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  • I swollowed 30+ pain pills in an attempt to escape my depression... i also slit my wrists... i survived both but later my teacher found the cuts and i got help... little did they know it made it worse... but ive made a promise not to do it again... it changed my life

  • this whole conference is to sell big pharma.

  • I successfully committed suicide, not like these failures.

  • Very inspirational. I am also a suicidal survivor. I want more people to realize that it can affect anyone, anywhere. More people need to talk about it and not be ashamed of being depressed and suicidal. They need to realize more people go through it then just themselves. I want to also spread my story on how, only being 14 years old at the time, I tried to end my life. But God stopped me and I'm here today to show that life is beautiful and not to give up on hope.

  • something subtle?? I could tell this guy was john from the first sentence, his pauses gives it away, the deep breaths its obvious

  • survivors?? don't you mean suicide failures? Dont get me wrong, I think it is great they had the balls to determine their own destiny, they just failed at it.

  • When people would rather kill them selves than deal with this system, that should be a clue that something is definitely wrong. However, I do feel that, for the most part, we're moving in a positive direction for humanity. That could just be because I spend so much time watching TED talks though :-/

  • When he said he was John = Mindfuck

  • If you try to kill yourself, you just get sent to an abusive psych ward where you're treated as if you're sub-human and they act pissed at you for wasting their time by still being alive. Many people who work in psych wards deserve a slow painful death.

  • not to be total asshole here, but has anyone heard (stand-up comedian) Doug Stanhope`s view on sucide? I kindof agree it... just sayin`...

  • @sled1950 Stanhope is the best!! "If the movie sucks halfway.."

  • Hehe, 2:18 look at the guy in the crunch (lowest line), sleeping when everyone else are paing attention :p

  • I tryed what he suggested. Now i lost two of my best friend. They told me that it is none of my business and they don't talk to me anymore. Thanks for nothing Mr. Schramm -.- I learned today that we should respect it if someone wants to leave us.

  • I wish i could get in contact with this 'john'. I have had a past that I've attempted (and yes, i'm in counseling) but I just wish I could talk to somebody who's "been there" that "knows where I'm coming from"

  • it sad that society shuns (fear, embarrassment, look-down, pity, etc..) honest discussions of individual struggles..

  • It's never a good idea to become an hero. 

  • As soon as he said I'm John i got the chills so bad, even my mustache stood up! Extremely inspiring talk John. It takes real spiritual and mental power to overcome such event, keep enjoying life.

  • jd if you see this thank you so much for talking with me you really help me with my paper

  • @theantinatalist i agree with you. but u mentioned suicides are caused by emotional response to something which natural selection has conditioned us. then why aren't we all commiting suicides? many of us have had very bad patches during some point in our life. my apologies for the inappropriate word "loser", but most of us deal with it in some way or the other and overcome it. i was just saying the ones ending up committing suicides are weaker at heart. and yes they do need help.

  • Sometime it seems it's the only exit there is. But tis it true?hen, isn't? Ask yourself, why you want to end your life, and then be honest with your answers. Be honest enough to bring to the surface anything - the ruthless truth. Are you a failure? An unworthy huan being who deserve pity? Bring it up, don’t hide it. Say it out loud ,whatever it is. Don’t fight it- accept it. Be it. Don’t label it, don’t judge. Don’t expect anything-neither pain nor releive. Just investigate it and accept it.

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  • Ppl who try killing themselves are the biggest losers in life. Leaving ur parents ..wife/husband ...kids...friends ...wtf. ....just stupid. I have had suicidal thoughts in the past coz I was a coward. WAS.

  • this is shit.

    people say "get help" when you are hurting and suicidal, yet no one takes you seriously when you do ask for help. i should know... 14 feb 1988 i tried to end my life. unfortunately i survived.

    perhaps next time i will succeed.

  • shiyet

  • Isent it wierd how life can give you many second chances and you still keep on fu**king up about 9 hours ago i had a horrible crash at 120 mph wearing no seatbelt and survived with only a couple of scraps how is this possible?I was trying to end it all

  • I want to die. I've tried to attempt it, but I've failed out of cowardice every time. I'm afraid of more pain.

    That's my story. And somehow I knew that he was John.

  • Anyone knows a suicide help line? As in how to do it right the first time so you don't end up telling yourself this crap for the rest of your life?

