I have always considered suicide a personal choice, one not to be judged by anyone, but I’ve never understood it. Personal choices are always complex, I know, but why would anyone want to wipe their physical identify off the face of the Earth, sever every connection, good or bad? I did some research.
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Suicide: A Complicated Personal Choice
Friends and relatives have taken their lives. One made a statement, hanging himself in his father’s home. Another drove his truck to a remote location and blew his brains out in his truck. For others, it looked like a slow suicide by drug and/or alcohol abuse, knowing where that ride ended. And there was the one where another driver, at high speed, squared up an isolated tree.
But I’ve read about suicides that were more well-considered, even joyful, ending a life surrounded by loving friends and family nearby. A better way to go than suffering the ravages of incurable cancer, I thought, but most others make different choices.
In the United States, an average of over 48,000 people die by suicide each year. That tells us that there are at least 48,000 reasons, each individually decided.
Decisions
The decision to end one’s life is complex and often heart-wrenching, rooted in despair and hopelessness, but not always. Martyrdom may play role, such as when holy people self-immolate as a protest to war. Sometimes, it’s thought out, even shared with friends; other times, it’s an immediate response to something painful.
While it’s a personal choice, recognizing the multifaceted factors that contribute to suicidal ideation is enlightening.
Mental health conditions undeniably play a significant role. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other illnesses can cast a pervasive shadow over an individual’s life, distorting their perception of reality and diminishing their sense of hope. The stigma surrounding these conditions often exacerbates the isolation and distress experienced by those affected.
Beyond mental health, traumatic experiences, chronic pain, and a perceived lack of social support can also contribute to suicidal thoughts. When individuals feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges and believe they have exhausted all other options, they may turn to suicide as a final escape.
Thoughts:
- Suicide is man’s way of telling God, ‘You can’t fire me – I quit.’ – Bill Maher
- If I had no sense of humor, I would long ago have committed suicide. – Mahatma Gandhi
- It is always consoling to think of suicide: in that way one gets through many a bad night. – Friedrich Nietzsche
- They tell us that suicide is the greatest piece of cowardice… that suicide is wrong; when it is quite obvious that there is nothing in the world to which every man has a more unassailable title than to his own life and person. – Arthur Schopenhauer
We’re repeatedly reminded that suicide is never the answer, but who are we to make that judgment for someone else? Help is available, and sometimes recovery is possible. By reaching out to a crisis hotline or mental health professional, individuals may access the support and resources they need to navigate difficult times.
Anyone has the right, though, knowing all that, to chose differently. Often, suicides happen after all those resources are exhausted – or no longer wanted. Anyone refusing to honor another’s choice in favor of dying isn’t qualified to honor an opposite choice.
Open and honest conversations about mental health are crucial in breaking down the stigma surrounding suicide. By fostering a culture of empathy and understanding, we can create a society where everyone feels valued, connected, and hopeful. But when has that ever happened, anywhere in the history of the world?
It never will, and freedom of choice must always be respected. It’s never about you or me – it’s about them.
Remember, you are not alone.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
By working together to promote mental well-being and provide accessible support, we can reduce the prevalence of suicide and create a brighter future for all.
“I Can Ask”
Chair Fay Christian opened the Operations Advisory Committee on February 12th, reading out member names from a prepared sheet that omitted Melissa Wade. It didn’t feel intentional, but it struck me as odd precisely because it came from something prepared. Lydia Tang gently corrected her, noting that Wade was, in fact, a member of the committee. Wade met the moment with grace, or perhaps she simply wasn’t bothered by it.
