Why do people think that people who attempt suicide and fail/call 9-1-1 on themselves just want attention?

Question

What if they cal 9-1-1 because they realize they made a horrible mistake? Seriously why do people think that? If you think it, why?

Answer 1

Because they aren't or haven't been in a similar position. It's one of those you have to be there things. I would never think that because of being in similar situations. Other people are just unwilling to see it for what it is. Not all, but a large portion. I've never called 911 but have gone to the er before. Everyone has opinions they just can't speak from personal experience, which can make a huge difference in many cases, not just this one.

Answer 2

You know what...they realize that they do want to live. They don't want their lives to end. You are right, they realized they made a mistake.

People think this because they don't know the first thing about depression and suicide. Those who have never experienced it (whether it's personal experience or a family member's/friend's experience) will not understand, no matter how much they claim they do get it.

Answer 3

I tend to think that those people (those who call suicidal people attention seekers) have never had a serious mental crisis, and they just don't understand mental instability and a change of heart.  It's pretty callous, to be honest.

Of course, there are some who DO just want attention.  But that's still a mental issue that shouldn't be dealt with so flippantly and indifferently.

Answer 4

People in this world are mean.  And many people do not understand mental illness.

And you are correct, many people that attempt suicide quickly recognize they have made a mistake and that they do not want to die.  However, the people who attempt suicide are in serious pain and they need help.

People do not understand this.  And if they have never experienced mental illness or mental pain, they simply can't grasp why a person woould do this.  Also, they might fear it because they do not understand it.

People fear and jest what they do not understand.

Don't listen to them.  Work on healing yourself and making you stronger.  Your true friends will stick by you through thick or thin.

Answer 5

i don't think they're attention seekers, i see it as more of a call for help. by attempting it they are shouting that they can't cope and need help. they don't want to die they just want someone to realise they need help and are desperate. my sister has tried a coupe of times and i was furious with her, my brother called her an attention seeker but that's just because he didn't understand. she wanted help and it was the only way she could get it, do something that would grab peoples attention and hopefully they would her. i don't share this opinion but some people may feel that if you're trying to kill yourself and want to succeed why at the last moment have a moment of clarity and ring for help instead of completely going through with it to which point i give them my afore mentioned argument.

Answer 6

People can be very judgemental of others.  It takes life experiences and time to develop empathy and sympathy.  Some people have never experienced depression, so they cannot understand why a person would do such a thing.  These people cannot apply a situation in their life and use it to have compassion.  It is an unfortunate shortcomming of others.