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The One Who · 06-08-2010, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fragile as glass

People in Africa do have some choices. They choose to have more children and therefore create less food to go around (and dont go on about lack of contraception)

I feel this is much less to do with Africa and more to do with the bigoted views of some people in western world. This should not be made into a comparison against two completely different countries with different values, beliefs and conditions. Thats my two penny worth.

You cannot say people are bigoted, judgemental and prejudiced and then say that. There are a multitude of reasons why people in Africa have larger families, most to do with survival rates for all involved. The infant mortality rate is high (not just because of lack of food) and they need children to work in order to look after the family both in terms of material goods and in actual care-giving. It is a completely different societal structure to what we have in the global north.

Some food and clean water will not solve Africa's (or South East Asia's or South America's) many, many problems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hierophant

Mental Illness seems to be only prevalent in developed countries, I'm sure there may be people in Third World countries that suffer from Schizophrenia, but I doubt there are many who self harm,

I have to say I agree more with The Independent Article, Self Harm seems to be a developed country problem, whereas people in Sri Lanka seem to be more intent on killing themselves.

I don't see Self Harm as a problem, with, what one in ten doing it, I don't see it has anything completely terrible, mental illness yes, but self harm does not equate to mental illness, there are many people that hurt themselves that may be emotionally damaged or psychologically wonky but they are not mentally ill. That frustrates me more than anything.

I'd be interested in examining this more, why is it that people in developed countries hurt themselves more than others? Is it possibly because we have more time on our hands? We live in an economy that despite the recession of recent years, is a luxury, even when I've got barely any money, I can still get a loaf of bread & soup for myself, which many people in third world countries can't, I also have the time to look inward at myself though too, I am normally the 'well-est' when I am busy, I am flitting between uni & work & the garden, the cats, other projects. When I am sat around doing nothing I become ill, I am sure I'm not the only one, I have too much time to think which leads to a downward spiral.

From what little I know of the Sri Lankan case, the young men were not trying to kill themselves, or at least did not express a desire to die. It was self-harm, rather than failed suicide. Although we cannot know what they were actually thinking at the time.

I'm unsure whether or not people in the global north really do hurt themselves more than those elsewhere. If we say that they do, that those in the south are less likely to self-harm then it could be because their lives are more revolving around survival than ours. That they simply cannot afford to. Or it might be that in a more collectivist society than ours people are happier to help and care for those around them. Or maybe that they don't understand mental illness and outcast those with it, forcing them out of the society and away from any help.

I do think a lot of people need to take stock and really think, perhaps more so for suicide than for self-harm. I'm not saying we should compare our lives to others, but just try to get some perspective on things. Ask is it really worth it.

06-08-2010, 01:52 PM	#32
The One Who Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Somewhere I am currently:	Quote: Originally Posted by fragile as glass People in Africa do have some choices. They choose to have more children and therefore create less food to go around (and dont go on about lack of contraception) I feel this is much less to do with Africa and more to do with the bigoted views of some people in western world. This should not be made into a comparison against two completely different countries with different values, beliefs and conditions. Thats my two penny worth. You cannot say people are bigoted, judgemental and prejudiced and then say that. There are a multitude of reasons why people in Africa have larger families, most to do with survival rates for all involved. The infant mortality rate is high (not just because of lack of food) and they need children to work in order to look after the family both in terms of material goods and in actual care-giving. It is a completely different societal structure to what we have in the global north. Some food and clean water will not solve Africa's (or South East Asia's or South America's) many, many problems. Quote: Originally Posted by The Hierophant Mental Illness seems to be only prevalent in developed countries, I'm sure there may be people in Third World countries that suffer from Schizophrenia, but I doubt there are many who self harm, I have to say I agree more with The Independent Article, Self Harm seems to be a developed country problem, whereas people in Sri Lanka seem to be more intent on killing themselves. I don't see Self Harm as a problem, with, what one in ten doing it, I don't see it has anything completely terrible, mental illness yes, but self harm does not equate to mental illness, there are many people that hurt themselves that may be emotionally damaged or psychologically wonky but they are not mentally ill. That frustrates me more than anything. I'd be interested in examining this more, why is it that people in developed countries hurt themselves more than others? Is it possibly because we have more time on our hands? We live in an economy that despite the recession of recent years, is a luxury, even when I've got barely any money, I can still get a loaf of bread & soup for myself, which many people in third world countries can't, I also have the time to look inward at myself though too, I am normally the 'well-est' when I am busy, I am flitting between uni & work & the garden, the cats, other projects. When I am sat around doing nothing I become ill, I am sure I'm not the only one, I have too much time to think which leads to a downward spiral. From what little I know of the Sri Lankan case, the young men were not trying to kill themselves, or at least did not express a desire to die. It was self-harm, rather than failed suicide. Although we cannot know what they were actually thinking at the time. I'm unsure whether or not people in the global north really do hurt themselves more than those elsewhere. If we say that they do, that those in the south are less likely to self-harm then it could be because their lives are more revolving around survival than ours. That they simply cannot afford to. Or it might be that in a more collectivist society than ours people are happier to help and care for those around them. Or maybe that they don't understand mental illness and outcast those with it, forcing them out of the society and away from any help. I do think a lot of people need to take stock and really think, perhaps more so for suicide than for self-harm. I'm not saying we should compare our lives to others, but just try to get some perspective on things. Ask is it really worth it. Last edited by The One Who : 06-08-2010 at 02:01 PM.