Tag Archives: suicide prevention

Carrie Ann Lucas Public Radio Interview About Jerika Bolen – A Captioned Video

[Thanks to John Kelly and Frankie Symonds for creating this video. Carrie is among those who received recognition from New Mobility for trying to save Jerika’s life.] Last July, news broke that Appleton, Wisconsin 14-year-old Jerika Bolen had decided to die because of the extreme pain she was in, pain attributed to her genetic condition, … Continue reading Carrie Ann Lucas Public Radio Interview About Jerika Bolen – A Captioned Video

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

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

Center for Disability Rights Creates PSA on Assisted Suicide in Response to Me Before You

[Editor’s Note: This is a reprint of a Press Release issued by the Center for Disability Rights, NDY’s close partner in Rochester, NY.] The Center for Disability Rights has created a PSA to address disability and assisted suicide, one of the primary topics highlighted in the new romantic comedy, Me Before You. The film is … Continue reading Center for Disability Rights Creates PSA on Assisted Suicide in Response to Me Before You

Stephen Mendelsohn: CT Suicide Prevention Plan 2020 Includes Concerns About Disability & Assisted Suicide

[Editor’s Note:  This Guest Blog is from Stephen Mendelsohn, one of the leaders of Second Thoughts Connecticut.] This is likely a first from the mainstream suicide prevention community:  The Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board (CTSAB) recognizes that legalizing assisted suicide encourages people with disabilities to commit suicide.  Here’s the relevant excerpt from the State of Connecticut Suicide … Continue reading Stephen Mendelsohn: CT Suicide Prevention Plan 2020 Includes Concerns About Disability & Assisted Suicide

Robin Williams and the Hypocrisy of Suicide Prevention Organizations

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