This comment by Dave D’aranjo on the post Why Men Commit Suicide: The Three Warning Signs Most People Miss
Yeah… while I’m positive you mean well, I’d really suggest you refrain from bringing religion into crisis counseling, unless, perhaps, you absolutely know the person relies on their existing religion to get them through tough times. The focus should be on the person’s real-life, down-to-earth circumstances and psychological pain…. to be told “God & the Universe has a plan for you” is simply not true or provable, and begs the question, “why would it be part of God’s plan for me to feel like this?”. I myself have, in the past, turned to others for help in this way – only to be “witnessed” in return. The end result is a feeling of deeper alienation and confusion than before. My suggestion to anyone who finds themselves in a counseling situation is to LISTEN, first and foremost. Stick to what is real & relevant to that person’s life, in order to find concrete – not fictitious – reasons for them to feel worthwhile and beautiful again.
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Food for Thought:
What is the interest of society in preventing suicides and is there ever a point when personal freedom and choice should come into it?
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