Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by blowski 4327 days ago
> And there is no algorithm that can detect suicidal feelings.

I get what you're saying, but given the miracles that do exist in modern medicine, I'm not prepared to say it's impossible. I suspect better availability of mental healthcare, preferring counselling over drugs, and less stigmatising would all be better 'solutions' than an algorithm, but if an algorithm did exist that could genuinely help then it would be a good thing.
1 comments
mkal_tsr 4327 days ago
You did not address the first part of his comment,

> You think it would be wonderful because of the way that you felt, not the way your friend felt.

Why not?

link
blowski 4327 days ago
Not a conversation that I think is particularly relevant to HN, nor possible to have effectively online.

But, in short, I genuinely believe that, though my friend's despair at the moment she took her life was very real, she could and would have got through that despair. Her suicide had a huge impact on those around her, especially her parents, and it would have been better both for her and those around her if she had been helped through the despair instead of just ending it.

link