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Tag(s): Courage; Japan; Markets; Men; Psychology; Suicide
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July 26, 2008 at 19:44:17

There Are Better Solutions than Suicide

by Jim Donovan

www.opednews.com

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There was a very disturbing story in USA Today this week about how the suicide rate in Japan is at an all time high. With some 34,000 people taking their own life last year alone, this is certainly a tragedy.

While I can understand how a person can sink to such a level of despair, having been there in my own life years ago, I also know, today, how totally unnecessary it is.

There is always a way out of any circumstance, regardless of how it may appear in the moment. As a wise man once said, "Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem."

While I do not profess to be an expert on this subject, there have been times as I said earlier, I have been close enough to understand what might drive a person to an act with such finality.

One of the things that helped me get past it was, believe it or not, my incessant curiosity. To me, committing suicide is like walking out of a theater before the end of the movie. I figured I was going to die sooner or later so why not stick around to see what happens. Looking back from my current perspective, I'm sure glad I did.

Another thing, which probably had more impact than anything else, is that I'm essentially an optimist and know that, sooner or later, everything will work out. I believe in God and know that he/she has a better future in store for me.

I'm reminded of the story of the ancient King who summoned the Royal Jeweler to make him a ring that would, "Make me happy when I am sad and sad when I am happy."

The wise old ring maker came back with a ring inscribed, "This too shall pass."

People who have reached the point where taking their own life seems the only way out may want to consider that, whatever is happening right now, will certainly change. And probably in the very near future.

Financial markets will bounce back, real estate prices will rise nice again and the world will keep on spinning. Everything in our life will be different in a short time.

In the case of those taking their own life, 57% were unemployed middle aged men who took the cowardly way out--yes, suicide is a cowardly act. It takes courage to face our problems head-on and do something about them. In those cases in particular, they could start asking more empowering questions like, "What else can I do to change this situation?"

They can seek professional help or even join one of the many support groups to help them better cope with the current situation.

With all the opportunities available today, in Japan and elsewhere, there is no reason anyone has to resort to ending their own life as a way to solve any problem, much less an economic one.

While committing suicide may be considered an acceptable way to solve a financial crisis, it doesn't take into account the effect on one's spouse or the long term damage to children left behind to sort it all out.

www.TurnaroundMentor.com

Jim Donovan, is the author of several critically acclaimed self-help books, published in more than 20 countries and a highly sought after motivational speaker and small business coach. His newest service "Turnaround Mentor," provides coaching and mentoring for small businesses who want greater results.

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2 comments

Patricia Ormsby is an environmental and health activist living Fujinomiya, Japan. She obtained her bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado in 1981 and studied Linguistics at the University of Michigan Graduate School before moving to Japan in 1984, where she has worked since as a language teacher and translator of Japanese and Russian technical documents. She hang glides and climbs mountains and has led several ecotours to Siberia, Canada and the United States....

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Patricia 0rmsbyPatricia Ormsby is an environmental and health activist living Fujinomiya, Japan. She obtained her bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado in 1981 and studied Linguistics at the University of Michigan Graduate School before moving to Japan in 1984, where she has worked since as a language teacher and translator of Japanese and Russian technical documents. She hang glides and climbs mountains and has led several ecotours to Siberia, Canada and the United States....

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The depressed society

Thank you for your article! It caught my eye as I am living in Japan and have watched several friends deal with depression here (a few permanently, the rest unsuccessfully). I also experienced depression back when the word meant "the time when your parents were born." Instead, I had an "inferiority complex." That's what it really amounted to--an inability to see my own value. It extended beyond good times and bad times, and I really thought the world would be better off with one less "useless eater."

You can't reach people who are depressed like that. They put up every wall they can because they don't think they deserve to be loved. I think the high rate of suicide in Japan, however, reflects a number of social factors, including group exclusivity, which means that if you are out of a job, you really are out of friends, and your wife whom you hardly ever saw anyway will probably be grateful for your assuredly permanent absense. The kids know you as the guy occupying the bed on Sunday. Historically in Japan, suicide has been considered an honorable way to deal with disgrace. It is no surprise that the prolonged economic downturn has had the effect of boosting suicides.

Depression, however, is not only the province of economic distress. I have known gainfully employed active people also to be depressed and it seems to be on the increase. I know I will get accused of having a tin foil hat (in fact, I do), but I put part of the blame on wireless technology for both sociological and physiological reasons. I challenge anyone scoffing at me to read the literature, starting with www.bioinitiative.com

I know from my own personal experience that depression can be overcome by making a clear decision to move past it and care about others. However it is hard for me to say how effective this would be by itself. Since I started taking steps to reduce my EMR load about ten years ago, I have not been depressed at all. It used to be a regular occurrence, and I know it was putting a lot of stress on my happy marriage.

by Patricia 0rmsby (3 articles, 5 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 161 comments) on Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 8:53:35 PM

Sherwin Steffin is a retired educator, and research analyst. His working career ranged from classroom teacher, university administrator, founder and CEO of two software companies, independent consultant, ending as a research statistician for a large Internet Service Provider. Although he has some mobility problems, his life continues to be productive and enjoyable. He spends his time doing online tutoring, reading writing entries in his blog, operating an online store, and dabbling a bit in ...

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Sherwin SteffinSherwin Steffin is a retired educator, and research analyst. His working career ranged from classroom teacher, university administrator, founder and CEO of two software companies, independent consultant, ending as a research statistician for a large Internet Service Provider. Although he has some mobility problems, his life continues to be productive and enjoyable. He spends his time doing online tutoring, reading writing entries in his blog, operating an online store, and dabbling a bit in ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Both Wrong and Dangerous

Your perspective on depression and suicide is both erroneous, and dangerous to any who may be suffering from the former, and at risk of the latter.

Let’s be very clear, here. Depression is a psychiatric (medical) disorder. Your article strongly implies that this condition or “state of mind,” can be “fixed” by a change in attitude. Nothing can be further from the case. Depression, and the risk of suicide can only be treated trough psychiatric intervention. In the vast majority of cases, this ncludes the use of psychotropic medications, frequently accompanied by “talking therapy,” as well as by a variety of other medically accepted methods.

For those suffering from depression, taking your advice, and attempting to cure themselves can have lethal consequences, just as is the case of those who seek unproven alternatives after being told that they have some terminal physical disease.

by Sherwin Steffin (15 articles, 25 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 99 comments) on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 9:37:56 AM