Category Archives: suicide

John Kelly: Movies Can Send A Dangerous Message About Suicide and Disability

October 14, 2016better dead than disabled, john kelly, Me Before You, Our News & Commentary Blog, suicide, suicide preventionbetter dead than disabled, John Kelly, Me Before You, suicide preventionDiane Coleman

As we have been covering since spring, here, here, here and here, disability rights advocates around the country, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand held protests against the movie “Me Before You” for its hateful message that some disabled people are better off dead. John shares the same disability as the fictional Will in the movie, … Continue reading John Kelly: Movies Can Send A Dangerous Message About Suicide and Disability →

Robin Williams and the Hypocrisy of Suicide Prevention Organizations

August 24, 2014american foundation for suicide prevention, assisted suicide, International Association of Suicide Prevention, Our News & Commentary Blog, suicide, suicide preventionAmerican Association for Suicide Prevention, American Association of Suicidology, assisted suicide, Final Exit Network, International Association of Suicide Prevention, Robin Williams, suicide, suicide preventionStephen Drake

The sudden emergence of suicide prevention organizations and their representatives in the media responding to the death of Robin Williams has been mind-blowingly outrageous to me – I track the suicide coverage – assisted and non-assisted – of old, ill and disabled people regularly. It’s part of my job. A near-constant in reading and watching … Continue reading Robin Williams and the Hypocrisy of Suicide Prevention Organizations →

Minnesota Supreme Court Rules Online Suicide Predator Melchert-Dinkel Protected by First Amendment

March 21, 2014court cases, court decisions, Our News & Commentary Blog, suicideFinal Exit Network, Melchert-Dinkel, Minnesota Supreme Court, suicideStephen Drake

Yesterday, March 19th, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a decision that affects two cases in Minnesota. From the Christian Science Monitor: The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday reversed the convictions of a former nurse accused of encouraging two people whom he met online to kill themselves. The court ruled that the language in the state’s … Continue reading Minnesota Supreme Court Rules Online Suicide Predator Melchert-Dinkel Protected by First Amendment →

Response to NYT Front Page Public Relations “Article” Promoting Assisted Suicide

February 12, 2014assisted suicide, Compassion & Choices, media, New York Times, suicideaid in dying, assisted suicide, death with dignity, Erick Eckholm, media coverage, media issues, New York Times, propaganda, terminologyStephen Drake

(Editor’s note: The following is a revised version of an op-ed I drafted in response to the front page story published in the New York Times on February 8. ‘Aid in Dying’ Movement Takes Hold in Some States was written by reporter Erick Eckholm. We’ve been informed that that the Times isn’t considering any op-eds … Continue reading Response to NYT Front Page Public Relations “Article” Promoting Assisted Suicide →

Arizona Daily Star: Derek Humphry and Columnist Push “New Frontier” on Assisted Suicide

November 4, 2013Arizona, assisted suicide, Derek Humphry, final exit network, george exoo, media coverage, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, suicide, suicide preventionArizona, assisted suicide, Derek Humphry, Final Exit Network, George Exoo, Jana Van Voorhis, media issues, suicide, suicide prevention, Tim StellerStephen Drake

I have to preface this article with an admission. I had a lot to do with how this article turned out. Columnist Tim Steller called Diane Coleman Friday (Nov 1) afternoon wanting to interview her about an upcoming visit to the area by Derek Humphry, who would apparently be talking about assisted suicide for people … Continue reading Arizona Daily Star: Derek Humphry and Columnist Push “New Frontier” on Assisted Suicide →