Venting Wellness checks as systematic persecution of suicidal people.

[SilentSadness]

I've noticed that the wellness/welfare checks taking place are currently on the rise and apparently not limited to the UK, so I'd like to vent about how these checks are a systematic persecution of suicidal people and how they are causing a massive amount of damage. First of all, they are completely backwards in general, because sending police to someone's house is never going to make them feel better about themselves. It just sows anxiety and terror. In many cases, the person lives with family members who either don't know about their ctb thoughts or have boundaries in what they do and don't know, and these wellness checks completely disregard these boundaries and blow all privacy out of the window. It's as obnoxious as sending police to someone's family and telling them that the person has vented about their family online and if they know anything about it. Secondly, wellness checks are a total slap in the face to suicidal people who desire health services, because in a time of underfunded and poorly managed public health services, the police and ambulances can only show that their priorities are in hurting those who don't want to be helped. Let's not forget that SN, buying SN, being suicidal and even committing suicide are all legal, so there is no direct role for the police to step in. The fact that the police are stepping in at all is direct overreach and an example of the law being just words. But if they really just wanted to ask if someone was okay, why couldn't they just send them an email? I can answer that right away, the reason is because they want to terrorise people into submission rather than actually trying to help them. This is why I refer to welfare checks as systematic persecution, because the goal of them is to inflict terror on suicidal people. They know nothing illegal has happened, and no one wants them to step in, but they're involving themselves anyway, and that is a total dereliction of duty.

 

[angelalexandra]

the idea of cops just rocking up at the door of my abusive household terrified me, the only thing that would come out of a wellness check for me would have been being berated by family for being "selfish". Id almost be ok with the idea of a wellness check if it could somehow be done more discretely, and if it was always paramedics that showed up, not cops (i think here sometimes paramedics get sent, but cops can show up too and id infinitely prefer the former to the latter.) maybe this is just coming from the perspective of someone whos tried and failed to get help in the past, but id almost appreciate a paramedic showing up with some prior warning just to check that im ok-ish. i feel like a paramedic would be way better to deal with than a cop.

 

[Dot]

Slf thght tht polcies wre b-ing mde fr mentl helth tms 2 b dspatchd insted of polce

Am nt sre whthr enuf skilld ppl wre availble 2 mke tht polcy happn tho

 

[Forever Sleep]

I agree that it's deeply unpleasant and intrusive. However, I suspect they're also frightened about backlash from angry relatives if people do suicide. I doubt many people's families would actually be ok with them taking their own lives. Especially if they are young.

If it comes to light that the authorities knew that multiple people were purchasing SN with the intent to use it for suicide- which they clearly do know- I suspect they feel as if they have to act so that they don't get lynched by angry, grieving parents after it's too late. Imagine the news stories if it comes out they knew and did nothing.

There's so much anger towards police and the government, which I do understand but truthfully- I suspect they're only doing what the majority of the population wants. Including our families and parents. It's unfortunate but, we're up against much broader opposition than only the authorities.

Until everyone's perception of suicide changes and parents become so open minded that they are supportive in letting their children die, I suspect we'll always experience opposition and restrictions.

 

[LostLily]

True, it's my life. And it my decision on how live it and end it.

 

[SilentSadness]

Slf thght tht polcies wre b-ing mde fr mentl helth tms 2 b dspatchd insted of polce

Am nt sre whthr enuf skilld ppl wre availble 2 mke tht polcy happn tho

It makes no difference honestly, they are actively causing harm either way and are completely unhelpful to suicidal people. But they are sending police in order to inflict terror in my opinion.

There's so much anger towards police and the government, which I do understand but truthfully- I suspect they're only doing what the majority of the population wants. Including our families and parents. It's unfortunate but, we're up against much broader opposition than only the authorities.

People pleasing is just pointless for them because they are only making everyone upset. This has really made me hate the police when I didn't think that much before.

 

[Forever Sleep]

It makes no difference honestly, they are actively causing harm either way and are completely unhelpful to suicidal people. But they are sending police in order to inflict terror in my opinion.

People pleasing is just pointless for them because they are only making everyone upset. This has really made me hate the police when I didn't think that much before.

I think a lot depends on how they handle the situation. I'm sure some are more sensitive and diplomatic than others. My check years ago actually went as well as it could have under the circumstances.

