Debt related suicide

A question about : Debt related suicide

Hello,

Don't worry, I'm not planning on using this as a method of solving my problems but it DID occur to me that, had I not had my parents to:
a) help bail me out
b) to think of if I did anything stupid,
that I may have been tempted, when things were at their worst.

The doom and gloom that's out there also doesn't help, re: house prices, mortgages rates going up, no pensions until you're 479 years old...does anyone else think the only solution is a bullet to the head or a lottery win (preferably the latter).

Don't know why I'm rambling like this or the point of this. Just wondered if I was alone.

Kirsten
(Ps have a look at my diary and send me some encouragement!)
Please.
thank you.

Best answers:

• Having a little look at Martin's guide to Debt and Mental Health.
  Makes sense.
  I have often bought loads of stuff in an attempt to cheer myself up or when I've been on a manic type phase.
• Hi Op,
  Glad to hear you're not contemplating...
  Whenever I feel depressed I look in the mirror and have a giggle, honest I'm turning into Tommy Cooper
  On a serious note, it's easy to sink. But sometimes all you need is somewhere to voice your mind and have completely random people (not the scumbag type you get on some juvenile chat rooms) communicate with you to help you realise it's a big world and lots of people care - even strangers! You might not know it if you met them in the street but people are generally nice and having the support of someone, anyone, especially those in a similar position is important.
  Well, that's my thoughts anyway...
  MB of G x
• Coming from a person with a relative that has attempted it twice it is the cruellest thing you can do to those around you. I have extremely strong feelings regarding suicide, it solves NOTHING. It casts a very long shadow. It's over a decade since I found my relative after his second attempt and I still can't forget. Had he been successful we'd have still had to deal with the debt (at the same time as everything else) DCAs don't just go away, they still want their pound of flesh from the estate, it was bad enough fending them off when he was on life support, never mind trying to do that whilst dealing with grief. As things stand he now can't get life or health insurance, certain jobs are out of the question and any children in the future will be visited by social services (so I'm told).
  Now, I've had my angry statement I can tell you I actually do understand why people see it as a solution. In the panic of the moment where you can see straight I can see why but I can never agree.
  There's always another day and another solution. There is also always someone to care even if it's "just" the samaritans - there's someone out there to listen and help. It's a very sad irony that debt is such a taboo that when people reach the point where they think this is the only solution they don't know that those around them are potentially up to their neck in it too.
  No life is so bad financially that it's worth dying. I know it's a clich! but none of us know what tomorrow brings. We need to educate people that debt isn't a crime and that there is always a way to solve it. I always feel a little angry/sad for those that say they've lost everything when what they mean is they've lost everything material.
  Like everyone else I have my bad days, I beat myself up for the mess I'm in but I try to quickly pull myself up. There is ALWAYS someone worse off than me. I'm incredibly lucky to have the things (physical, emotional and intangible) that I do have. I believe we're here for a reason and by taking our own lives we may not achieve that purpose - tomorrow could be the day that we save someone else. That single thought is enough to keep me plodding through the worst of days.
  Kate x
• Hello. I think it's something many people think of when there seems like no way out. Thankfully many people find help and support. All things pass and there is always a way out, even if it doesn't feel like it.
  It's worth posting this here I think in case anyone is in need of help. Confidential, non judgemental help on the phone, by email, text or in person.
  https://www.samaritans.org/
• Picking up on your comment about having "a manic type phase".
  If you feel that you have manic phases outside the "normal" range of mood please go and see your doctor.
  All the best.
• I think suicidal thoughts when you have debt problems could be more common than in the general population. I think, and hope, that debt-related suicide would be incredibly rare.
  First port of call is the gp, if anyone is having such thoughts. Having been through a recession, they will have seen a lot of cases.
  Then it's the mh and debt guide and some of the posts/threads on the debt free wannabe board.You will get help there. There is always something that can be done to make like more bearable.
• I've tried several times to do away with myself largely over debt problems. But Kate_fixing_it has the right suggestion.
  It is SO difficult; but these days when (like now) things seem very tough, I try and remember how lucky I am to have what I do have. My little Housing Association place, my dog... so many don't have these blessings.
  There's no easy solution however; everyone's situation is different. But I do my best to think about what I have, rather than what I don't have...
  There are good resources out there as well these days; the MSE debt and mental health guide, The Samaritans, etc... also https://www.mind.org.uk/ has been incredibly helpful to me in past troubles.
  With very best wishes. x
• I would imagine a fair few people do ;(