  • An honest and inspirational story John, thank you for sharing it. To anyone feeling suicidal, lost and looking for that conversation, start your story at turn2me.org.

  • turn2me.org

    Is a confidential nonjudgmental supportive community. breaking down stigmas in mental health and suicide.

  • talking about depression. yeah.

    i learned to say "fuck you" to a lot of people who wouldn't listen, until inevitably finding those who would listen.

    it's a good lesson. learning to say "fuck you".

  • Yea they call us who lost a loved one to suicide survivors I have no Idea why cuz I didn't survive anything and neither did my family after my little sister hung herself and she didn't survive either so stop saying survivor you assholes you didn't survive shit

  • It does get better.

  • I thought this was going to be a thing to get people who had failed at suicide (IE survivors) to attempt it again, this time successfully. I was disappointed.

  • He lived because he was fucked up on oxy

  • Heh, that's moving but totally useless. Itchy - touchy conversations about suicide don't change much. I mean seriously? That may get you on antidepressants... is that what a solution? What does it even put your life together?

  • @AntiCookieMonster

    If you're dead then there are no more solutions....Antidepressants saved my life. Faith in God, therapy, support groups also helped. Careful judging where you've never been. To survive is a heroic task. Those you seem to look down on may be much stronger than you. Under the same conditions YOU may not survive.

  • @AntiCookieMonster Antidepressants don't put your life together, but they can lift a person out of a rut so they get the right sort of help. That may be "itchy-touchy" conversations. It may be the appropriate professional help and diagnosis (eg. bi-polar disorder). Or it may be simply a question of finding the energy to get back into exercise (or whatever activities work). It all depends on the person.

  • If you suspect someone is thinking of killing themselves be bold and ask them. It feels like a strange thing to ask but for a moments awkwardness you may save a life. Steer them to a suicide hotline. Rally help to them - Alcoholic's Anonomyous, therapy, med's really do help, seek God's help - He's really there. If you have some crass response to this keep it to yourself...lives are at stake here.

  • Killing yourself hurts the people that loves you. Your family, your friends. It's not perfectly ok to them, not in the slightest. America has a horrible welfare system. If someone even just claims to think about suicide in Norway, they are considered having a critical condition that need full treatment, you get all the help you need and more. Everyone have a right to a good life, EVERYONE!

  • People who fail suicide are 37% more likely to succeed the second time? More likely than those who succeeded the first time?

  • Suicide isn't talked about in most forms of media because of the fear that people will attempt it after they learn about it - after say, on the news, they hear that somebody has committed it. And yet even with that logic in place, its somehow acceptable for the news media to report every murder they can fit into their time slot, as if that doesn't inspire more murders. If the news really believes they don't create violence by reporting it, they have a duty to also spread suicide awareness.

  • I appreciate this being brought to light. Last year my mother, sister, and I were in a car accident where a man committed suicide by walking in front of our car at 8:10 at night. I wish someone had given him the help he so desperately needed.

  • BAM! I so knew within the first minute that he was speaking about himself.

    Super proud of myself at the moment.

    Not entirely sure what cue I picked up to make me realize it though. Hmmm.

  • @YawnGod

    I know what you mean - maybe it was something subtle in his body language, but I had this feeling that he was John.

    Something subtle, just like with someone who's on the edge and thinking about ending it. It's not what a person overtly says - it's something below the surface that communicates those messages.

  • I find it strange that most people *apparently* have not considered suicide and it is we who have who are at risk.

    Cos I would 'consider' it all the time but I'm certain I'm not going to do it in the immediate future, like just getting up in the morning makes me want to slash my wrists and I get urges to jump in front of the tram when it pulls up to the station

    I don't worry tho and it's always been normal to me, I always assumed everyone else was the same until I heard words like 'ideation'

  • Love the guy in the audience at 4:07 in the middle... he has this whole "yeah, whatever buddy, I'm just clapping so that people see me clapping..."

  • @kathrynlambkin i feel very compelled to volunteer to one of these TED talks and discuss audio syncing and listening-to-viewers idea's... because i am pretty damn sure i am not the only one that complained about this.. you would think after all those uploads they would have already fixed that by now... >__>

  • try harder the first time

  • I know John's story very well, because I'm John. Wow - didn't see that coming.

