Suicides in Bali

[Adam]

Kura Kura,

Load of kuda tai generalisation there mate.

Is that so?? Generalisation, absolutely, but horse shit, in my opinion and experiences, I don't think so. This comment is heading down that path however:

Kampung bali is no different either to kampung Jawa.

Are you kidding me?? That to me sounds more like a generalisation from someone who hasn't spent any time (other than superficially) in either a Balinese kampung or a Javanese kampung or as I suspect, both. On the surface they all eat with their right hand and wipe their arse with their left and chow huge volumes of rice but as ethnic groups they are vastly different in nature and lifestyle. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule, but to what point does one split hairs??? And I don't think I suggested that jealousy and greed didn't exist in Java, just that it certainly doesn't seem to burden the emotions of people in kampung East Java in the same way it does in Bali. And I don't know what western country you are originally from but:

There's no 5star hotel at Desert point or Nias but some of the locals around there are way worse than in Bali when it comes to greed and jealousy. Same can be said for people in the west who are always busy trying to keep up with the Johnson's.

in Western Australia, where I'm from, the level of jealousy IN GENERAL isn't even a fraction of a percentage of the level of bitter jealousy I've detected in Bali. Not even remotely close. Harmless envy, yeah of course (and greed absolutely, all part of living in an economy nowdays, rather than a society), but no worse that a jestful 'you lucky bastard, I wish I could afford that' and certainly not the kind of pathetic emotion that leads to the persecution and slander like I've witnessed regularly in Bali. It normally disappears by high school in the West. Strangely, I've only ever noticed it directed at other locals (as in, Indonesians regardless of ethnicity). Anyways, I have digressed.....

Timdog,

I don't think you're going to get a simple answer to this question. I think you are heading down the right path though, that there is something wrong in Bali and you are 100% correct with this comment ".discernibly different, and perhaps somewhat less happy, vibe in "kampung Bali" that that in "kampug Jawa", IMHO.

I guess, if you look at the root cause of suicide, beyond the 'cultural' and 'religious' etc etc generalisations, it's a mental health issue, is it not?? I'm no psychologist or psychiatrist but I'm presuming that Depression is probably the illness and the suicide or self harm is a symptom of this illness, in the majority of suicides. So it might be fair to suggest there are more causes to Depression in Bali than in Java. What are the causes of Depression? I think you could write a book on that subject and any sufferers own causes are unique and most likely a combination of influences. Stress is a big one (and usually financially related) so maybe despite their outwardly lazy and laidback persona's, Balinese brains are actually buzzing quite hard on the inside? I think it's correct to suggest this is a generational thing and this is not unique to Bali by any means. Mental health disorders are on the increase globally and undoubtably are due to our over-complicated and fast paced modern lives.

Maybe the combined pressures of modern life are simply to much for a lot of Balinese? Let's not forget that Bali in particular, has had to learn to cope with the integration of Western culture and demands with traditional culture and demands in less than a lifetime. A lot of Javanese are blissfully ignorant to these pressures unless they actively seek them out, that is, leave home to immerse themselves in the "theme park" that is Bali. Most Balinese don't have that choice. Their home is that "theme park". From stone age backwater to dumping ground for millions of cashed up tourists and retiree's who are in a never ending quest themselves to change the world around them. I guess what I'm saying, is similar to indigenous cultures (e.g. Australian Aboriginals) the world over, but this has been an encouraged invasion in the name of money. Maybe they just can't handle it yet and there certainly is very little in the way of health care or support when the going gets too tough. Surabaya is a big, modern city, yes, but still very much Indonesian as in you can shun the rest of the world if you so choose. Jakarta is a world city, like London. Few inhabitants would be native so exist there by choice and if they are native have been brought up in that climate so are probably used to it after generations of exposure.

Sorry for the ramble again. I must admit, if I was granted the option of enduring a lifetime of hindu dharma ceremonies and servitude (slavery?) to countless pig-ignorant tourists and neo-colonial expats OR a wee nip of Baygon's best, I'd probably go the 'Roach juice too......
Only joking ;)

Adz

[Kura Kura]

Kura Kura,






Are you kidding me?? That to me sounds more like a generalisation from someone who hasn't spent any time (other than superficially) in either a Balinese kampung or a Javanese kampung or as I suspect, both. On the surface they all eat with their right hand and wipe their arse with their left and chow huge volumes of rice but as ethnic groups they are vastly different in nature and lifestyle. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule, but to what point does one split hairs??? And I don't think I suggested that jealousy and greed didn't exist in Java, just that it certainly doesn't seem to burden the emotions of people in kampung East Java in the same way it does in Bali. And I don't know what western country you are originally from but:


Adz

No-one's doubting they're not different ethnically, however when it comes to them being different in degrees of jealousy and greed then by all means try and quantify that. Go for it.

Suspect all you want about how much time I've spent anywhere buddy . BTW I'm also orginally from WA ( Cowaramup).

Now back to the point I was trying to make, there's greed and jealousy wherever you go, probably a lot less in Kampung Bali/Java/Sumatra/Amazon/Some village in Germany, smalltown USA, Country WA etc etc because the communities are smaller and closer and rely on each other more to survive.

[Jesse]

Looks like people here feels like having a suicide for a shallow argument. We can't really generalized the cause of increase in numbers since psychologist or statistics can't make a conclusion if the people they could ask about the reasons already committed suicide.