[UA] Suicide countdown

[Mike Lake]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Magnus Lie Hetland" <magnus at hetland.org>
To: "The Unknown Armies RPG Mailing List" <ua at lists.unknown-armies.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 5:38 AM
Subject: Re: [UA] Suicide countdown

> A random (and admittedly not all that authoritative ;) example:
>
>> Myth:  Suicide often happens without any warning.
>>
>> Fact:  Almost everyone who commits or attempts suicide has given  some 
>> clue or warning. Do not ignore suicide threats. Statements  like "you'll 
>> be sorry when I'm dead," "I can't see any way out," --  no matter how 
>> casually or jokingly said may indicate serious  suicidal feelings.

    I take this with a generous scoop of salt.  "Some clue or warning" 
sounds like after-the-fact conclusions being drawn.  It's vague, open-ended, 
mentions no time frame, offers no contextual reference, and only bothers 
counting positives, making it very easy for people to find clues and 
warnings where none existed.  That's how superstitions are born.  Until and 
unless there's an authoritative study of people who do mention suicide, no 
matter how casually or jokingly, and how many of THEM commit suicide in 
comparison to the general populace, this "fact" is pretty well empty 
assertion.