OT: NYT piece about former U-M psychology professor Philip Brickman
Some of the old-timers here may remember when Brickman, then the 38-year old head of the university's Institute of Social Research, took his own life in 1982 by jumping from the roof of Tower Plaza.
This is an excellent treatment of that episode and his academic research on the topics of happiness and despair, interspersed with the views of his closest colleagues and children.
Happiness Won’t Save You https://nyti.ms/3pXngQt
I know it's not our typical light, holiday fare, but I think you'll find it as thought-provoking as I did.
If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). You can find a list of additional resources at SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources
November 25th, 2020 at 3:18 AM ^
Captivating article. Thanks for sharing.
November 25th, 2020 at 3:39 AM ^
good article for 2020
November 25th, 2020 at 3:59 AM ^
Gee whiz. Multiple photos of rooftops, including the rooftop from which the guy jumped, on an article about suicide, and a "jumping to your own conclusion" pun. I know what the author and photographer were thinking--oh, aren't we clever! oh, aren't we artistic!--but what were the editors thinking?
November 25th, 2020 at 7:49 AM ^
Maybe read the article. You might get something out of it.
November 26th, 2020 at 4:10 AM ^
I read the article. How do you think I found the ill-considered pun?
November 25th, 2020 at 6:07 AM ^
Read the whole article. Thanks
November 25th, 2020 at 7:12 AM ^
Thanks for posting. A fascinating—and sad—read.
November 25th, 2020 at 7:54 AM ^
Well written article. That said, they missed the simplest truth. Who commits suicide....those who have spent the longest amount of time ruminating on their happiness. I come from a family where depression diagnoses is quite prevalent but lived half my adult life in developing countries where suicide is quite rare except among the well off.
Want to cure your depression...get off the couch, burn your self-help books, and join life. Not an elixir...but I have found that physical exhaustion is the only thing that cures mental exhaustion. What is the one thing Brickman never tried on his farm outside Ann Arbor...actually working up a sweat without a thought in his brain for part of the day.
November 25th, 2020 at 11:05 AM ^
Those are nice thoughts but also a little dismissive of those that cannot follow your advice. My depression stems from a medical condition that robs me of the energy to be as physically active as I would like (and watching Michigan Football). I know that I am countering your personal experience with my personal experience (not the best form of argumentation), but I find it important to make that point that there is no panacea for depression and we should find strategies for, and support people in, all situations.
November 25th, 2020 at 11:29 AM ^
”Want to cure your depression...get off the couch, burn your self-help books, and join life.”
I get there is plenty of evidence suggesting exercise is helpful, and I’m glad it’s worked for you, but should we be oversimplifying the solution to a very complex disorder like depression? It comes off as stereotyping the depressed as lazy recluses.
Exercise and “joining life” isn’t a cure. We lose fit people, including athletes, one here at UM just a few months ago, and people who are have active lifestyles, as exemplified in Brickman in the linked article, who had a career that was the envy of many. Where I live, we just lost a locally renown journalist who was incredibly active in her work and helping the out community right up until she took her life. It’s just not that simple.
I understand you qualified your initial claim later in your comment, but, for those people who cannot manage their depression with exercise and active living alone, that oversimplification is not helpful, especially if it leads those who do not suffer from depression come away believing the depressed just need to get off the couch and start living. Such stereotypes add to the already heavy burden these people face.
November 25th, 2020 at 12:31 PM ^
I guess I didn't make my point clear enough. I am not only saying that Brickman did NOT live an active life (spending all day in your study writing your 14th research article that year is not being active), but I am also saying that the time he spent ruminating and worrying about his level of depression is the best path to falling father down the rabbit hole. Brickman was more knowledgable and spent more time on depression than 99% of the human race could ever accomplish.
Obviously I am simplifying. It is not just a matter of replacing your white collar work for planting a garden, but finding a real balance in life is critical. I also value the role of counselors (my sister has one and it has helped her immensely), but their emphasis has to be on simplifying life and enjoying the little things...and recognize when you are just chasing the cheese on the mouse wheel (whether you are Barry Sanders on the Lions or an academic looking for tenure).
November 25th, 2020 at 9:03 AM ^
Thank you for including the link to a valuable resource on a difficult topic, OP. I have known a number of people who have struggled with suicidal thoughts, and I appreciate you bringing the issue to the board and promoting helpful resources. The holidays can be an especially difficult time for depressed and/or suicidal individuals, especially this year.
Also, please don't upvote me for this comment. This is a genuinely thankful comment, not a post for points. Instead, look out for yourselves and your loved ones. That is much more valuable.
November 25th, 2020 at 10:40 AM ^
My first fear was that this was another story about a creepy pedophile or abuser associated with the University.
Thank God it wasn't.