Originally Posted by Mark W  Non sufferers odd attitudes is another interesting perspective too. |
That's the one I'd want to see developed, that I can see as a 'hook'.
Here's my perspective.
I figure all of us suffer from depression, it's about degrees. Whether that be a biological thing, or a consequence of psychological influences, is not the issue. The biggy for me is that I detect many people who don't suffer outwardly from it use avoidance as a defence, a tool where bliss is ignorance, even meeting such things with a 'Darwin got it right concept', which might sound appalling on the surface, but look beneath it and there's more to be found. COntroversial I know, but think out of the box.
A very good friend of mine is in this area, a product of an oppressive father who removed any iota of self esteem this guy might have had. And through my relationship with him some things come to light you might not think of as a non sufferer.
An example.
My friend is into a sport, one where it can be a solitary activity, which is good for him as competitive situations are a source of concern. It would, and has been, natrual for his circle of friends to say. ''let's pop up to see 'Fred' and take him out of it for a weekend' So a few of us pile up to his place, and go and visit the nearby sites to join him in this activity.
Now what we see as a chance to 'cheer him up' is actually a route to a bout of depression for him. The problem being that when we are gone, and his life returns to what it was, he'll most likely be worse off than before we visited him, as the occasion exposes him to people who are managing things, some with lesser quality lives than his, and this all sets off his brain into full on negativity about his situation.
Now that might seem simple enough, but how many people who are non sufferers ever considered such a thing. I didn't, I thought at first that I was being a nice boy and helping the guy out, when in fact maintenance of his stability is the best way to act as a friend. Unpredictability is not nice for him, if the days ahead are forseeable then he steps up a bit, if there is an unknown, such as the visiting of friends and what they might bring, then it's something of a challenge for him. Of course we know him and he knows us, so it's cool, but it's surprising how fatiguing being in the presence of a chap like this can be, and many folk come and go through not being able to absorb this bit about being stable and shy away when they can't provide answers to his concerns. I'm not suggesting I can, but I can at least understand what drives these issues.
So, for me, if you make a program 'about depression and suicidal tendancies' I'll not feel compelled to watch it. Whereas if the main angle was how 'ordinary' people contribute unwittingly to their demise, then you may have my attention.
Just my view. BTW I've been depressed enough to consider suicide fleetingly, but that was due to a physical illness, which when overcome saw the depression go with it. Whilst I'm not suggesting that qualifies me in any way, I would say that people might be surprised to know that it doesn't take all that much for an instinct for survival to disapear, and that the concept of ending your life can be the lesser of two evils.
Help with questions for a Doco on Teenage Suicide? 
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