Why is it so hard for parents of suicidal teens to accept that death is part of life?

[Anonymous]

Seriously, why is teen suicide prevention touted as something that has to be prevented at all costs?

[Aa2003]

I don’t think it’s always death in general, but death when it’s not caused by “natural causes.” I think looking at it from my parents pov and other parents I know, it is very difficult to look at a child that they have either birthed or raised and believe death by their own hands is how they will die. Suicide is tragic and is devastating to entire families and communities, so it makes sense for the people who have seen you since you were a baby to want to try prevent that harm, even if that means living in denial.

[kylee2437]

It’s not about that it can’t be avoided at all costs it’s what can help to lessen the chances of someone committing suicide. Yes death is apart of life but if we aren’t coming up with ways to further help overall better mental health it’s just going to get worse. Do you have kids? Why wouldn’t you want to think of ways to lessen suicide percentage?

[Asker]

You can lessen the chances but if ending it all is what your child thinks is the best thing for them at the time, it's their choice to make.

[kylee2437]

@asker yes but at the same there's way to further prevent that. Doing absolutely nothing for those that struggle with mental health issues is probably the worst approach possible

[Asker]

There's nothing wrong with trying to convince them it's not the only way, but anything else is just going too far.

[kylee2437]

@asker I disagree. Encouraging people that it’s okay to not be okay and also seek possible therapy and finding more accessible resources is necessary. I’m confused on why you have an issue with this anyways. I feel like this is something that really shouldn’t be worried about. Why are you worried about people investing in ways to help mental health?

[Anonymous]

Consciously choosing to kill oneself with the awareness that they will kill themselves is interesting. I have never viewed it all that bad. In fact, I always thought it was selfish to say, "think about how your family will feel". Think about how the suicidal person feels. Why don't we ever do that. Why should they have to stay just so someone else doesn't hurt.

It is an interesting topic because whether or not you have ever been truly suicidal plays a huge role.

[Anonymous]

Generally speaking, a parent in a rich country expects their children to grow up and succeed them as mortality is low. Death is not part of the contract.
Each child is highly valued, highly expensive, and very likely to outlive the parent.
So a suicide is an absolute waste of the time and effort put into the child, is a tragic breach of expectation, as well as a loss of the person that they were and would have become.

[litty]

I'm assuming you already know, but what makes YOU think it's hard for parents to accept the child they put time and effort into would want to kill themselves?

[EyeKnowMeNahYou]

Because death is a part of life taking your own life shouldn't be a part of death or living with death

[Ms_Facesitter]

Death is a part of life, but suicidal doesn't seem natural. Suicide shouldn't be a part of death.

[DaySpring]

is becoming trans or surgery or medicine natural? Perhaps you're right. Maybe it is normal but not natural.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think teenagers are of the right state of mind to make such a decisions. Adults are, but I think we agree as a society that teenagers can’t consent to things.

[EnglishEuropean]

That's an odd question coming from a 30-year-old. I'm guessing you don't have kids.

[Anonymous]

Because they need the kids to work to stock up their pensions

[dustybiker]

It’s unnatural and preventable.

[RolandCuthbert]

It takes an anonymous troll to ask that question.

[clampfan101]

Do you not value human life?