The Editor speaks: Suicide
In the USA National Suicide Prevention Week is from 8th Sep to 14th Sep.
Our Government here has not designated such a week or even a day to promote suicide prevention.
In fact this country, using the words from the Press Release we have received and published today from the Alex Panton Foundation (APF) says:
“The Cayman Islands are among the minority of countries that have archaic laws that still criminalizes suicide or attempted suicide. The decriminalization of suicide would align the Cayman Islands with other progressive Commonwealth countries. There are no reported cases of prosecution being sought for those who attempt suicide in the Cayman Islands and this is in line with the view that suicide should be decriminalized. Treatment, rather than prosecution, is the appropriate and recommended response for a person struggling with a mental health crisis. Treating suicide as a crime as opposed to a mental health issue further perpetuates the stigma that currently shrouds mental illness. This perception creates a barrier that stops people seeking appropriate treatment. Furthermore, those who attempt suicide are currently unable to access insurance benefits due to the act being considered a crime, hence preventing treatment and support to address the underlying mental health difficulties and the chance of a better life.”
It does seem incredible that the APF have had to bring this to the attention of the public here and make a submission to the Law Reform Commission to decriminalize suicide.
Even the brain of the most stupid bird on this planet can see that the number one barrier to stop someone committing suicide is the act itself – DEATH. No man made laws come anywhere near to make someone contemplating suicide than death so it is pointless. Furthermore, the rate of attempted and actual suicide is on a rise in the Cayman Islands, particularly amongst our children and young adults.
Each year, on average, almost 5000 people die of suicide in England and Wales. The 1992 Health of the Nation aimed to reduce the suicide rate by 15% by 2000. The 1999 Department of Health National Service Framework sought to cut the suicide risk by a further fifth from this target.1 There has been significant pressure on mental health services to improve risk assessment in order to reduce the suicide rate. This implies that suicide is mainly seen as a medical or psychiatric issue – a mental illness.
See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4222167/
We also have the cases of “physician-assisted suicides” and euthanasia, where people are so ill, or have suffered such catastrophic injuries life is unbearable with the pain, no cure, etc.. to die is a mercy, not only for them but their love ones. These challenge the idea that suicide necessarily arises from a mental illness.
Many doctors have published papers that highlight the difficulties psychiatry encounters when facing suicide. Not all who commit suicide are mentally ill. Mental illness is often not clearly distinguishable from normal distress.
It is also clear that psychiatrists from time to time face cases in which suicide is a rational option.
I urge everyone to support the APF in their endeavors to decriminalize suicide. They have a support group, “Living with Anxiety and Depression” that will take place every Saturday starting 14th September at George Town Town Hall. This peer-led support group aimed at young adults ages 18 – 25 living with anxiety and depression is absolutely free to attend.