  • Schmuck! If you dont have the balls to live, then please go ahead and remove yourself from society. If you cannot see the beauty if life, then stop wasting my precious oxygen you spoiled little twat. Typical american, I feel sory for myself...boohoo. Fucking retard cant even kill himself right.

  • @bakkerrich1979

    Someones mad.

  • @bakkerrich1979 I can definately see you being the one nobody would miss. Listen to yourself, you sound like the biggest prick, I'm surprised you have'nt killed yourself yet.

  • @emello4you You must be an american. I am entitled to my opinion and I said nothing to you so fuck you retard. I love life too much besided, I have such a blast pissing off trolls like you. Mission accomplised.

  • @bakkerrich1979 Congratulations loser

  • i love these talks and idea's but please for the love of god do something about those loud intro's and outro's they are extremely annoying and if they don't change it soon i am going to fucking commit suicide!

  • @gr4ndhustle I've written them feedback on their website to turn the music down. I've requested a response. Fingers crossed!!

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  • Death is the Best part of Life !!!

  • I'm suiciding 24/7. I did talk. It feels great man.

  • I try to talk to my mom about it, but she just gets all mad at me, I try to talk to my friend about it,.she always starts out "not this again" I try to talk to my other friend about it, we talk for a little but then she has to go. I have no where to go.

  • @kristineohkristine  You can message me.

  • @kristineohkristine Talk to ELIZA.

  • Why did my dad have to be that 1/20?

  • @kristineohkristine

    Sorry to hear this, but unfortunately life can be cruel to the most undeserving

  • @Holbrookma i don't really think life is actually being cruel when it gets difficult, it depends of how you see it, cuz at that moment it can be giving you a lesson and you might be letting it go. i'm sure you get in your life what you deserve

  • 2:16 the guy in the first row is sleeping!!! :DDD

  • It gets way better. True.

  • Suicide can be pretty lethal.

  • Been there... came back.

  • 2:02 so 19 out of 20 fail, a success rate of 5%, and are now 37 times more likely to succeed the second time, a 185% success rate?

  • @bsgrep I think he said 37% more likely, which is 6.85%

  • @bsgrep Nope, scratch that, I was wrong, he did say 37 times.

  • shouldn't it be suicide failures or abortees?

  • yes we should all think of those 25 to 36 year old with 6 figure bank accounts and successful lives....im sorry but seriously? ive been there and now my life is considerably harder. shut the fuck up. there are real people with real problems with lives way worse than this wank can imagine. its too hard for me to generate pity for someone with this kind of misery free life. so if youre sick of it by all means try harder and leave your money to a charity to help those who should consider suicide

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  • @MrDucelee i dont even know what to say to you, im not sure how this qualifies as a response to what i said. youve got quotes for something i didnt say,didnt catch where i complained about anything,you didnt really get it. you go to extremes to try very poorly to make a point but this guys talking about graduating from school making at least 100grand and he wants to die? even the most average person would have room to envy that life. he doesnt list some great source of pain in his life

  • @narezul Right, because money buys happiness, no one with money could ever want to die. How shallow /are/ you? Sorry but if someone jumps off a bridge, there's obviously something wrong there. You're just one of those idiots who thinks they know everything, therefore if you don't know what caused him to do it, there must be no reason for it. You're not the pinnacle of knowledge, there are things that you don't know, so quit assuming things don't exist just because you've not heard of them.

  • @annoloki he didnt give a reason aside from substance use and depression, ive been there, once again. and you wanna talk about know it alls? youre starting bullshit on youtube. fuck off idiot. money doesnt buy happiness, but it helps. my guess is you wouldnt know and youre just pouring pity out for this guy cause its what you percieve as right but you wouldnt know cause you havent been there but ive been in this guys damn near same spot. so fuck off you piece of garbage and quit assuming shit

  • @narezul I don't pity him at all, you're the one having an emotional reaction to the talk, and you're projecting that on to me. You're also the one making wild assumptions, which is why you're projecting that on to me too. Seriously, get a hold of your emotions, there's no way you should be reacting this strongly to someone you've never met over the internet. There's no way this can be any good for your blood pressure. Do you have anyone you can call?

  • @narezul Why you so mad tho?

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  • @MrDucelee and to top it off now after he joins the ranks of failed suicides he wants help for those people...help for himself...

    are you like 16 or something?

