# Why do some people mock the ones who are suicidal? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 11, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537 "2012-02-11T18:33:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![voidray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/cc9497/32.png) [@voidray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voidray)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/1 "2012-02-11T18:33:25Z")
What is the reason behind the fact that some people mock the ones who feel suicidal and mock the ones who are in depression? Depression and feeling suicidal are medical situations and in relation with chemical situation in the brain. Ergo, they need help, not a condemnation or being mocked. I think there are some people who want to be the center of the attention. And, other people assume every suicidal person “unreal” suicidal, they think they just want to be the center of the attention. Is this only reason behind the fact that some people mock suicide? Or is there any other reason? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/2 "2012-02-11T19:13:43Z")
> [@voidray](#): > > What is the reason behind the fact that some people mock the ones who feel suicidal and mock the ones who are in depression? Because a lot of people are gloating sadists. Many of them would get off on it if their harassment drove the depressed person into actually killing themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/3 "2012-02-11T19:15:05Z")
Because even if it is not the depressed person’s fault, it can get really tiresome interacting with him. There was a poster here on the Dope whose schtick was constantly putting himself down. I have no doubt his problems were clinical. Nonetheless, he was banned. There was some actor that **Eve** mentioned, who committed suicide because he had to put his dog in the pound. Certainly putting your dog in the pound is a terribly sad thing. But committing suicide over it? Even if your reactions are not your fault, other people still have to deal with them. And that can be very, very difficult. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/4 "2012-02-11T19:19:50Z")
> [@](#): > > There was some actor that Eve mentioned, who committed suicide because he had to put his dog in the pound. Certainly putting your dog in the pound is a terribly sad thing. But committing suicide over it? I’m sure you don’t mean to be flippant, but things like that are rarely the core reason. usually a somewhat unremarkable event can be the proverbial “last straw.” ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/5 "2012-02-11T19:20:21Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Because a lot of people are gloating sadists. Many of them would get off on it if their harassment drove the depressed person into actually killing themselves. This is a rather terrible thought; from where do you get your bleak opinion? ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/6 "2012-02-11T19:25:16Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > This is a rather terrible thought; from where do you get your bleak opinion? middle school and high school. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/7 "2012-02-11T19:34:30Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > I’m sure you don’t mean to be flippant, but things like that are rarely the core reason. usually a somewhat unremarkable event can be the proverbial “last straw.” No, of course that’s not the core reason. But that’s more or less my point - it is very easy to get tired of dealing with people whose problems are so severe that losing your dog can be the last straw that drives them to suicide. That’s bizarre behavior. And it is difficult to deal with people who act bizarrely, even if it not their fault. The first time someone is hospitalized from a suicide attempt, one can be sympathetic. But the second? The third? The fourth? The fifth, as was the case with a friend of mine? After a certain point, it is hard to respond, not with “Oh the poor guy”, but with “oh cripes - here we go again.” Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/8 "2012-02-11T19:41:30Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > This is a rather terrible thought; from where do you get your bleak opinion? Watching people. And news stories like [this one](http://m.rollingstone.com/entry/view/id/21882/pn/all/p/0/?KSID=d96be36dab1980327403503afda12594). > [@](#): > > Seeking relief from bullying, Brittany transferred to Jackson Middle School. Her very first day of eighth grade, eight boys crowded around her on the bus home. “Hey, Brittany, I heard your friend Sam shot herself,” one began. > > “Did you see her blow her brains out?” > > “Did you pull the trigger for her?” > > “What did it look like?” > > “Was there brain all over the wall?” > > “You should do it too. You should go blow your head off.” ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/9 "2012-02-11T19:50:55Z")
Is there an epidemic of people mocking those who are suicidal? Can’t say I’ve witnessed it much, that I can remember. ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/10 "2012-02-11T19:53:53Z")
It’s also hard to tell the difference between genuinely suicidal people, and people who act that way because they like drama and attention and people treating them sympathetically. The poseurs, especially in high school and college, dramatically outnumber the truly suicidal. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/11 "2012-02-11T19:55:41Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Watching people. And news stories like [this one](http://m.rollingstone.com/entry/view/id/21882/pn/all/p/0/?KSID=d96be36dab1980327403503afda12594). That is the behavior of young school children; not exactly a fair representation of the population at large. Children are well-known for their capacity for cruelty and bullying in large settings; in school and other social scenes. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/12 "2012-02-11T20:07:02Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > That is the behavior of young school children; not exactly a fair representation of the population at large. What, do you think they evaporate when they get older? And didn’t you note just how much hatred and how little concern was coming from many adults? ---
