Are you going to intervene seeing someone attempting suicide?
By bingskee
@bingskee (5234)
Philippines
September 15, 2011 12:47am CST
In the news, a woman attempted suicide with a gun after shooting her husband in a parking lot of a mall in one of the cities in Metro Manila. A security guard was killed who tried to stop the woman.
I cringed hearing the news. Why is it always that those who wanted to help these people attempting suicide are the ones hurt or killed? They were just there as witnesses, and with conviction tried to help, but were the ones greatly affected.
That is why I will definitely have second thoughts intervening with these people whose mental states are problematic. I will probably not intervene.
5 responses
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
15 Sep 11
Perhaps it is an instinct to just try to intervene. It would be difficult to watch someone harm themselves to begin with. But I think it might also depend on the circumstancees. I would probably try to help them - but not to the point of them hurting me or others.
@bingskee (5234)
• Philippines
15 Sep 11
i know what you mean, mcdingolinger. as to my personal experiences, i always have that instinct to help. but these days, it really make me scared to even think of doing something.
but someone from the company where i work, and who had experience as security guard, said that in such situations, one has to be alert and ready, and not be overcome by fear. it is quite an eye opener, giving hope that there is hope in every situation like that. it can be that the guard that was killed was not ready and was overcome by fear and apprehension, or maybe it is already his time, we cant tell.
1 person likes this
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
15 Sep 11
That is a hard decision for sure. My tendency would be to intervene, but in thinking rationallly that isn't always the best way to go. Morally I think we all feel obligated but that certainly puts us in harms way.
I don't know what I would do, but I understand you reasoning.
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
16 Sep 11
I have worked as a paramedic for quite a time. 13 years to be exact. Saving a person's life is somehow normal for me and a way of life. Even now that I have a different kind of work, U guess, facing such situation I will obviously intervene and try to save that person. Not all people helping someone are hurt or get killed. I know that there are risk, but that is something that I have to face and find a way so as to succeed without getting hurt. After all, life is important and for every life we save, that is something that can never be paid by money or material things.
i guess, your job and that of the guard requires you to do service selfishly. i believe, too, that with that kind of job, one should have the proper training, and the right attitude. 
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
15 Sep 11
To be honest, i won't too. I have my husband and son to think of. They are my priority. Call me selfish, but i don't want my son to lose his mom at a very young age.