  • @MrDucelee im not really, but people who dont know anything trying to tell me things about this when ive been pretty close to the situation gets pretty annoying pretty fast. and people with more than they realize trying to end it all for some past trauma pisses me off. not feeling bad for this guy is an extention of not feeling bad for myself. to top it all off i hate anyone who starts foundations or takes up a cause after theyre one of the afflicted all i see it as is a selfish "help me" fund

  • 2:16 are those faces of contempt or surprise? 

  • 2:16 ROFL !!!!!

  • Guess I should watch "You don't know Jack" to understand the other sides of suicide for people who have incurable conditions and suffer from 'em daily.

  • if anybody is going through a difficult or desperate time please ask for help. There is NO SHAME in asking for help! Please do not listen to insensitive people.

  • @Bosco239

    Ya think? What gave it away? Was it the part where he said that he was John? ;-)

  • I find this sad...Why do people feel the urge to say that suicide is perfectly alright on a video specifically made to help those that need help...I am quite alright with you killing yourself if you've resigned yourself to the fact that you simply don't want to live anymore...but please, allow the people that need help to be offered it. Don't be a fucking ass and try and convince them away from it. If anyone needs help-if you don't want to use a hotline, please message me.

  • @TRRProductions09 thank you. well put

  • @TRRProductions09

    I second that.

  • @TRRProductions09

    Wow, I didn't hear that. I am someone who has considered suicide many, many times. This was very meaningful and inspirational to me. I must've missed the remark you are referring to.

  • @TRRProductions09 The people who makes these comment's just know it's the only way they will ever affect another human's life........ It's kindof like the people who say something racist for the sole purpose of having something to say which someone might react to.

  • I bet he is John.

  • @waysworth you should really explore other perspectives or reconsider your thoughts on this subject. this is coming from somebody that just lost their 21 year old brother and has struggled with intense depression and suicidal thoughts myself.

  • @pinkflowerpoop

    I'm sorry about your brother. Please don't think I'm advocating suicide, although it may sound like it if you've not read my opening comment. I stated opposition to condemnation of "all" suicide, as all are not a result of despair, but if so, intervention is the right thing. Like most people with depression issues, you probably already know it's unlikely you've ever made a good decision while depressed, so keep that in mind. And again, I feel for you and your brother.

  • @waysworth I read it all. I appreciate your thoughts. The main issue is that many people suffer and keep it inside without asking for help. A suicide is usually completed by somebody in a debilitating state of mind, therefore can not make rational decisions. We are all different and people have different reasons for ending their life, but essentially the reason is that they do not see a way out of their pain. There is though, there really is. and no, it doesn't have to be "god".

  • This too shall pass.

  • A totally different reason stopped me. On the brink of doing the final act, someone called me asking for help with some mundane thing. I realized that with all the bad things happening in the world, a lot more people (most I havent met yet) are going through much worse and need help with bigger things, and I can only help them if I am alive. Your life is yours only to give, and not to take.

  • Living life, no matter how hard. Is better than cowardice.

  • @agpshadow: Bullshit. Who the hell are you to call it cowardice? Don't you avoid unpleasant things in your life? Don't you try to avoid people who annoy you? Are you a coward because of it? Was it cowardice when someone tried to excape from a war prison during the WW2?

    People shouldn't be so judgemental about the things they know nothing about.

  • @asmodeus585 : well, this guy certainly wasn't in the war. and escaping from prison is much different than escaping trivial 'downs' of life. obviously this man has no concept of the value of human life.

    in my mind, there are no "attempted suicide" you either do it. or your an attention seeking whore. this man coming forward at a TED talk about his attn.-whoring is even more evidence of his silliness.

  • @agpshadow you officially suck as a human being. Not sure the insect class would have you but who knows maybe they have more compassion than you do.

  • @agpshadow u are pathetic

  • @agpshadow Pray to God that you never get so low as to consider suicide-.it's the most horrific pain I have ever been in. I've had the knife to my wrist. The 'trivial' up's and downs in life have little to do with it. To be trapped in your own mind, in constant excruciating pain overrides much of life's up's and down's. Long duration pain does weird things to the mind-horrid things. Life gets real simple.singular in focus - MAKE THE PAIN STOP. Learn - really learn compassion. Pray for yourself.

