Last night I happened to scroll past an attack on Fiona Patten MP on Facebook. Hundreds seemed to be yelling at her at once about how many more people are dying from suicide than Covid. Because I live with this risk, I read a bit. It seemed to be a large white mob, all very angry at Fiona for supporting extended restrictions.
And so many of them threw the massive suicide costs of lockdown on the table.
Today I read in The Guardian that there has not been an increase in suicide deaths in Victoria during lock down.
There have actually been 2 less deaths from this terrible burden this year at this period than last.
This is the first real bit of data we’ve seen to challenge the myth that lots of us are in danger due to social distancing measures.
I had noticed a pattern of people using this risk to argue against lockdown, many of whom have never mentioned the S word previously. I have suspected some who don’t live with this risk are trying to use it as emotional blackmail to argue against maintaining restrictions. Scott Morrison (ScoMo) is probably the clearest example of linking these factors together.
Yes, the risks of suicidal ideation increase during stressful times but a lot of people who live with ongoing suicidal ideation are much more resilient than you might think.
Please don’t use an increased fear for people living with the risk of suicide to add weight to your arguments. If you are against health restrictions, say that. Stop using us as emotional blackmail.
Angela J Williams 