**Author:** ![KneeSid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dec6dc/32.png) [@KneeSid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneeSid)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/13 "2012-02-11T20:08:32Z")
I would agree children and high school age kids aren’t really aware of the effects of taunting. Bullying has always existed and in the past kids and adults have learned to cope. And there is such a thing as a professional victim. I knew of a woman who cheated on her husband. Five years later they’re still married and he’s still playing the victim. You know what, she did you wrong and she screwed you over, in more than one way. But it’s been five years now. There comes a time when the suffering you feel, is your fault. Especially since it’s been five years and you’re not doing anything to change the situation. It’s like those old sitcoms where the mother or grandmother refuses to take her pills so she’ll get sick. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/14 "2012-02-11T20:15:45Z")
Because it makes them feel bigger about themselves, or they don’t believe them and want to be dicks, or mostly for entertainment. Because people are dicks. Especially some Dopers. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/15 "2012-02-11T20:21:35Z")
> [@KneeSid](#): > > I would agree children and high school age kids aren’t really aware of the effects of taunting. bullshit. children are vicious little pack animals, and they get more vicious and evil when they figure out just how much they can get away with. > [@](#): > > Bullying has always existed and in the past kids and adults have learned to cope. this is disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/16 "2012-02-11T20:22:14Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > What, do you think they evaporate when they get older? In many ways, yes. [Redirect Notice](http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=adolescent%20cruelty&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDcQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.psychologytoday.com%2Fblog%2Fsurviving-your-childs-adolescence%2F201001%2Fsocial-cruelty-why-early-adolescents-treat-each-other-&ei=88s2T7uFE4n30gHZrMzAAg&usg=AFQjCNHv0kmBsaOpIw1Fg7D7ZgLj7TsqsA) The cruelty and bullying is a sort of “social construct” of this new, budding slice of our society. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/17 "2012-02-11T20:39:43Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > There was some actor that **Eve** mentioned, who committed suicide because he had to put his dog in the pound. Certainly putting your dog in the pound is a terribly sad thing. But committing suicide over it? If it’s [the one I think you mean](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57368258-10391698/nick-santino-soap-opera-actor-commits-suicide-after-putting-pet-dog-to-sleep/), he had to put his dog down after being relentless bullied by other tenants. It was an overreaction (he could have found a good home for the dog), but there were probably other things in his life so that he thought the dog was his only friend. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/18 "2012-02-11T20:46:24Z")
Because pathetic people are extremely easy to laugh at. It takes an amazing person to be compassionate and understanding when someone is weeping about themselves. That’s why I have nothing but respect for therapists. I wouldn’t be able to do their job day after day without eventually losing it. I can’t stand other people’s whining. I hate myself when I whine, so I really try not to do it (though I know I fail far too frequently). But I really hate hearing other’s whining, especially when it is over ridiculous stuff. I think most of us can sympathize with someone who’s suicidal for “understandable” reasons. That is to say, their health is failing or they are in excruciating pain. What’s harder to relate to are people who just want to die just because they hate themselves. When you’re hating yourself, it makes perfect sense. But for everyone else, you’re just being a self-absorbed nutcase who needs to shut up already. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/19 "2012-02-11T20:48:03Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Because pathetic people are extremely easy to laugh at. > > It takes an amazing person to be compassionate and understanding when someone is weeping about themselves. That’s why I have nothing but respect for therapists. I wouldn’t be able to do their job day after day without eventually losing it. > > I can’t stand other people’s whining. I hate myself when I whine, so I really try not to do it (though I know I fail far too frequently). But I really hate hearing other’s whining, especially when it is over ridiculous stuff. > > I think most of us can sympathize with someone who’s suicidal for “understandable” reasons. That is to say, their health is failing or they are in excruciating pain. What’s harder to relate to are people who just want to die just because they hate themselves. When you’re hating yourself, it makes perfect sense. But for everyone else, you’re just being a self-absorbed nutcase who needs to shut up already. and we’re very sorry we can’t be as awesome as you. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537/20 "2012-02-11T20:52:09Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > and we’re very sorry we can’t be as awesome as you. To be fair, you are talking to someone that has a medical condition that makes it hard for her to relate to people emotionally (said with love- I like\*\* monstro\*\* a lot). The rest of the jerks, however, have no such excuse. Some people would do well to remember that online, nobody knows if you’re a dog. Everybody knows if you’re an asshole. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-mock-the-ones-who-are-suicidal/612537.md?page=2)