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Arguably the most accomplished athlete ever, Michael Phelps, has struggled with these same issues [0]. Today he is more upfront about his suicidal issues and wh

Arguably the most accomplished athlete ever, Michael Phelps, has struggled with these same issues [0]. Today he is more upfront about his suicidal issues and what strategies he uses to help with his mental health. Such issues are incredibly personal, but there does seem to be some correlations with 'Black Swan' people (per the Natalie Portman movie) and later term mental health. [0] https://www.menshealth.com/health/a24268441/michael-phelps-depression/ https://www.menshealth.com/health/a24268441/michael-phelps-d... If you need someone to talk with please call: 1-800-273-8255. Alternatively, I'd love to talk with you (the reader of this sentence) as well, Hacker to Hacker.

jniedrauer 8y ago
I know that posting suicide hotline numbers seems like the right thing to do, but it's generally not helpful. People who call these numbers run the real risk of being detained against their will for extended periods of time while running up large hospital bills, when they just needed someone to talk to. Then there's the lack of statistical evidence that suicide hotline numbers actually prevent suicides in the long run.
- e12e 8y ago
  > lack of statistical evidence that suicide hotline numbers actually prevent suicides in the long run. I'm not sure if you say what you mean; but that's not really their purpose as I understand it? Prevent a suicide today, open the door to treatment tomorrow - vs failing to prevent a suicide today, and there being no option for treatment tomorrow?
  - DanBC 8y ago
    There's not much evidence that suicide hotlines prevent a death by suicide today thus opening the door to treatment tomorrow. There's even a suggestion that suicide helplines might normalise suicide, or make it more real. https://twitter.com/ProfLAppleby/status/1110821429443026946 https://twitter.com/ProfLAppleby/status/1110821429443026946
    - e12e 8y ago
      That's much more relevant criticism.
- scrumper 8y ago
  > people who call these numbers run the real risk of being detained against their will for extended periods of time while running up large hospital bills Source please?

jniedrauer 8y ago

I know that posting suicide hotline numbers seems like the right thing to do, but it's generally not helpful. People who call these numbers run the real risk of being detained against their will for extended periods of time while running up large hospital bills, when they just needed someone to talk to. Then there's the lack of statistical evidence that suicide hotline numbers actually prevent suicides in the long run.

e12e 8y ago
> lack of statistical evidence that suicide hotline numbers actually prevent suicides in the long run. I'm not sure if you say what you mean; but that's not really their purpose as I understand it? Prevent a suicide today, open the door to treatment tomorrow - vs failing to prevent a suicide today, and there being no option for treatment tomorrow?
- DanBC 8y ago
  There's not much evidence that suicide hotlines prevent a death by suicide today thus opening the door to treatment tomorrow. There's even a suggestion that suicide helplines might normalise suicide, or make it more real. https://twitter.com/ProfLAppleby/status/1110821429443026946 https://twitter.com/ProfLAppleby/status/1110821429443026946
  - e12e 8y ago
    That's much more relevant criticism.
scrumper 8y ago
> people who call these numbers run the real risk of being detained against their will for extended periods of time while running up large hospital bills Source please?