bluinohio

February 5th, 2016 at 1:48 PM ^

The problem with that analogy is that either choice results in death. You're basically choosing which way is a less painful way to go. In suicide, you're choosing between life and death. Whether you choose to jump or burn, your loved ones will know you didn't really have much of a choice, that you didn't really want to leave them. With suicide, you are making a decision to choose death knowing you are leaving your loved ones behind to suffer with the thought that you didn't care enough to stay with them.

Joined: 08/24/2015

MGoPoints: 10730

triangle_M

February 5th, 2016 at 9:53 AM ^

Sympathy?  They're dead.  Everyone knows suicide is viewed as selfish and violent act by those who love the killer/victim.  That's why it is an emotional wrecking ball, someone killed the person you loved, and it was the person you love.  Show some sympathy and respect for the loved ones by not sharing your opinion.

Joined: 03/09/2011

MGoPoints: 5648

Everyone Murders

February 5th, 2016 at 10:06 AM ^

You say

Everyone knows suicide is viewed as (a) selfish and violent act by those who love the killer/victim.

Of course there are many who feel that way, and I understand why.  I certainly used to think it was pretty selfish and a cowardly way out of problems.  But I think many of us are evolving past that.  As we learn more about depression and treat it as a mental health issue, I think the "selfish" piece falls away.  And the depiction of the deceased as a "killer" is technically correct, but feeds the demonization of the deceased (even counterbalanced by "/victim").

In other words, it's largely a mental health issue rather than a moral issue.  (Reasonable minds can disagree, I think, on the morality of it all.)  I think many can conclude that it's entirely a mental health issue.

To be clear, I agree with triangle_M's core point, which is that trashing a suicide victim is unnecessary and counterproductive.  And as others have said, if you know someone who is thinking of taking their own life - or if you may be - call a hotline. 

Joined: 12/14/2010

MGoPoints: 65552

clarkiefromcanada

February 5th, 2016 at 10:52 AM ^

I don't know that suicide is inherently viewed as "selfish" or "violent" but rather an act of desperation by an individual who, at that point, is not capable of formulating any other coping option. As you point out, I think correctly, this is what brings the emotional wrecking ball. How many of us ask after someone we know has killed themselves "what could or should I have done?" or "how couldn't I have known?". The difficulty with suicide (secondary to CTE or mental illness is that so often the precursors are hidden and there is, regrettably, a very real stigma against suicide - one powerful enough that too often it prevents people from asking for the help from families, friends, caregivers etc. 

Joined: 11/20/2008

MGoPoints: 49257

triangle_M

February 5th, 2016 at 12:49 PM ^

I have had a few people close to me take their own lives.  The last one was this past Thanksgiving morning - a family friend (let's call her Francine) with young children who was supposed to come over for the holiday dinner.  I woke up to my wife's shrieking - Francine was her best friend.  

My wife and I had lunch with Francine a week before she killed herself. We knew she was down.  We told her that we loved her and that it's always darkest before the dawn.  We even offtered to take the kids so she could go on a vacation.  We called her everyday.  It wasn't enough.  I am not in her inner circle. Those people--my wife, her mother, her two kids, her sister and husband--are irreparably damaged.   So if I sound like I'm still working through this it's because I am.   Francine was loved by everyone. 

 

Joined: 03/09/2011

MGoPoints: 5648

falco_alba15

February 5th, 2016 at 10:39 AM ^

Interesting that your apparent perspective and experience with mental illness is the equivalent of looking through a window from the far side of a room.

For Dave, I pray that he has found peace from whatever he battled and lost to.

For Dave's family, friends, and fans, I pray they will find comfort.

For you, I hope you might learn how to understand the concept of shades of grey.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 02/06/2013

MGoPoints: 776

clarkiefromcanada

February 5th, 2016 at 10:43 AM ^

It's sad you lack any level of basic human empathy.

I hope nothing unfortunate ever happens to you or anyone in your family in your perfect life. 

Otherwise, get off your high horse and have some compassion for an individual suffering either with CTE or Depression. Try educating yourself on suicide causation instead of being a judgmental fool.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs398/en/

Joined: 11/20/2008

MGoPoints: 49257

beedub93

February 5th, 2016 at 9:42 AM ^

He didn't pass away - he ended his own life and left behind a wife and children.

Passing away is like when someone dies from a long and protracted disease, old age, or the like.

He took his own, which is tragic for the loved ones he left behind.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 11/18/2008

MGoPoints: 5782

triangle_M

February 5th, 2016 at 9:47 AM ^

Took my kids to the B&BRR circus last night . . . I know, bullhooks . . . anyway, the BMXers there all had long faces and did not look like they were into the performance.  Undoubtedly due to Mirra's death. Also, I got food poisoning from the chicken strips at PNC Arena.

Joined: 03/09/2011

MGoPoints: 5648

markp

February 5th, 2016 at 10:05 AM ^

Death is a devestating thing. It's terrible that some are driven to bring that upon themselves and indirectly, to their loved ones. Whether due to illness, fear, cowardness, or a combination... I'm not sure it matters.

Joined: 12/24/2013

MGoPoints: 4734

SiKa7x

February 5th, 2016 at 10:20 AM ^

Dave Mirra's Freestyle BMX 2 was one of my favorite games growing up. Neighborhood friends and i would spend hours playing and then go out and try to make ramps of our own just being silly but trying to emulate that stuff. Just crazy hes gone. Way too sad that this is how he is gone.

Joined: 10/04/2012

MGoPoints: 3317

FanNamedOzzy

February 5th, 2016 at 12:01 PM ^

Dave Mirra was "the guy" for BMX. Similar to Tony Hawk for skateboarding, Dave Mirra was a name you had to bring up for guys that transformed his sport. Simply devastating...feel awful for his wife and children. 

Joined: 08/22/2014

MGoPoints: 4190

pdgoblue25

February 5th, 2016 at 12:48 PM ^

I know names like Nyquist, Hoffman, and Bestwick.  I'm not sure where Mirra stands in terms of the all time list of best riders.

All I know is Dave Mirra made me watch the X-games when I was in grade school/high school.

And as a fan of the Jason Ellis show I also know that Mirra seemed like a great guy.

Joined: 03/03/2010

MGoPoints: 18972

ItsGreatToBe

February 5th, 2016 at 1:40 PM ^

I think we can all agree on two things:

--Mental illness is complicated

--Mental illness affects everyone involved, sometimes in devistating ways

The only way to tackle these two issues is to fund vital research on mental illness. This increases our understanding of its complexity and allows for more accurate and meaningful information to be disseminated so everyone involved understands its effects.

In addition to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, I urge you all to visit the U-M Depression Center website. The Center is one-of-a-kind, and is on the forefront of mental health research. There you may find ways to get information and, if so inclined, donate to help the cause.

Joined: 11/10/2009

MGoPoints: 2727

Hotroute06

February 5th, 2016 at 2:18 PM ^

CTE also crossed my mind when I heard about this on TV this morning.  I've always thought bmx,  skaters etc were really the toughest athletes in sports.  So many of these guys break bone after bone,  do the most insane stunts  and keep coming back for more.  When i was younger there used to be dirt jumps right near my house,  kids and teenagers came from all over to ride there.  Matt hoffman and Dave Mirra were some of my heros.  Really tragic.

Joined: 09/24/2011

MGoPoints: 1204