  • @agpshadow: I beg to differ. Hemingway was open with his suicidal thoughts for a very long time, so you could say that he was just "an attention-seking whore". However, eventually he actually decided to do it and he did it. He shot himself with his favorite shotgun. So was he "an attention-seeking whore afterall" or not?

    I did not comment on the value of this presentation. I just don't like people expressing defnite opinions on such delicate matters.

  • @agpshadow Fuck off

  • Survival of the fittest.

  • Arguments and giving out..

    Is this really the quality of TED viewers?

  • Anyone else think that the TEDtalks ident is way too loud compared to the rest? I set the volume to the desired level and then at the end of the video the ident blows my eardrums! Grrrrr! :(

  • I think it wrong to lump all suicides together in one basket.

    Should I decide to end my life, for whatever rational reason, that's my business.

    My action should not be condemned by society, the church or anyone else.

    If my action were prompted by some physical or mental condition, which could and would in fact be cured, then yes... intervention might be a good thing.

    But if there is no cure, or the decision is simply based on my no longer wanting to live, then it should be respected.

  • @waysworth Typical selfish attitude. Only thinking about yourself.

    What about people around you? What about your family, your friends? They care about you and this is how you repay them?

    What about your duty before the humanity? You know how many people need your help right now!? Do some charity, help poor, don't sit on your ass and pity yourself.

    And I should respect your decision? Fuck that.

  • @Zotov13

    what are you talking about? who said anything about pity? and what duty to humanity?

    people chose to have abortions, sex-changes, move to New Zealand or go to law school,

    it's a personal decision. good, bad, selfish or stupid... it's not for someone else to condemn if you chose to end your life.

  • @waysworth: I second that.

  • @Zotov13: Fuck your opinion. It's selfish of you to believe that your opinions are more important than those stated by the other people. It is very egoistic to impose your outdated dogmas on others and at the same time call them 'selfish'.

    If someone wants to commit suicide it is a clear sign that either he's got no family and no friends or that these people around him fail to bring the support that the individual in question simply needs.

  • @waysworth I hope you never do. For the sake of you and those around you.

  • @ccm800

    Thank you for that kind thought.

    I too hope I never do, but instead, when the time comes, die peacefully in my sleep.

    It has however been pointed out in another post, that this forum is meant for discussion of desperate suicides, not the kind of which I speak, so I'll just say "no one should act on a notion of any sort of suicide without first consulting friends and family.

  • @waysworth: Amen to that.

  • @waysworth you should read this FAQ site: lifegard*tripod*com/ssfaqs*htm­l especially the answer to "what is suicide?' Its not right for you or anybody to spread the idea that there is no escape

  • @pinkflowerpoop

    if one contemplates suicide because the feel there is no escape, they are probably desperate, and need help.

    It has however been pointed out in another post, that this forum is meant for discussion of desperate suicides, not the kind of which I speak, so I'll just say "no one should act on a notion of any sort of suicide without first consulting friends and family.

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  • @waysworth no redemption.. but once a person suffers loss due to suicide, well for this person who is left behind there really is not any redemption

  • @waysworth it iswrong for people to say suicide is selfish, but it is also wrong to say those who suffer loss due to suicide are selfish. those who are left suffer immensely for the rest of their lives, and those who leave, well they miss out on the good parts of life. they don't get to learn that this is something that one can get past, maybe not forever and always but ending a life indefinitely is a tragedy. Life may not always but great and for some its extremely difficult and seems there is

  • @waysworth This is about help for suicide survivors, people trying to put their lives back together, not about the right to end ones own life.

  • @annoloki

    Yes I understand that now.  this forum is NOT about help for suicide survivors NOT wanting to continue life. They too are a part of the statistic, and they too need help, but you are right... not in this forum.

  • A study shows "blah blah blah" where's your source?

  • @Buddhabr0t That would be true if you were using the same sample size. The number of people who attempt suicide a second time is far smaller than the people who attempt suicide for the first time.

  • what kind of bullshit statistic is this? if 19 out of 20 fail, and the second time they are 37 times more successfull, then they have a successrate of 5% * 37 > 100%???

  • Maybe he meant 37%...?

  • fuck suicide survivors...

  • @Vormav666 yeah, okay KRAM.  tell satan get on the cross for me.

