Freedom of speech...including suicide assistance?

Interesting post from Dr. David Neubaurer about a teenager who got advice from an online forum about the sure-fire way to successfully commit suicide.

The question: is this simply the exercise of free speech, as one of his commenters suggests?

Or does this fall appropriately into the list of the numerous ways speech isn't really free. (Shouting "fire" in a crowded movie theatre being the shop-worn example.)

This reminds me of the pro-anoerxia forums that Shrinkette has mentioned several times on her blog.

It's one thing to position these groups as "support" groups that show sufferers they are not alone and all. But the implication in someone needing support and to know they are not alone is that indeed they have a problem or condition. As soon as these groups or forums start advising someone on how to perpetuate their condition, or exacerbate it...then how exactly are they delivering on the "support" they claim to be offering?

All that being said: what would I do about it? Very little probably. I mean that I don't like the idea of government monitoring or controlling online groups, and I can't really see a way that you would be able to otherwise prevent determined people from finding information such as this online.

Even when you're talking about monitoring online chatter about violence, for example, don't they have to wait until someone actually makes a move to do something before authorities can actually move in and shut them down? ("Doing" something can include buying materials, for instance.) When does such talk become no longer cheap and become something actionable?

Comments

[Marilyn]

My belief is that it's the right of the individual to commit suicide if she so chooses. It appears from the way that post is written that the online group didn't encourage her actions, only confirmed a method...and if they hadn't confirmed it, a few Google hits would have.

[Elisa Camahort]

I am certain I believe in suicide and assisted suicide for those who are physically ill. I have trouble feeling so certain about people who aren't...simply because there are usually so many other people it impacts.

Would you help the parent of 2 small children, for example, commit suicide? I can't imagine doing so.

[David Harmon]

Despite being a depressive myself, I still think this comes under individual responsibility for the "speaker" -- but that doesn't mean I can't judge that speech. The most important facts about depression w.r.t. suicide are:

(1) Depression is eminently treatable, and usually temporary. Even chronic depressions tend to be episodic.

(2) Someone in the midst of a depressive episode is non compos mentis, with impaired judgement.

Most depressives get some protection from their suicidal tendencies, via lethargy and indecision. If they are nevertheless capable of "going through with it" on their own, there's not much a bystander can do to stop them. To assist or encourage them, however, is to ally yourself with insanity, and I call that evil.

[Elisa Camahort]

Thank you for your comment. I tend to agree with you.