Suicidal People are Attention Seeking

And so they should be if it means getting the help they need...

   National Suicide Prevention Day yesterday saw the spreading of love, support and awareness for mental health on social media. Unfortunately, it also laid bare the harmful mindsets surrounding those who choose to speak out about their mental illnesses.

   I ask you this: when you saw this blog post on your feed, did you click on it expecting to read a full blown rant about how mental health sufferers play the victim to get their two minutes of fame?
I don't blame you if you did.


   Let's examine the phrase, "attention seeking". It has many negative connotations but why should reaching out be viewed as something to be frowned upon? When a shock announcement is made on the news that a celebrity has committed suicide, the response is suddenly different. Twitter is drowned out by a tsunami of "#RIP..." tweets containing the suicide hotline number and solemn regrets that said celebrity did not speak out before it was too late.

Yet, when people do publicly speak out, they are dismissed as 'attention seeking'.

Tell me, is that not the point? To stop suffering in silence, make people listen and get the attention they need?

   Irish singer, Sinead O'Connor, 50, posted a tearful video on 3 August describing her struggle with depression, loneliness and suicidal thoughts. The video sparked a great deal of worry amongst her fans and local police were involved. It followed that she was then hospitalised and she has since spoken out about the video in an interview with Dr Phil. 

   Many showed overwhelming support for O'Connor, whilst others were not so kind. Comments on her ordeal included, "Get a grip and stop whining. Nobody is interested in your self indulgent claptrap," and "Total self absorbed egotist. Suffering yet she goes on Dr Phil." Again, why was she being shamed for being so public about her depression? It's this dangerous attitude that makes people afraid of speaking out in the first place. 

   A tweet slamming depression by kickboxer, Andrew Tate, 30, circulated this week.



It states: "Depression isn't real. You feel sad, you move on. You will always be depressed if your life is depressing. Change it." He then goes on to say that, "Most depressed people are unhappy with their lives" and are "too lazy to change it." He denied that it is a clinical disease and claims that, "People will do anything to absolve responsibilities." 

   Tate faced an incredible backlash for his tweets but he continues to stand by what he said. There is a colossal difference between feeling sad and being depressed. That's what people with this attitude need to grasp.

   Only yesterday, YouTubers Olajide William "JJ" Olatunji (KSI), 24, and Joe Weller, 21, clashed onstage at Upload in London after KSI made derogatory comments about Weller's depression. To say the least, it is quite disturbing that people who are idolised by this generation are still upholding this stigma against mental illness.

    Even if that whole episode was a classic publicity stunt - we, as viewers, are no stranger to those - what wasn't fake was the response from their fans with many defending KSI's comments and emasculating Weller for being upset.

   Yes, some suicidal people are seeking attention but many are not. That's where the real problem lies. We should be encouraging people to come forward if they are not feeling right in themselves. We should be encouraging people to share their worries. We should be encouraging people to get help.


Why? Because they need our attention.

What are your thoughts on this article?
Let me know in the comments below!

18 comments

  1. I'm actually writing a similar post on suicide as we speak and I just took a little break to go on insta and I saw yours.. this is such a well written post girl, I love it! I've been in that position a few times and I hate the stigma around it so much! I 100% cried out for help but then thought people just saw me as attention seeking and I stopped and kept it to myself.. we need more posts like these circulating and it might just save another life! Well done hun, I'm so happy you've written this!xxx

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    1. Reading your comment made my night last night, Kate! So sorry it took me a while to reply. It's terrible that you felt that way at the time. I'm so blessed to be part of such a supportive, sharing online community where I feel less pressured to keep silence about important issues like these. I'm really glad you liked this post; I was very apprehensive about the response it would receive!

      Meg x

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  2. Very true. On one site I'm on we have a "distract me" cry for help. If anyone puts that on people try and help or just make them feel a little better for a while just to distract the depressive thoughts for a bit. The number of people who do this is a lot, and that's a good thing. There's a lot of people who are calling for help and others answer them. Thank you for sharing xx

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    1. That's so good! I've never come across anything like that before but it sounds like something that would really work. Thank you for reading!

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  3. When I saw the blog title I’m not going to lie I felt a little bit anger flicker inside me, I am however that I am glad I read it. What you said is spot on. Andrew Tate’s tweets really pissed me off. Clearly he along with others who judge people’s depression need to take themselves along to meet people who suffer this illness and put themselves in their shoes. X

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    1. I was in two minds about the title but I felt it most effective to prove my point that "attention seeking" is perceived as a bad thing. I am completely with you. Education is vital.

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  4. i hate when people judge. if someones unhappy and they express it yes sometimes it can be too much and sadden others but at;east it helps others know and gives them a chance to be somewhat helpful

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  5. Great post.

    Andrews tweet really bugged me. Honestly some people hat judge something they know nothing about, when they should be trying to understand and help in anyway they can.
    Shona Marie xo

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  6. So much love for this post!
    I don't understand how we can put so much of ourselves online and yet still be greeted with negative comments as soon as you open up about something that isn't 'perfect'.

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  7. The stigma around mental illness is truly disgusting. Reaching out for help shouldn't be perceived as negatively by anyone. I loved this post and I feel thankful that there are people like you helping to reduce the stigma of mental illness through writing like this! Love Casey x http://casestreetx.blogspot.co.uk

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  8. I love this post.
    I've lost a few people in my life to suicide, and my dad and ex-boyfriend have both attempted suicide in the past and survived thank god.
    I do think it is attention seeking - but I don't think that's should be perceived as a negative thing. It's seeking attention for all the right reasons. They need us to notice the extremity of their feelings. I think it's horrible that people feel that they need to go to this extreme for people to acknowledge their feelings, we should be doing more to learn and be able to recognise warning signs, because one day someone that just needs our help is going to end up leaving us forever.
    Thanks for sharing lovely.
    Hope you're well!
    Ysabelle
    www.thegrahamsmiths.com

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  9. That tweet is absolutely ridiculous! This is such a meaningful post, you wrote this beautifully.

    Sophie xx / One Unique

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    1. Thank you so much, Sophie! I put a lot of thought into it!

      Meg x

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  10. Such a great post! I wish it was easier to speak out, I cant understand why it is still such a taboo! Hating on that tweet x

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    1. Thank you! Yes, you and I both. It's such a shame that people make others feel bad for mental illness. We should be helping each other.

      Meg x

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  11. This was such a great blog!! Thank you for using your outlet to #endthestigma!

    Maddie | tigerlilydiary.com

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    1. Thank you so much, I'm glad you think so!

      Meg x

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