Posted by JonW on June 25, 2002, at 8:27:20
In reply to Re: Memorial (Re: sar thread...) » JonW, posted by IsoM on June 24, 2002, at 23:47:32
>it. We just want her to be remembered. Having others know something of sar, herself, & not go on about her death, won't give others posting here ideas of escape through suicide - just that this is a caring cyber-community where an individual really does matter to others here & that we don't simply forget about someone.
Hi IsoM,
I can't say that I disagree with you. In fact, you're probably right but I wanted to raise the question so that Dr. Bob doesn't just jump into creating a memorial board without thinking about it first -- well, Dr. Bob's a lazy bum who never does anything anyway, but just in case... ;)
Let me quote another guidline that may apply:
"Empathy for family and friends often leads to a focus on reporting the positive aspects of a suicide completer's life. For example, friends or teachers may be quoted as saying the deceased person "was a great hid" or "had a bright future" while avoiding mentioning the troubles and problems the deceased person had. As a result, statements venerating the deceased person are often reported in the news. However, if the suicide completer's problems are not acknowledged along with these laudatory statements, suicidal behavior may appear attractive to other at-risk persons, especially those who rarely receive positive reinforcement for desireable behaviors."
Let me argue with myself on this one :) This community has a special understanding that suicide is often coupled with troubles and problems and and I don't think anyone here would be eluded by a memorial. However, I think a lot of people here (and a lot of lurkers) are hungry to receive positive reinformce and many are likely at-risk at any given time. Should any of this affect anything... I don't know, I'm mentally ill :-)
Maybe the best idea would be to have a memorial board but include guidelines for posting (not that they would have to be followed).
What do you think?
Jon
p.s. Here are the aspects of news coverage that can promote suicide contagion form the CDC:
* Presenting simplistic explanations for suicide.
* Engaging in repetitive, ongoing, or excessive reporting of suicide in the news.
* Providing sensational coverage of suicide.
* Reporting "how-to" descriptions of suicide.
* Presenting suicide as a tool for accomplishing certain ends.
* Glorifying csuicide or persons who commit suicide.
* Focusing on the suicide completer's positive characteristics.
poster:JonW
thread:5764
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020510/msgs/5782.html