friend on suicide watch

[chorb]

Found out through a mutual friend that our other friend (known him 12 years now) has been in the hospital since last Thursday on suicide watch; thats all that is known at this point, his family isn't forthcoming with information (not that I blame them).

I knew he suffered from depression for a while, but seemed to have relapsed this past week, not sure if something triggered it or just a sudden onset. He is usually such an upbeat guy, always ready to do anything anytime.

Just pretty bummed out at the moment, he is an awesome guy and hate to imagine him so down he'd try to take his own life.

Does suicide watch mean that he actually attempted or is it just a precaution?

 

[Mo0o]

it means he says he'll kill himself or that he's tried.

 

[ChaoZ]

Could be both.

 

[Mo0o]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_watch

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
it means he says he'll kill himself or that he's tried.

 

[CRXican]

means he's an idiot

 

[chorb]

Originally posted by: CRXican
means he's an idiot

care to explain your ignorance?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Um...I would guess it means that they think he will kill himself if left to his own devices.

Call it a hunch.

 

[Barfo]

It means he's in a room with padded walls.

 

[numark]

Originally posted by: Mo0o
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_watch

Well, to be fair, based on experiences visiting people on suicide watches in psychiatric hospitals, I will say that the Wikipedia page is generally a pretty inaccurate portrayal of the process.

Usually suicide watch is ordered when someone is considered in grave danger of harming or killing themselves. Often it means that they either have attempted suicide (which usually requires, at least in New York state, 72 hours hospitalization), or are considered by a doctor to be in danger and therefore determined to be involuntarily committed. It can, of course, be voluntary, but in those cases people are free to leave when they request it (though doctors can request it to be converted to involuntary hospitalization if they successfully show that releasing the person would be dangerous).

As for the padded room idea, I've never seen that used except for extremely violent people. Generally suicide watch just means having your shoelaces and waistband strings taken (often done by just giving you scrubs and socks), and being housed in a two-person hospital room with standard bedroom-style beds, behind a locked-door unit. Often, the showers don't have standard showerheads (since the bar the showerhead's on provides a place to tie a noose). Sometimes people are monitored 24/7 by a personal nurse, other times it's just regular check-ins.

After the initial period, doctors often have to again petition the government to continue the hospitalization. During whatever period the person's there, it usually involves medication management and group therapy sessions. The rules on visitors and items brought into the wards are especially strict. When I visited them before, it was usually limited to 2 people at a time (no matter how large your family is), and everything has to be searched before even entering the unit.

Then once you are ready to be released, they often have a social worker speak with you about plans for outside support, so that you don't end up there. It often involves what medication you'll continue taking, what doctors you'll see, and what services you can consult if you feel suicidal again.

So, in summary, psychiatric hospitals are far from the stereotypical "padded rooms" that even the Wikipedia article shows.

(wow, was that a long post...)

 

[Dari]

He's a responsible adult, right? Let him do as he pleases so long as he doesn't physically hurt others.

 

[Barfo]

Originally posted by: Dari
He's a responsible adult, right? Let him do as he pleases so long as he doesn't physically hurt others.

I doubt he's responsible if he has to be placed under suicide watch.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: Dari
He's a responsible adult, right? Let him do as he pleases so long as he doesn't physically hurt others.

Obviously he's not able to be very responsible for himself if he's threatening to kill himself, but thanks for playing 'mr. butthole' for the evening.

 

[numark]

Originally posted by: Dari
He's a responsible adult, right? Let him do as he pleases so long as he doesn't physically hurt others.

Well, I'd argue that attempting/seriously threatening suicide doesn't often fit into the term "responsible" (though there are many people who would probably disagree with me). That usually indicates a severe mental illness (depression, bipolar disorder, etc.), and the state has an interest in protecting its citizens from death due to treatable mental illness.

(Note that things like euthanasia, where people have painful terminal illnesses and have informed consent, are different in my mind. You can make a responsible choice in that situation. Severe mental illness, on the other hand, often causes people to take actions contradictory to what they'd do if they were successfully treated).

 

[Dari]

Just because you're suicidal doesn't mean you're irresponsible. You may be selfish, but not irresponsible. It's his decision.

EDIT: Suicide is pretty commonplace outside of Western/African culture.

 

[BoomerD]

Can we sign up for the live feed? I wanna watch too.

 

[numark]

Originally posted by: Dari
Just because you're suicidal doesn't mean you're irresponsible. You may be selfish, but not irresponsible. It's his decision.

EDIT: Suicide is pretty commonplace outside of Western/African culture.

