William Pridmore

The suicidal desire of Tolstoy

Aim: To explore whether a healthy, successful individual may experience suicidal desires. Method: Examination of “A Confession” by Leo Tolstoy. Results: Confirmation that a physically and mentally healthy, well resourced individual may experience suicidal desires. Conclusion: To reduce suicide rates, a broader understanding of the factors which contribute to suicidal desires is required.

Suicide: What the General Public and the Individual Should Know

Background The predominant, current western view is that all suicide is the result of mental disorder. This view is much too narrow and does not admit extensive information regarding the social, economic, and forensic factors (among many others) which may contribute to completed suicide. A consequence of this narrow view is that prevention strategies mainly focus on the detection and treatment of mental disorder. A preferred approach is to place greater emphasis on public health approaches to suicide prevention. Objective To develop and suggest a body of information which may be useful in a public health approach to suicide. Conclusion It is suggested that the following be available to the general public: i) suicide is a fact of life which should be minimised, ii) suicide has many different triggers, iii) most people who take their lives are able to make decisions, and iv) increased public discussion and understanding of suicide is desirable. Five pieces of information that may be useful to those contemplating suicide include: i) don’t murder the part of you that wants to live, ii) suicide actions may leave you alive but disabled, iii) suicide hurts other people, iv) suicidal impulses do pass if you hold on, and v) suicide is a waste.

Suicide in early China and the current West

Objectives: To characterize suicide in early China, as a means of extending knowledge of this behaviour. Methods: We examined Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and collated and considered relevant details. Results: In early China, loss of authority/status, loved ones and fortune were triggers for suicide. The expression of the intention to suicide, either by word or action, was observed and elicited a placating response. Less frequent, but nevertheless clearly recorded, were accounts of suicide completed to satisfy the wishes of others. Conclusions: The suicide and related behaviour of early China shares many features with late Western societies, but one form (to satisfy the wishes of others) is currently undetected.

Suicide of Australians during the Vietnam War

Objectives: National suicide rates fall during times of war. This fits with the notion of the population coming together against a common foe. But, what happens in the case of a war which is not fully supported, which draws the population and families apart? We consider this question by examining the Australian suicide rates during the divisive Vietnam War. Methods: We graphed and examined the Australian suicide figures for 1921–2010. Results: We found clear evidence of a decrease in the suicide rate for World War II (consistent with other studies), but a marked elevation of suicide during the Vietnam War. Conclusions: The elevation of the Australian suicide rate during the Vietnam War is consistent with Durkheim’s social integration model – when social integration is lessened, either by individual characteristics or societal characteristics, the risk of suicide rises.

The conundrum of hanging points in correctional facilities

Objective: We aimed to explore aspects of the removal of hanging points from correctional facilities. Conclusion: An argument can be made that individuals have a right to die/suicide. The United Nations holds that except for freedom of movement, prisoners have the same rights as non-prisoners. The rights of the individual and the duty of many custodial institutions are in conflict. This introduces a conundrum; when all hanging points are removed from correctional facilities, prisoners without mental disorder, but with a sustained wish to die, will not be able to achieve that end, while non-prisoners will be well able to do so.