  • To the individuals who attack and criticise suicidal people: You will never understand the despair that drives a person against all natural instinct of self preservation and inflict a fatal injury on themselves. Suicidal depression is a *horrendous state of existence*. It's not something you can shake off easily. I'm glad you never experienced it, even though I think you're complete arsehole. But one thing is certain with depression, nobody can help you if you won't help yourself.

  • Why we view suicide as such a horrible thing, I'll never know. It is just a short cut to the end. Life is a game, some people never get tired of the game and are happy with it. Some people get sick of the game, and want out. That is their right.

    I probably wouldn't commit suicide with my family still around, just because of how badly that would fuck them up... but once I'm older and no one really gives a shit about me anymore... eh, why not?

  • @zrhealey

    Why do we view cancer as a horrible thing? It's just a shortcut to the end.

    Why do we view murder as a horrible thing? Shorcut to the end.

    Because we, most human beings, agreed that life is precious and we should strive to preserve it, we should strive to save others, if not out of compassion -for which most people are incapable of, anyways- then save others so others will save us.

    Depression is a disease. There are many forms of it and it has many causes, but It's a disease.

  • @zrhealey It depends on the context and on the means. Context: suicide is the 6th largest cause of death, but it's the 4th largest cause of productive years lost. Many youth suicides are spur of the moment, and with the right support and awareness should be preventable. Means: Laws against assisted suicide push people to use methods that are often painful and debilitating, but unsuccessful.

  • It's much easier to die than it is to live. Suicide victims are cowards. I'm sorry if this comes off as cruel and remorseless, but I feel no pity for those who choose to give up in life rather than fight it with everything even if it kills them.

  • @Ngman316

    You have no clue what you are talking about, honey. You, with your undeveloped mind of a child which can't grasp the situation suicidal people are in and empathize with these men and women, boys and girls, you are in no position to have your say on the topic.

  • @Ngman316 I'm pretty sure when someone has reached the point of numbness & depression where they are considering suicide, they wouldn't give two shits about what you think of them.

  • @Ngman316 Your comment does come across as cruel and remorseless. It is also a generalisation, and doesn't apply to the vast majority of people who are driven to seek release from their pain through suicide. I doubt you or I could even begin to imagine the courage it takes some people just to stay alive day after day. Survivors of child abuse, sufferers of chronic pain, etc., etc. They need society's support, not judgement.

  • @CoyoteAussie I forgot where i read this from but it goes something like this. "You watch those animal shows before? Chances are, you've seen documentaries of wolves. Wolves are some of the most ferocious predators in the wild; lightening fast speed, powerful bone-breaking jaws and built to the last muscle. And how does it live? For most of its life, it's starving, sometimes going weeks without food and only eat once every week or 2 if it's lucky. It is not an apex predator either

  • @CoyoteAussie It live in constant fear of bears, even the defense of their preys. It lives for that moment of glory when it finally catches its meal. a human can cage it, beat it, starve it, but it'll continue to live and thrive until its body can no longer keep up." take example from the wolves. You become a bitch when you end it and call it quits. You're a hero if you live it

  • @CoyoteAussie The speaker in the video fought to make his life better after his jump off the golden gate bridge. His story earned my attention and my respect. Those who succeeds in killing themselves after 2-3 times of attempts does not.

  • @Ngman316 Well I pity the vulnerable people in your circle. Mental illness is still poorly understood in society, as your comments demonstrate. Many of the world's greatest contributors have lived and died with bi-polar disorder (previously known as manic-depressive syndrome, and a condition with a very high incidence of suicide). May I presume from your comments that you have no respect for Vincent van Gogh and Ernest Hemmingway, among many others?

  • if someone wants to commit suicide... let them. save the money you want spend on saving them, and spend it on people who actually want to use their lives and achieve certain goals, but cant because of lack of their lack of resources.

  • @choister420

    "If somebody is dying of a curable disease, let them"

    What are you dumb, uneducated fucktards doing on these pages anyways? Why do you animals feel the need to have your say in a topic you don't have the SLIGHTEST knowledge about.

    Some humans aren't much more civilized than apes. It's sad how little the gap is between humans and other animals. Barf.

  • You need to be stronger. If you don't believe in yourself no one will.