As someone who's extensively worked with mentally ill people, some of which have attempted suicide, describing someone as "selfish" is extremely unfair. As mentioned before, in most cases of non-euthanasia related suicide attempts, people have severe mental illnesses that alter their normal judgment. To call them "selfish" implies that they made a conscious, reasoned, well-thought-out decision with perfect mental clarity.

Severe mental illnesses don't work that way. Things seem insurmountable, and it's compounded by the idea that you shouldn't or can't reach out to other people. Suicide seems like the only option, when in fact it's not. Most people, once they receive treatment, see their situations in a different light, and don't see suicide as the appropriate option.

So please, reconsider your idea that suicide is an inherently conscious, "selfish" act. Popular beliefs like that only add to the stigma that mental illness and suicide attempts have in our culture.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: numark

Originally posted by: Dari
Just because you're suicidal doesn't mean you're irresponsible. You may be selfish, but not irresponsible. It's his decision.

EDIT: Suicide is pretty commonplace outside of Western/African culture.

As someone who's extensively worked with mentally ill people, some of which have attempted suicide, describing someone as "selfish" is extremely unfair. As mentioned before, in most cases of non-euthanasia related suicide attempts, people have severe mental illnesses that alter their normal judgment. To call them "selfish" implies that they made a conscious, reasoned, well-thought-out decision with perfect mental clarity.

Severe mental illnesses don't work that way. Things seem insurmountable, and it's compounded by the idea that you shouldn't or can't reach out to other people. Suicide seems like the only option, when in fact it's not. Most people, once they receive treatment, see their situations in a different light, and don't see suicide as the appropriate option.

So please, reconsider your idea that suicide is an inherently conscious, "selfish" act. Popular beliefs like that only add to the stigma that mental illness and suicide attempts have in our culture.

Fair enough. If a person is mentally handicapped, then I guess it's ok to stop them. But if they're fine, let them do as they please. It can solve so many problems at once for the individual.

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: numark

Originally posted by: Dari
Just because you're suicidal doesn't mean you're irresponsible. You may be selfish, but not irresponsible. It's his decision.

EDIT: Suicide is pretty commonplace outside of Western/African culture.

As someone who's extensively worked with mentally ill people, some of which have attempted suicide, describing someone as "selfish" is extremely unfair. As mentioned before, in most cases of non-euthanasia related suicide attempts, people have severe mental illnesses that alter their normal judgment. To call them "selfish" implies that they made a conscious, reasoned, well-thought-out decision with perfect mental clarity.

Severe mental illnesses don't work that way. Things seem insurmountable, and it's compounded by the idea that you shouldn't or can't reach out to other people. Suicide seems like the only option, when in fact it's not. Most people, once they receive treatment, see their situations in a different light, and don't see suicide as the appropriate option.

So please, reconsider your idea that suicide is an inherently conscious, "selfish" act. Popular beliefs like that only add to the stigma that mental illness and suicide attempts have in our culture.

As someone who literally held a knife to his throat 7 years ago (and just barely had the nerve to put it back down), I can vouch for this post. I should also add that the more severe cases are typically the result of a chemical imbalance or other physiological disorder. A lot of people don't like to admit it, but the brain is an organ too. If someone had a heart arrhythmia due to a genetic defect, would you blame them?

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: numark

Originally posted by: Dari
Just because you're suicidal doesn't mean you're irresponsible. You may be selfish, but not irresponsible. It's his decision.

EDIT: Suicide is pretty commonplace outside of Western/African culture.

As someone who's extensively worked with mentally ill people, some of which have attempted suicide, describing someone as "selfish" is extremely unfair. As mentioned before, in most cases of non-euthanasia related suicide attempts, people have severe mental illnesses that alter their normal judgment. To call them "selfish" implies that they made a conscious, reasoned, well-thought-out decision with perfect mental clarity.

Severe mental illnesses don't work that way. Things seem insurmountable, and it's compounded by the idea that you shouldn't or can't reach out to other people. Suicide seems like the only option, when in fact it's not. Most people, once they receive treatment, see their situations in a different light, and don't see suicide as the appropriate option.

So please, reconsider your idea that suicide is an inherently conscious, "selfish" act. Popular beliefs like that only add to the stigma that mental illness and suicide attempts have in our culture.

Fair enough. If a person is mentally handicapped, then I guess it's ok to stop them. But if they're fine, let them do as they please. It can solve so many problems at once for the individual.

Killing oneself solves problems? Lol. No one in their right mind wants to kill themselves IMO. Goes against every basic instinct we have.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: irishScott

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: numark

Originally posted by: Dari
Just because you're suicidal doesn't mean you're irresponsible. You may be selfish, but not irresponsible. It's his decision.

