Considering Critical Death Songs Reframing Suicidal Ideation Beyond the Carceral State

Abstract

This paper explores the connection between the carceral state and suicidal ideation – the “death song” of many Mad people – through the lenses of Mad studies and queer theory to propose an alternative perspective on ideation. By challenging the dominant narratives of suicide, death songs can be reframed as collective responses to ableist capitalism. Further, this paper underscores the potential for ideation to operate as subjugated knowledge production as a tool for generating Mad and Queer world-building beyond the carceral state.