McMurphys of Greece.

Confronting suicide as Greek social problems mount

By Chloe Hadjimatheou

Published: Oct. 17, 2011; accessed: Oct. 19, 2011

There is a huge economic crisis in Greece, increasing the unemployment rate by nearly 17%. This made people of Greece lose hope for the future and fall into depression leading to suicide. Andreas Loverdos, Greek Minister for Health, reported that the suicide rate has increased by 40% or higher. This rapid increase in of suicide has motivated people to take action. Thus, in order to lower the suicide rate, volunteers from non- governmental organizations have been working together for groups such as Klimaka. Klimaka, one of the suicide prevention help lines, has been picking up the calls to support and comfort those reaching out in need. Not only does Klimaka answer the phone, but it also uses the radio to broadcast help and advice to more people suffering from depression.

I think the volunteers are like McMurphy in the novel One flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey. They are there to help the people suffering from their mental illness; in this case, depression. The volunteers are trying to make them feel “big” again, just like McMurphy did to Bromden. The Greeks, who committed suicide, are like Billy, going through depression. Billy, one of the patients in the hospital, could not handle his failure and committed suicide. Along with Billy, the Greeks are also similar to Bromden. Due to events in their own lives, they lost hope and the feeling of being significant. However, due to the volunteers, the Greeks were able to feel hopeful and important to the world, and eventually recovered from their depression and moved forward with their lives.

VOCAB-

Stigma- noun- a mark of disgrace and infamy

origin- Latin (1580- 90) stig- a mark

ma- result of an action. (dictionary)

A transcript can be a stigma for some, but hopefully not me.

Client-noun- a customer, who receives help from a professorial.

origin- Middle English (1350-1400)

stem of cliēnsperson seeking the protection or influence of someone powerful; (dictionary)

Students are clients to the teachers.

Defer- verb- to put off something to future time.

origin- Middle English ( 1325- 75) from deferren variant of differren to differ (dictionary) 

Students tends to defer their homework until it is due.