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The 9 0’Clock News - Fern Britton: people who commit suicide are “brave”

Posted by 22 March 2011 09:00

Fern Britton: people who commit suicide are “brave”

Uh-oh, we predict TV host Fern Britton is about to cause a media outcry. Ahead of her new Channel 4 show, the 53-year-old mum of four has opened up to the Radio Times about her battles with depression, even going so far as to say that people who take their own lives are brave. Says Fern, “It’s a terrible thing and when I hear about people that have taken their own lives, I actually think ‘how very, very brave’. I can also understand people left behind saying ‘how selfish’ but for the person who has been in such mental torture, the bravery of doing that – and the secrecy – is, well I don’t say it’s admirable but I do understand it.” What do you think about Fern’s comments? And do you think she’ll end up in trouble over them?

Average rating: 4 stars (9 votes)

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110 Comments

  • amychar87

    23 March 2011 23:05

    AMYDOG - also my family, my mum and brother especially r traumatised by wat happened. they found him hanging in my hallway. someone who lets people find them that way is nothing more than a selfish coward who only cares for themselves. THEY R FAR FROM BRAVE. im sure if ferns husband committed suicide and let one of her family members find him she wouldnt be saying its a brave thing to do

    amychar87

  • amychar87

    23 March 2011 23:03

    AMYDOG - i havent taken it out of context. its not brave to kill urself. being brave would be talking to someone, doing anything u can to get help and not be so selfish as to just take ur life and leave every1 who cares about u behind. U HAVE NO IDEA

    amychar87

  • beanboozled

    22 March 2011 16:59

    i dont think suicide is brave. i can understand it and i do see why some people feel there is no other way out and for them it is better. but i cannot stand people that decide to kill them selves in public places for all to see. if you were truely depressed and need a way out surely you would want a diginifed end? when people throw themselves in front of trains and hang themselves in public i thinks it is just awful. a man hung himself in a local park and a paper boy found him. that boy is now so traumatised that he will no doubt have some of that depression inflicted on him. that is not brave, that is purely selfish and thoughtless. i also know a train driver who can no longer work because he has been too traumatised by these peoples bodies being flung infront of him.

    beanboozled

  • MrsWeeWoo

    22 March 2011 16:42

    they say it's illegal to commit suicide - but how would they be punished?

    MrsWeeWoo

  • debster1974

    22 March 2011 16:14

    No abuse aMyDoG, maybe GP's just have to be a bit better at diagnosing depression, and not just make it too easy for some to use it as an excuse not to work!

    debster1974

  • aMyDoG

    22 March 2011 16:09

    GlennCoco- I don't think that depression should be educated from a school age. I think that a lot of people use it as an excuse (and i dont mean you guys who have had an awful experience) but for example people on benefits use depression as an excuse but still have the will to go out every weekend. I guess my point is that if we drum it into childrens heads then it can lead to a lazy way out. If not, then awful stories us parents have to explain to the child when they are asking about it- ok im ready for the abuse!

    aMyDoG

  • BeefyMonster

    22 March 2011 15:26

    That's mental. I have heard of pshycologically induced amnesia but not it affecting your physical senses.

    BeefyMonster

  • Nevster

    22 March 2011 14:58

    Aye Flib, I get stressed easily, to the extent were I have ended up in hospital with heart palpitations at the tender age of 23!! Not Good! Its just people react differently and respond differently to grief, stress etc. I thankfully have the most calm boyfriend in the world that keeps me in tact!

    Nevster

  • GlennCoco

    22 March 2011 14:57

    Tinkerblast I was about to comment pretty much exactly what you said. I fully understand people's opinions on thinking suicide is selfish for those left behind but if a loved one is truly battling with depression then I do not doubt their family know what a struggle trying to function everyday is for that person. A close friend committed suicide after several years of bi-polar depression. His family supported him with counselling and every medical intervention there was going but ultimately nothing was able to provide him with the comfort to be able to live anything close to what we would call a normal life. They were so dignified at accepting that he had made his choice and was now at peace that it was actually hard for us, as being a step removed, to understand it all. I honestly think more needs to be done to educate people, right from school age, about depression. People misunderstanding it only adds to the weight being placed on the sufferers and their families.

    GlennCoco

  • rose87

    22 March 2011 14:55

    each to their own

    rose87

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