r/TooAfraidToAsk • u/[deleted] • May 26 '22
Do you think suicide rates would go down if everyone had a dog? Mental Health
[deleted]
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u/Novel-Various May 27 '22
Besides the fact that the problems caused by poor mental health don't have an easy fix, not everyone likes dogs either. A dog would literally give me more stress.
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u/jbug71 May 27 '22
Dogs are amazing
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u/Liberally_applied May 27 '22
They are. So are elephants. I don’t want either.
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u/excusivelyForRamen May 26 '22
Would they go down for some? Probably. The question then arises how they might go up for some. Would the extra responsibility cripple some who otherwise might have been able to get through? Possibly. I know a dog helped me cope with depression. Gave me someone to love unconditionally. Its what I needed. Probably not what everyone who is suicidal needs though
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u/d3dmnky May 26 '22
No. A dog isn’t right for everyone and certainly isn’t a magical solution for everything. I say that as a person who loves dogs dearly.
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u/geak78 May 27 '22
I personally know a few people that were suicidal and say the only reason they didn't try or tried to hold on after attempting was because of their dog. So it is a possibility. However, people are complex.
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May 26 '22
Maybe if it were a visiting puppy. I love other people’s dogs. But if I had to clean up after an animal that literally eats dirty diapers out of the trash and then pukes up said shit on the sofa, I may, in fact, become suicidal.
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u/PickleEmergency7918 May 27 '22
Everyone acts like dogs are perfect, amazing creatures, but they're so disgusting and high maintenance
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u/Liberally_applied May 27 '22
I hate walking in a house with dogs. It’s like smokers. They never seem to realize how bad it smells.
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u/kellydayscruff May 26 '22
Or…train the dog against doing things like that?
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May 27 '22
Ha, as someone who's never owned a dog it didn't even occur to me they can be trained out of this. Does that mean all those people with poop-eating dogs just haven't trained them correctly?
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u/kellydayscruff May 27 '22
A lot of people kind of get dogs just to do it but dont make the time to properly train them or do the necessary research on the particular breed to know what they can expect. Training dogs goes a long way and its not much more complicated than instilling them with a sense of boundaries. But a trained dog is an excellent companion.
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u/Ecstatic_Objective_3 May 27 '22
Research will only get you so far on breeds. I have a Shih Tzu puppy, the third one I have owned. He is the most atypical Shih Tzu I have ever seen . He plays soccer, is obsessed with fetch, and is super high energy. And while he will cuddle with me when he is tired at the end of the day, he is not a lap dog 😂
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u/FlourFlavored May 27 '22
At least anecdotally, many people have said that the guilt they felt about leaving an animal they were responsible for was enough for them to stick around. Of course, parents leave kids but there is often another parent to take over so, if the dog has another care taker maybe the effect would be negated. And, when the dog inevitably dies, are the person's grief combined with the lack of sense of responsibility going to make them more suicidal?
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u/PickleEmergency7918 May 27 '22
Things that improve my mental health are taking medications and having home be a respite from my triggers. Something that would destroy my mental health is needing to take care of a dog. I don't speak for all people, but I think many would agree. Not everyone likes or wants dogs and that shouldn't be villanized.
Dude, if everyone was given a dog, tons of dogs would be neglected.
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u/PutPuzzleheaded5337 May 27 '22
I think they would go down. I don’t have evidence but when I was a young man, I had a cat and he kept me focused with care and companionship. A dog would require even more care and attention.
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u/Technical-Doubt2076 May 27 '22
Probably not; the only thing that would probably effectively combat suicide rates would be to finally give everyone equal access to mental health care and health care in general, independantly from their income, gender, age, sexual orientation, or social situation.
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u/twohedwlf May 27 '22
I'd rather have a cat, but I do feel like my cat has significantly improved my mental state.
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u/totallywirednyc May 27 '22
Dogs can't stop someone from killing themselves, they need therapy.
Dogs are gross stress inducing creatures that can't help, little do most people know that alot of people are afraid of those things and get bitten and have had trauma because of them.
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u/twohedwlf May 27 '22
If you so broken that you feel that way about dogs, then it sounds like you do need therapy.
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u/sucha-tootie May 26 '22
No. Also not everyone deserves or is mentally capable of taking care of another life.
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u/ImNotKwame May 27 '22
Ugh. I’m so over people who force their pets on others. Your fantasy world of everyone being required to own a dog is myopic and self serving at best. Not everyone likes dogs. Not everyone wants a pet. Just because you like something like that dog so now everyone is supposed to get a dog?
I like real housewives so everyone should be required to watch. No of course not. Life is about freedom. A dog will not make things better. Quit trying to force your dog on everyone.
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May 27 '22
? Not forcing my pet on others, just a question for the public about happiness and dogs.. get your panties out of a wad.
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u/ImNotKwame May 27 '22
Well your suggestion that I and everyone else being forced into pet ownership makes me extremely unhappy.
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u/ImNotKwame May 27 '22
I’m tighty whities today not panties. I don’t get that term. And my tighty whites are not in a wad. You’re trying to hypothetically force a dog on me and my house. I have papers here and there. I have my collection or notebook from 20 years ago. The dog will tear up mh things. What’s that? Train the dog? I shouldn’t have to. You are forcing your dog on everyone. What about cat people? Did you think about them? You’re only thinking about what you want. It’s all about you and your love for dogs.
Don’t sit there and lie. You don’t about care someone’s happiness. You don’t! I don’t want a dog! And I shouldn’t be forced to get one! What about me? Where is my happiness?? I don’t want a dog! I don’t need a dog! I want a man not a dog! I don’t want a dog. I don’t want a dog. Your suggestion makes me angry. Ginny you force people into corners. I feel cornered and put upon by you and your dog. Not everyone likes dog! So I’m angry. You need to know that and comprehend that.
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May 27 '22
Mate you need a hug, sending you a virtual hug. Don’t worry you don’t have to get a dog. :)
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u/ImNotKwame May 27 '22
People like you make me so angry. You’re forcing yourself and the dog on everyone. I’m just tired of it. Dogs are everywhere all of a sudden.
Unhappiness Ginny. That’s what your suggestion brings to my world. I don’t need a dog. And I resent you trying to force a dog on me. I would never say this to your face. How many of your friends have disdain for your dog but are too afraid to say anything?
Because some dog people don’t understand boundaries. Then when you want space from the dog they act like you’re the bad guy. Or blame me for the dog being upset because I didn’t bow down and worship the dog
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u/ImNotKwame May 27 '22
Quit forcing your dog on people/. And I’m not a bad person just because I don’t want to pet your dog! I want freedom. My darkest days were when I felt that I had no control or freedom. Your dogs are stealing my joy and my freedom. I’m very upset.
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u/kellydayscruff May 26 '22
Yes. And I have no issue with anyone feeling the need to take their own life. I believe 1000% in a dogs ability to cure loneliness
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u/No_Contribution2112 May 27 '22
Yes. My dog will pay my bills and take all of my responsibilities causing me to not feel depressed or suicidal anymore
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u/Lostinthewind1 May 27 '22
Yes, I think a AI VR Best Friend and councilor is the future, im sure they have the IEEE basics worked out ready, dont forget there are 7.6 Billion people on this planet, there no practical way to get a dog for everyone we need to take care of the 2.5 million that starve to death every year.
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u/Gremlin95x May 26 '22
No. There is no reason to believe just having a pet will prevent suicide. The pet does not solve a single cause of the person’s despair.