With regard to your article (NHS queue forces some to suicide', March 13), I feel there are a couple of points that need clarifying.
First of all, I must emphasise that I do not believe that most depression sufferers attempt suicide merely to get the help they need.
It is true that one person we know did go to these lengths, and that a few suicide attempts are indeed partly cries for help. However, these constitute only a small minority of suicide attempts. Sadly, the majority of depressed people who attempt to take their lives are serious about it and do not want to be found.
When a person gets to the point where they feel life is not worth living, they are usually unable to see that there is any alternative.
My key point is that if psychiatric help is offered early enough it can prevent a person getting to the point of no return.
Suicide does not just happen out of the blue there is normally a long history of mental distress and attempts to find help, before the person gives up hope.
Anne Ince-Vize, organiser
Depression Alliance Barnet
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