EDIT: Suicide is pretty commonplace outside of Western/African culture.

As someone who's extensively worked with mentally ill people, some of which have attempted suicide, describing someone as "selfish" is extremely unfair. As mentioned before, in most cases of non-euthanasia related suicide attempts, people have severe mental illnesses that alter their normal judgment. To call them "selfish" implies that they made a conscious, reasoned, well-thought-out decision with perfect mental clarity.

Severe mental illnesses don't work that way. Things seem insurmountable, and it's compounded by the idea that you shouldn't or can't reach out to other people. Suicide seems like the only option, when in fact it's not. Most people, once they receive treatment, see their situations in a different light, and don't see suicide as the appropriate option.

So please, reconsider your idea that suicide is an inherently conscious, "selfish" act. Popular beliefs like that only add to the stigma that mental illness and suicide attempts have in our culture.

Fair enough. If a person is mentally handicapped, then I guess it's ok to stop them. But if they're fine, let them do as they please. It can solve so many problems at once for the individual.

Killing oneself solves problems? Lol. No one in their right mind wants to kill themselves IMO. Goes against every basic instinct we have.

It can if you think about the plight your existence is having on your friends and family or if you kill yourself so that others may live.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: Dari
Just because you're suicidal doesn't mean you're irresponsible. You may be selfish, but not irresponsible. It's his decision.

EDIT: Suicide is pretty commonplace outside of Western/African culture.

The first post was pretty clear that he struggled with occassional bouts of depression, but otherwise was an upbeat guy.

 

[Scrodes]

I work/volunteer in a hospital. For what I know, In California, if you 1) express a desire to hurt yourself or 2) Attempt to kill/injure yourself you are involuntary committed to a 72 hour "suicide watch." There are many other conditions that can land you in 72 hour lock up but these two are the most common. Patients can be committed directly to a psych ward by an authority but most often they land themselves in a hospital after "attempting suicide." The hospital usually transfers these patients out to a psych ward fairly quickly, within about 6-12 hours, unless the patient did significant damage in their attempt and needs hospital care.

It's also possible that there are no psych wards in your area, or if there are all the beds are full and your friend cannot be admitted. Although this is pretty unlikely if you live near on in a large metropolitan area.

The fact that your friend has been there almost a week means he seriously injured himself if he attempted suicide and/or he still desires to commit suicide

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: jjsole

Originally posted by: Dari
Just because you're suicidal doesn't mean you're irresponsible. You may be selfish, but not irresponsible. It's his decision.

EDIT: Suicide is pretty commonplace outside of Western/African culture.

The first post was pretty clear that he struggled with occassional bouts of depression, but otherwise was an upbeat guy.

So that means making him a prisoner of his own body? And what happens if this 'watch' fails? Who gets the blame?

 

[irishScott]

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: irishScott

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: numark

Originally posted by: Dari
Just because you're suicidal doesn't mean you're irresponsible. You may be selfish, but not irresponsible. It's his decision.

EDIT: Suicide is pretty commonplace outside of Western/African culture.

As someone who's extensively worked with mentally ill people, some of which have attempted suicide, describing someone as "selfish" is extremely unfair. As mentioned before, in most cases of non-euthanasia related suicide attempts, people have severe mental illnesses that alter their normal judgment. To call them "selfish" implies that they made a conscious, reasoned, well-thought-out decision with perfect mental clarity.

Severe mental illnesses don't work that way. Things seem insurmountable, and it's compounded by the idea that you shouldn't or can't reach out to other people. Suicide seems like the only option, when in fact it's not. Most people, once they receive treatment, see their situations in a different light, and don't see suicide as the appropriate option.

So please, reconsider your idea that suicide is an inherently conscious, "selfish" act. Popular beliefs like that only add to the stigma that mental illness and suicide attempts have in our culture.

Fair enough. If a person is mentally handicapped, then I guess it's ok to stop them. But if they're fine, let them do as they please. It can solve so many problems at once for the individual.

Killing oneself solves problems? Lol. No one in their right mind wants to kill themselves IMO. Goes against every basic instinct we have.

It can if you think about the plight your existence is having on your friends and family or if you kill yourself so that others may live.

There are other ways to remove yourself from their lives if that's really necessary. Even if you really are nothing but a drain on society at large, if you can recognize it, you can do something about it. Killing oneself is the easy way out. I find it ironic that the Bushido code and other such beliefs have such stiff punishments for cowardice, yet when faced with shame they prescribe the most cowardly escape method possible.