The police officers turned out to be much kinder than the 'helpline' they put me in touch with! One officer even said I could call them if I was feeling like that. I thought that was lovely. Impractical I'm sure for them but- genuinely kind. I'm sorry if you had a bad experience or have only read about bad experiences but- they're not all like that.

I also think that 'upsetting everyone' isn't exactly accurate. That feeds in to my original post I'm afraid. Which would parents prefer do you think? A welfair check which is embarassing of course or, a knock at the door to be informed that their child has been discovered dead? I'd hazzard a guess that parents especially are in favour of these checks.

As to whether they will be effective though. That's more a roll of the dice. Some people they will determine high risk and they will be taken off to psyche wards. Whether they help or not seems to vary. These checks may prevent some suicides. They may provoke some too though or, force people into considering more brutal methods. Or, they may make no difference at all. The officers left me with my SN. I'm not impulsive. I've had it for two years now. I'm waiting for the right time.

While I don't like it either- given where we are- where assisting a suicide- eg. selling lethal means to accomplish it isn't regulated- I don't see how they have much choice. How can they tell if the person who has been reported for ordering it, is of sound mind or even whether they are a minor from a name and address? They can maybe ascertain age but, not mental state. Some members here will also already be on the radar for previous (possibly impulsive) attempts.

If they do nothing and people do suicide- do you really think there wouldn't be an investigation or backlash by the public? I think it's definitely fair to criticize the manner of the worst checks themselves and, the 'support' (if any) that comes after. Still- in my opinion, whilst assisted suicide isn't legalized or regulated, I expect these checks are inevitable.

It's the equivalent of saying- officers should just let anyone dangling off a bridge jump. Obviously they won't. They could be under the influence, they could be psychotic. They've certainly not thought it through well if they're doing it when they're likely to be caught.

Where I definitely agree though is how they conduct the check. There's no need for aggression or intimidation. That sadly seems to rely on who you get. I think it also depends on how you present though. They obviously will be more concerned about someone who seems like they may imminently do it and if they don't appear to be thinking rationally. I also think overly defensive behaviour probably leaves them with an unanswered case. So much now feels like a box tocking exercise. They need to make sure they won't be held liable so, they need to be reassured that a person is safe enough to leave.

Of course, the ideal would be to legalize assisted dying and regulate it for all sound minded adults. Then, it wouldn't need to be so cloak and dagger.

 

[RosieRed71]

It's weird because last year I worked for the police as an emergency call handler. They introduced an new policy - Right Care, Right Person. The premise was that a person in mental health distress, or an elderly person who had a fall, might be caused more distress if a police officer turned up. So if someone made a call for a welfare check, usually the most appropriate person to visit would be a paramedic. Plus the Police have limited powers of entry - to protect life and limb.

These new, so called welfare checks, seem to fly in the face of this policy. However, you do not have to let the police in, do not have to make any admission of having SN or hand anything over.

I've noticed that the wellness/welfare checks taking place are currently on the rise and apparently not limited to the UK, so I'd like to vent about how these checks are a systematic persecution of suicidal people and how they are causing a massive amount of damage. First of all, they are completely backwards in general, because sending police to someone's house is never going to make them feel better about themselves. It just sows anxiety and terror. In many cases, the person lives with family members who either don't know about their ctb thoughts or have boundaries in what they do and don't know, and these wellness checks completely disregard these boundaries and blow all privacy out of the window. It's as obnoxious as sending police to someone's family and telling them that the person has vented about their family online and if they know anything about it. Secondly, wellness checks are a total slap in the face to suicidal people who desire health services, because in a time of underfunded and poorly managed public health services, the police and ambulances can only show that their priorities are in hurting those who don't want to be helped. Let's not forget that SN, buying SN, being suicidal and even committing suicide are all legal, so there is no direct role for the police to step in. The fact that the police are stepping in at all is direct overreach and an example of the law being just words. But if they really just wanted to ask if someone was okay, why couldn't they just send them an email? I can answer that right away, the reason is because they want to terrorise people into submission rather than actually trying to help them. This is why I refer to welfare checks as systematic persecution, because the goal of them is to inflict terror on suicidal people. They know nothing illegal has happened, and no one wants them to step in, but they're involving themselves anyway, and that is a total dereliction of duty.