A colleague alerted me to your article “Blue Vein of Death” that was published in the August 07 edition of The Ridge.
While I am glad that there are student writers like you who are concerned about individuals who engage in suicide-related acts, I am concerned that some portions of your article might inadvertently work against your best intentions to help such individuals. These portions include:
1) Second Paragraph
Although this may not be your intention, the phrases “overused drama serial plot,” “even in a highly educated and civilised society like Singapore,” “amusingly…”, and “But the ultimate cause of suicide is in fact the people themselves” may be interpreted by some readers to imply that educated and civilized individuals should not have thoughts of suicide, and that individuals who are suicidal should be blamed for their suicide-related acts.
I am worried that, upon reading your article, individuals who are depressed and/or suicidal may feel even more strongly that it is not okay and not normal to feel the way they do, and may as a result feel even worse about themselves, and find it even more difficult to share their thoughts and feelings with others and seek help.
2) Third Paragraph
The sentence “Notice that it is he who could not see a solution” and the analogy/sentence “That probably explains why we thought the Earth was flat until someone intelligent enough pointed out otherwise” may again create the impression that individuals who are suicidal are to be blamed for their feelings and acts of desperation, and that such individuals are stupid for not being able to take perspective and see alternatives. If this is the message that comes through, the result will be greater stigma attached to mental health conditions (such as depression, of which suicidal thoughts and acts feature as symptoms), and prevent those afflicted with mental illness from seeking help.
3) Fourth Paragraph
Grateful if you can let me know where you obtained the information that “most suicide cases occur because the victim feels that even if he is gone from the world, no one would care; ” because this explanation is over-simplistic. There are multiple risk factors for suicide, and usually several causes for an individual’s decision to end his own life. A major risk factor is untreated/undetected mental illness (e.g., depression, schizophrenia). Other risk factors include poor social support system, significant losses that diminish the quality of life (e.g., terminal illness, death of loved ones, chronic pain, serious accident), poor coping skills, and present/past experiences of physical, sexual, emotional abuse.
The fourth paragraph also mentions how “people are not as warm as before” and speaks of the importance of showing appreciation to our loved ones. While I agree with you that it would be good for all of us to express appreciation to our loved ones, such acts by themselves are insufficient to help someone who is severely depressed and who is contemplating suicide.
4) Fifth Paragraph
The sentence “Our parents definitely did not give us a life to be ended with a cold blade against the wrist due to a problem that is ostensibly unsolvable” may be seen as moralizing by individuals who are suicidal, and may serve to make them feel that others do not truly understand their pain, and are only blaming them. Such a sentence may also be perceived as insensitive by such individuals who may come from dysfunctional family backgrounds and/or who may have had parents/family members who suffer from severe mental illness and/or who are suicidal. Family history of suicide and mental illness is another risk factor for suicide.
You also compare pains of labour and pregnancy with the emotional pain that individuals who are suicidal and depressed experience. I am not sure if this is appropriate and am concerned that such comparisons may serve to further isolate students who have suicidal ideation.
5) Finally, a personal email was provided for readers who need a listening ear. I think it critical that professional resources be provided instead for readers who may be contemplating suicide and/or who may be emotionally affected. Such resources would include the Counselling Centre and the University Health Service on campus. The Counselling Centre is located at Alumni House (next to the Tennis Courts/Track and Field), and the Counselling Centre runs Lifeline NUS (6516-7777), which is a 24-hour phone line for students and staff who are suicidal or who would like to consult about an NUS friend/colleague who is suicidal. Our main phone line is 6516-2376 and our email address in counselling@nus.edu.sg. Another important resource on campus is the University Health Service. The mainline is 6516-2390 and the email address is uhwc_health@nus.edu.sg. There is, of course, the National University Hospital, which has 24-hour Emergency Services.
I believe that you wrote the article with the best of intentions to help individuals who are feeling suicidal and depressed, and that editors published this article for the same good reasons. Nevertheless, I am truly concerned that several portions of the article may have an iatrogenic effect and will only serve to increase the stigma associated with having suicidal feelings and/or mental health conditions, and may deter students from seeking help. I can also appreciate that you may have written this article as a creative rather than a research piece. Nevertheless, the topic itself (unlike say a topic on campus food or fashion) requires very sensitive handling, proper research and consultation, and responsible journalism. I sincerely hope that you will consider publishing my response and/or collaborating with me to write another article that can convey understanding and hope to individuals who may be suicidal and/or suffering from an emotional concern, and who are in need of help and connection.
Ann-Marie Lew (Ph.D.) :: Head, Counselling Centre, University Health, Wellness and Counselling Centre :: National University of Singapore :: 20 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Alumni House, Singapore 119080 :: 65-65162523(DID) :: 65-68725618 (Fax) :: annmarielew@nus.edu.sg (E) :: www.nus.edu.sg/uhwc/counselling (W)
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