THE most recent online poll was about suicide, and we had a total of 49 people who responded to our question:
“In light of Linkin Park’s front man, Chester Bennington, who committed suicide last Thursday, social media has blown up with various opinions on the act of taking one’s own life. How do you view suicide?”
A total of 17 people, representing 35% of the vote, responded that it takes a lot of pain and hopelessness to get to that point. A total of 13 (27%) responded that they knew someone who had committed suicide,
Those who thought suicide a selfish, cowardly act that causes a lot of pain and unanswered questions to loved ones received 12% of the vote (6 votes), while five people (10%) said they had thought strongly about suicide, and have come close to taking their own lives.
Perhaps, disturbingly, four respondents (8% of the vote) said they have made attempts to take their own lives in the past, while just one person admitted to being depressed but musters the will to fight off suicidal thoughts.
Combined, these figures mean that 10 of the 49 respondents (20%) had seriously considered or attempted suicide, or were fighting depression that could lead to suicide.
Three people, representing 6% of the vote, said they had never thought about suicide at all.
