Girl Bullying: The Media's Fault?

Interesting blame-game by the Sydney Morning Herald about girl bullying and online media.  But is Gossip *new*?  It seems to say that the move further into "the private domain" is causing an increase in harassment...

Quotes:

"The public arena is moving further and further into the private domain."

"Because the internet is so unfiltered and so vast, it has become a far more accurate reflection of the human condition than the traditional mass media. The self-portrait that has emerged is not flattering. The explosion in productivity, transparency, community and knowledge has been accompanied by largely unfettered pettiness, vituperation and schadenfreude. This is the encompassing public medium of the young. This is their stage and their minefield."

Irony:

Same sight re-posts Rihanna's alleged nude photos.  Gossip, anyone?

Women and Mental Health : A New Report

New article on women's mental health from CNN.  Quotes:

""Action Steps for Improving Women's Mental Health," a new report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health (OWH), explores the role gender plays in the diagnosis, course and treatment of mental illness. It calls for specific actions to counteract the inadequacies in this field."

"There is a common thread to Neighbour's experience and that of other women suffering from mental illness: societal beliefs often pressure women into accepting their mental illness as "just how things are," citing hormones and traditional views of women as the emotional, weaker sex as reasons to simply accept their current situation. According to Jones, it's a barrier that keeps women from seeking treatment for an otherwise largely treatable disease."

Just another hystericization of women? Or a good point?

Kill Yourself or Die Trying

Online website that sells belts and custom-worded t-shirts, etc.  

'Kill Yourself or Die Trying'

Facebook Suicide?

Term for dropping off of social networking sites?  Found at Trendspotting of 2008.

Suicide in Advertising: From the Horse's Mouth

Here's an advertising blog's defense of the use of suicide in advertising: Advertising Pawn

Some key quotes:

"we provide you with an article on suicide and how to end your life with a bang (or a splash)."

"Advertising just loves hyperbolic behavior. In our world, suicide isn’t morose and heart-crunching (let’s leave that to real life). We prefer to consider suicide as the epitome of a relationship with a brand. After all, suicide is just the doubt looking for the truth, which means that our products become the ultimate reason to live, die, or think of life differently."

Be sure to check out the example ads they post at the bottom.

Trevor Project Ad Campaign: I'm Glad I Failed

the Trevor Project's online ad campaign against suicide.

Info here:  http://www.thetrevorproject.org/ImGladIFailed/

Seeking Attention?

from http://freakontheloose.wordpress.com/2006/07/04/grow-up-i-think-my-group-knows-about-that-i/

 "i tend to agree with joyce, that when people cut, sure-they have a problem, but most of them have a problem of seeking attention of people around them. if suicide was on your mind, you wouldnt cut at random places, you’d cut at strategic places and deep enough, this way, your goal might be achieved. plus, if suicide really was your goal, you’d need a significant amount of courage to cut, most people find cutting painful, okay, so if hurting yourself, without the intention of suicide is your way out, i dont think anyone in a right frame of mind would agree it’s the right way. heck, even if suicide was a way out for you, i still wouldnt agree"

Just Do It Video

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd259/mariahleia/suicide/thsuicide-1.gif

Video found at http://thesuicidelist.blogspot.com/

Interesting intersection of consumerism (Nike's 'just do it') and suicide.  What is the message here?