  • i once "helped" two people who were suicidal.

    all i did was gave them the truth:

    they didn't really want to die. they wanted to live, and they weren't living. they needed to figure out for themselves ... it is that you're living with something that you can't live WITH or living without something that you can't live without.

    i said this to both of them separately - and each one had the same response.

    their faces lit up. they understood. they had renewed hope and a better direction.

  • Great video! Thanks to Mr. Schramm and TED for sharing this wonderful story of learning to overcome what can often be the most difficult criticism - that which comes from ourselves and never leaves us alone. I hope people spread this message so the converation can continue that it, in fact, DOES get better

  • I don't understand...what is wrong :(

    He was rich right...so finance wise, it's perfect....is it a health issue ?

    What gives to this point of wanting to end one's life ?

    I...I just don't understand...

    The saddest part is...when I hear John talk...he sounded...like he is half alive...like a part of him is gone...is that the essence of life itself ?

    I hope...one day...he will be able to repair his spiritual side...because at this point in time...when I look at him...I looked at a half person.

  • @Bracerjack

    That's the point. You don't have to be poor or have a shitty life, you can still feel awful enough to prefer ending your life to living it.

    Suicidal people or depressed people are the way they are for various different reasons. It might be they have a brain chemical imbalance, they might have had a trauma, or led a crappy life, or are unable to fit into society, or just much smarter than the average or a myriad of other things.

  • I am quite open about my suicide attempt and it is strange how people say,"Wow I couldn't imagine you doing that." But often enough they come out with their own stories of suicide attempts or ideation. I don't know what this means, but living a lie brought me to that numb place and I would rather be socially awkward than be there again.

  • @Ashakat42 I don't know how I would react to a person openly talking about his/her suicidal thought, it would probably be awkward for me.

  • I think people are afraid to talk to people who attempted suicide because we assumed it's something they're so ashamed of that it would upset them to bring it up.

  • @TheMessianicManic

    I'm not sure. Some people might be like how you described. But my solid opinion is that most people don't understand the concept of suicide. An awful lot of "normal" people look upon suicide with contemp. I think most people haven't been there emotionally where suicidal people have been and lack the intellect and empathy to understand them.

  • @d3st88 How could someone understand suicide? I would consider myself as an intellectual and empathy person, but (attempted) suicide is a concept I would only understand, if one would suffering enormous chronic physical pain, which has no cure. But however messed up you're life is, with enough time every problem can be solved...

  • @4gnostic

    There is no such thing as "non physical pain". All pain is physical, since feelings are actually chemical molecules and electrical charges in your nervous system. So "emotional pain" or "psychological pain" is just as physical as getting hit by a door. Some people may have chemical imbalances in their brains and get heavily depressed, some are more sensitive to traumas like.. losing a loved one, ending a relationship or something.

  • @4gnostic

    I think you are right. With enough time most problems can be solved, but one can arrive to a point where existing is just so painful one would rather choose to end his or her life than live in constant agony. Or perhaps one's real problem is not even some real problem, but some chemical imbalance.

  • @mindnumber9. So according to you a certain event is a miracle if there is no "human effort or skill" and the outcome of that event FITS YOUR standards of GOOD. Miracles are religion, religion makes a causal correlation between the nature of certain events (real or fictional) with the intervention of transcendent creatures, supernatural forces or both... according to religion these events escape the realm of nature that's religious authorities deny any natural explanation of there BS miracles

  • @shadman1911 yes - according to me, a miracle is an event that is GOOD and is not of human effort or skill. that is exactly correct.

    it ISN'T "religion" and has nothing to do with religion. ANYONE can experience a miracle, religious or not.

    miracles are not limited to events in life that are "religious". miracles are NON religious.

    it's not my fault that so many humans don't understand & continue to HATE religions (and most anything associated with it). stop your associations and be FREE

  • @mindnumber9 Allow me to laugh at your intellectual dishonesty... "good" is relative... what is "good" for you might be the worst thing in the world for me and vice-versa how can we determine if an event is a miracle?, let me tell you what miracles are: self-inflicted man made bullshit... a masturbatory tendency to explain natural simple phenomenons with fantasy stories where (some) people are worth of "G" intervention, because they are so fucking good.

  • @shadman1911 WHAT??? HELLO! NO NEED for your INAPPROPRIATE sexual references - INSANE!

    there was no dishonesty and no error.

    THIS conversation is over.

  • @mindnumber9 it never started

  • it never started...