Should governments make laws to protect people from hurting themselves?

[tricia103]

Each year, 1 in 5 females and 1 in 7 males engage in self injury.

90 percent of people who engage in self harm begin during their teen or pre-adolescent years.

Nearly 50 percent of those who engage in self injury activities have been sexually abused.

Females comprise 60 percent of those who engage in self injurious behavior.

About 50 percent of those who engage in self mutilation begin around age 14 and carry on into their 20s.

Many of those who self injure report learning how to do so from friends or pro self injury websites.

Approximately two million cases are reported annually in the U. S.

Considering these statistics, perhaps laws should be put into place to prevent people from harming themselves. What do you think? Would it be beneficial or just cause more problems?

[Phoenix98]

A law is only a law if someone actually follows it lol.

It's illegal to jaywalk.
I jaywalk all the time.

It's agaisnt the law to go above the speed limit.
I still do it when I need to get somewhere.

Get my point.

Also how exactly is it going to help to punish them for doing that? it's just bigger goverment reaching further and further into our lives until it's there 24/7. How on Earth would that make anything better? The law is going to punish them and it's just going to make it all worse.

What they need is parenting, support and love from their parents and counseling from professionals not laws and political bullshit.

[SwoopingHawk]

Most laws of that sort are really not enforceable without gross civil rights violations. That being said, I can see the argument for laws like those against suicide: get caught and stopped, you *will* get help. That's none of the Federal government's business though, each state would have to craft its own legislation on the matter assuming such laws were found desirable. It's certainly a debate that could be had, the idea does seem closer than suicide laws to the slide to state paternalism. I really don't know. Maybe we can deal with it after we take care of the border.

[YourGranny]

If by that you mean putting people in jail or giving them fines because they're self harming, then fuck no. My body, my problem. Going to jail or having to pay the government won't make things better at all. If anything it would make things worse. And how would they even find out? most people who self harm know how to hide the wounds from others. Plus, self harm comes is many many ways so how could that even work?

Instead of punishing people for the effects their mental issues have, do something to fix those issues. Give them psychiatric help. Do something useful.

[FashionQueen86]

People who smoke are also harming themselves, yet there are commercials and billboards, etc that entice and encourage smoking when they advertise cigarettes. Those who smoke are at serious risk of all types of cancers, organ failures, and, etc.

We definitely should try to push some type of option of help, but I don't see the gov helping. I think there just needs to be help outlets easily available at anytime for teens to reach out to.

[AriadneSky]

there are laws. two dr in consult are all thats needed to hold someone in a hospital against their will. for indefinite amount of time. you have to stand before a judge and argue your case to be let out. maybe you will maybe you won't.

[Jon101101]

Laws? That's a terrible idea, this isn't the Catholic Church. What people need is proper help, and for self harm/suicide not to be taken lightly. There is not enough awareness for this stuff and the government need to provide help and not sit on their fat cat asses.

[Sara413]

Nope. It's not the government's place to tell people what they can do with their own bodies.

Now, making mental health care accessible and encouraged - that I'm on board with.

[Sara413]

Besides, fear of getting caught would simply cause more of these people to hide what they've been doing and not seek out the help they need.

All around bad idea.

[DivaMonae]

It's illegal to kill yourself but...

1. Once you're dead it doesn't matter

2. If you live and are unsuccessful they still do nothing

So no because the laws are pretty inefficient.

[Sarahprincess]

I dont think that's a good idea.
What if someone needs medical help but won't go to a dr incase they worry about being in trouble.

[idkwtftoputhere]

that sounds stupid af, people are gonna self harm regardless of some stupid law being placed which is already gonna be difficult to enforce

[candyaurora]

Instead of laws the government can use the media nad schools for effective counseling. Also such people basicallly need the love of family or friends so increasing that can help reduce their addiction.

[Entruder]

No. How on Earth would that make anything better? The law is going to punish them and it's just going to make it all worse.

[georgepbush]

No that's big government we need a smaller government.

[Prettyapathetic]

Why the fuck would someone want to fuck up themeselves?

[tricia103]

It's called self harm. Generally people do it because they're depressed.

[Prettyapathetic]

*themselves maybe they can just slap themselves

[pooper89]

No. That cannot be enforced. They make laws that are enforceable

[Editor]

Making government everybody's daddy is a really bad idea.

[TheButterfly]

A law would just punish those who are already suffering. They just need help, that's all

[Thisperson98]

I am pretty sure a court can already order you to go to a mental hospital.

[Dred1614returns]

There is no way to prevent people from hurting themselves.

[Anonymous]

No in fact all public hospitals should have euthanasia centers where anyone age 12+ can go and end their life for any reason or for no reason.

[Anonymous]

As long as they're not hurting someone else, people should be allowed to do whatever the fuck they want.

[Anonymous]

how the heck would this even work? if a person wants to hurt himself/herself, they are going to do it regardless

[COCOCHANEL]

i guess you mean more counseling？

[I-Am-Bored]

That sounds like a really bad idea

[QuestionMan]

Mandatory counseling could be a good idea.

[CountryMom]

We need a smaller government!!!

[Anonymous]

How are these laws even going to work?

[tricia103]

If proof is presented that you have engaged in self harm, you could be fined. Perhaps that would keep people from doing it so often?

[Opinion Owner]

Nope that's not going to work. In fact, that will make things worst.

[Jon101101]

Yes he's right.

[Anonymous]

No...