disney, I guess in my own naïveté I just felt like Disney was this happy little bubble. I've known of tragic accidents that have happened there, but had never considered this possibility.

Also, I apologize if this has already been asked and I didn't notice.

 

[Eoghann]

This thread has taken such a turn that I almost feel that this question is off-topic, but it has been said that this happens more often than we think and I am curious if this is only common at the Contemporary or if it happens at other resorts and places on property.

That's an interesting question. The design of the Contemporary may make it a 'better" venue for this type of thing. Lots of the resorts have balconies, but how many of them go up as high?

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

I had to stop reading this thread because I recently lost my father to suicide at the end of October. I'm approaching five months from when I got the news from my brother who found my dad. The news ripped through my soul and it is a wound that will never heal. It continually gets torn when I read such ignorant comments. I'm literally shaking with anger and pain. So many of your comments are triggering and so disrespectful.

My father was NOT a coward. My father was NOT selfish. He was the most giving man I've ever known. He did everything he possibly could do for his family and friends. Through his depression, he put a smile on his face and never let anyone of us know that he was in such severe pain. Suicide became the only solution that my dad saw. He actually thought it would be the most selfless act as it would relieve us of him as he believed HE was a burden. Not a single one of us ever made him feel this way, but his sickness and this disease destroys any capability to think rationally.

My heart goes out to this person's friends and family and absolutely feels so much pain for any of those who witnessed such a tragic event. Let's take this opportunity to TEACH one another about suicide. For anyone struggling, please call the suicide prevention line at 1 (800) 273-8255. Everyone is worth something. NO ONE WANTS TO END THEIR LIFE. People just want to end the pain.

Thank you to those on this thread that have an understanding and are speaking up. To those of you who don't understand, please do some research and I am so very glad that you have never been touched by suicide. Only those who have dealt with this firsthand or have gone through depression themselves can fully understand.

Depression can effect you anywhere. It isn't just a sadness. It's a disease. Would you tell someone to just stop feeling so ill when they have the flu? No. So please stop pretending people are just doing this for attention and can get over it.

I am blessed in that I have not been personally affected by suicide, but I would just like to say that I am so very sorry for your loss, and applaud your bravery for speaking out.

 

[mindylee847]

I am blessed in that I have not been personally affected by suicide, but I would just like to say that I am so very sorry for your loss, and applaud your bravery for speaking out.

Thank you. I've found that I have two choices. I can either avoid my Facebook feed and ignore these threads or I can go in and say my piece if I see something that upsets me. If something is upsetting to me, it's going to be upsetting to someone else who does not yet feel they can speak out. Even though this has basically put me off my entire day and spun me out of control, I needed to do it.

 

[Brittany12]

I have been told that it does happen at different resorts around Disney World. Most of the people charge up their cards and have a dream vacation before killing themselves towards the end of their vacation. I was told this a few years ago by someone who used to work the investigations.

 

[kyleandconnorsmom]

I have been told that it does happen at different resorts around Disney World. Most of the people charge up their cards and have a dream vacation before killing themselves towards the end of their vacation. I was told this a few years ago by someone who used to work the investigations.

Wow. That's so sad.

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

Thank you. I've found that I have two choices. I can either avoid my Facebook feed and ignore these threads or I can go in and say my piece if I see something that upsets me. If something is upsetting to me, it's going to be upsetting to someone else who does not yet feel they can speak out. Even though this has basically put me off my entire day and spun me out of control, I needed to do it.

While I am sorry that it's put you off your entire day, I'm sure that speaking for those who can't speak for themselves, means a great deal to them. I hope that helps a bit. We need more kindness in this world.