  I know of one local man who did take his life over debt, he had left a note for his family.
  It wasn`t a large amount in comparison to some either which is awfully sad.
  At lot of people are unaware of the help available ie the national debtline and the other available debt charities.
  Having support really is a must, I`d imagine if someone had noone to turn too, and couldn't bring themselves to talk to the right people regarding their debts it could be a very lonely place.
• Yes I have thought about too at times so you are not alone although never seriously. I have some large life insurance policies which through the difficult times I have continued to pay and often think if they were cashed in then debts would go and my family would financially be in a great position, much better than now with me around. Of course I know it would be devastating to those around me, especially my children, so it just remains something that occasional pops into my head.
• Again - just think it's worth posting this link:
  https://www.samaritans.org/
  08457 90 90 90
  jo@samaritans.org
  Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, Chris, PO Box 90 90, Stirling, FK8 2SA
  You can find your local branch from their website
  Being in debt is not a crime. Don't give the money lenders your mental health. Save it for the people you love.
  We all have secrets in life, and that's just how things are but when things are really bad, we need to let someone else help us until the crisis passes.
• Hello there,
  As I'm sure you can all imagine, we often speak to people that are incredibly desperate/frightened/low/depressed about their debt situation. Severe debt can affect different people in different ways. As I've mentioned on a couple of other threads, the key reason I work here is because I fell into a very difficult situation financially when I was younger. It was absolutely the most frightening time of my life. Do excuse the irony, but I really wish I knew about National Debtline or Stepchange at the time. I still owe money to this very day - but it's being managed. But I will never forget how bleak life felt when it wasn't being managed.
  Over the years I have spoken to around 20,000 people, and for every single one of them there has been a way forward. A solution that will allow them to become debt-free at some point in the future. For some, this could mean a formal insolvency-based solution such as Bankruptcy or a Debt Relief Order. For others it may be an arrangement where they make lower, more affordable payments. Some of our callers are happy to pay a token payment of Ј1 per month on their debts indefinitely although that's not generally recommended.
  I cannot agree any more that reaching out is absolutely the thing to do in a situation like this. There is as much help and support on hand that you need. For many people, it's simply the fear of the unknown that concerns them - and this fear can escalate and snowball quickly. It's often not helped by overly agreessive creditors and their constant demands - but there are ways to put a stop to that quickly. We're not here to be judgemental, we often don't need a great deal of historic information about someone's circumstances. We're more interested in what debts people have, how much they owe and what their current situation is. With that information we can work together to plan the best route forward. There is nothing more important than impartial, holistic, objective advice and support. Nothing. That's what we, and our good friends at the other charities such as Stepchange and the CAB do.
  I would be lying if I said that hearing people really upset and crying on the phone doesn't get to me, because it does. Even though I've heard many stories about rude collections agencies, threatening bailiffs and unreasonable mortgage lenders over the years, I still often feel quite shocked about the behaviour which is being directed at vulnerable people. As already highlighted, there is a direct correlation between debt and mental health. The best part of my job, though, is being able to witness someone turn a corner - and often within a 45 minute telephone call. This may come across as a bit of a cliched statement, but it's true - You can often hear in someone's voice that the weight is being lifted off their shoulders.
  I love the internet as places like this very forum can offer 24/7 help and support from people who are in a very similar situation. They know what it's like too. There is strength in numbers, that's for sure.
  I just hope that if there is anyone who feels like there isn't a solution to their situation seeks help and support. I can assure you, there is *always* a solution to get debts under control.
  Best wishes,
  David @ National Debtline.
• Just to echo the above, and what martin says about debt, he has yet to see a case that cant be solved, in the end, its only money, and they cant have what you haven't got, once this realisation sets in, you realise that a lot of the threats and intimidation, are just hot air.
  Even if you are taken to court, they wont make you pay more than you can afford to pay, even Bankruptcy, which once had such a stigma attached to it, doesn't always have the consequences it once had, I know been in debt can be a real drag, and gets you down, creditors pestering you 24/7, but with a little knowledge and help, it can all be managed, its a combination of ignorance of your rights, and doing nothing to help yourself that creates problems, to be honest, there is plenty of help out there, all you need to do is ask.
• You only have one life, and it's certainly not worth losing over a concept built by society.
  I often wonder if we'd be happier as cave men.
  My cave, your cave. Simples.