Minerva Malinis

No one really knows why human beings commit suicide. Indeed, the very person who takes his own life may be
least aware at the moment of decision of the essence (much less the totality) of his reasons and emotions behind
the act.
DEFINITION OF SUICIDE
Briefly defined, suicide is the human act of self-inflicted, seif-intentioned cessation.
Suicide is not a disease, although there are those who think so; it is not, in the view of most detached observers,
an immorality (although, as noted below, it has often been so treated in Western and other cultures); and,
finally, it is unlikely that any one theory will ever explain phenomena as varied and as complicated as human
self-destructive behavior. In general, it is probably accurate to say that suicide always involves a person's
tortured and tunneled logic in a state of intolerable emotion. In addition, this mixture of constricted thinking
and unbearable anguish is infused with that person's conscious and unconscious psychodynamics of hate,
dependency, hope, etc., playing themselves out within a social and cultural context, which itself imposes various
degrees of restraint on, or facilitation of, the suicidal act.
This definition implies that committing suicide involves a conceptualization of death that combines a person's
conscious wish to be dead and his action to earn' out that wish. It focuses on his intention, which may have to
be inferred by others, that the goal of action relates to death rather than self-injury or self-mutilation, and it
focuses on the concept of the cessation of the person's conscious introspective life. The word "suicide" would
seem to be clear enough, although such phrases as "self-inflicted" (in the case where Saul asked another soldier
to kill him) and "self-intentioned" (in the case where Seneca was ordered by Nero to kill himself) add to the
complications of finding a clear-cut definition of suicide.
Complexities and difficulties with definition. If the definition of "suicide" is complicated, there are even more
confusions of meaning when the adjective "suicidal" is used
The patients' tremendous amounts of pain
and suffering will end.
CONS
-It would violate the doctor's hippocratic oath.
-The patients die knowing that it was their
choice. -It decreases the value of human life.
-The patients can die with dignity rather -It could open the floodgate to non-critical
than a shell of their former selves. patient suicides and other abuses.
-Health care costs can be reduced. -Many religions believe that if you commit
suicide you are sent straight to Hell. Therefore,
-The nurse or doctor can move onto it is harder for the famililes.
another patient that has a chance at living
instead of spending their time helping a -Doctors and familis may be prompted to give
terminally ill patient. up on recovery much too early
-Pain of the patient's family can be
reduced. -Government and insurance companies may
may put undue pressure on doctors to avoid
-Vital organs can be saved and used to heroic measures or recommend the PAS
save other patients. procedure.
-Without physician assistance people may -Doctors' could be given too much power
commit suicide in messy, horrifying, or
tramatic ways.
Unless you indicate that voices are telling you to kill yourself, trying to explain why you feel you need to kill
yourself is not going to help anyone to understand or accept your suicide. Nothing that you say will ever be an
adequate explanation to your loved ones.
Suicide is defined as death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the
behavior.

Why does it happen?

The stresses of life and mental illness are the main problems that can lead people to die by suicide. The stresses
of life can lead to depression. Depression is an illness which can often be treated. Research shows that mental
illness is the most important risk factor for suicide; and that more than 90% of people who commit suicide have
a mental or addictive disorder. Depression is the most common illness among those who die from suicide, with
approximately 60% suffering from this condition. No single determinant, including mental illness, is enough on
its own to cause a suicide. Rather, suicide typically results from the interaction of many factors, for example:
mental illness, marital breakdown, financial hardship, deteriorating physical health, a major loss, or a lack of
social support.
Many people have fleeting thoughts of death. Fleeting thoughts of death are less of a problem and are much
different from actively planning to try suicide. Your risk of suicide is increased if you think about death and killing
yourself often, or if you have made a suicide plan.
Causes
Suicide and suicidal behaviors usually occur in people with one or more of the following:
Bipolar disorder
Borderline personality disorder
Depression
Drug or alcohol dependence
Schizophrenia
Stressful life issues, such as serious financial or relationship problems
People who try to commit suicide are often trying to get away from a life situation that seems impossible to deal
with.
Suicidal behaviors may occur when there is a situation or event that the person finds overwhelming, such as:
Aging (the elderly have the highest rate of suicide)
Death of a loved one
Dependence on drugs or alcohol
Emotional trauma
Serious physical illness
Unemployment or money problems
Most suicide attempts do not result in death. Many of these attempts are done in a way that makes rescue
possible. These attempts are often a cry for help.
Some people attempt suicide in a way that is less likely to be fatal, such as poisoning or overdose. Males,
especially elderly men, are more likely to choose violent methods, such as shooting themselves. As a result,
suicide attempts by males are more likely to result in death.
Relatives of people who attempt or commit suicide often blame themselves or become very angry.

Signs and Symptoms

The behaviors listed below may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide.
Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live
Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
Feeling unbearable pain (emotional pain or physical pain)
Talking about being a burden to others
Withdrawing from family and friends
Talking or thinking about death often
Protective Factors
Effective clinical care for mental, physical, and substance abuse disorders
Easy access to a variety of clinical interventions and support for help seeking
Family and community support (connectedness)
Support from ongoing medical and mental health care relationships
Skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent ways of handling disputes
Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support instincts for self-preservation

5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain

Ask: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” It’s not an easy question but studies show that asking at-risk
individuals if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts.
Keep them safe: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of
suicide prevention. While this is not always easy, asking if the at-risk person has a plan and removing or disabling
the lethal means can make a difference.
Be there: Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Findings suggest acknowledging
and talking about suicide may in fact reduce rather than increase suicidal thoughts.
Help them connect: You can also help make a connection with a trusted individual like a family member, friend,
spiritual advisor, or mental health professional.
Stay Connected: Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference. Studies
have shown the number of suicide deaths goes down when someone follows up with the at-risk person.
Suicide should be opposed because people shouldn’t have the ability to forfeit the right to life. The right to life
is different from other rights in many ways that make this true.

First, life is the fundamental right from which all other rights derive. Every other right is useless without life, so
on a balance of protecting the most rights suicide should be opposed.
Secondly, forfeiting life is irreversible. Other rights can be regained if you opt out of them, but not life. That
permanence means life should be afforded extra protection.
Third, when you take your life you are also taking the life of whatever person you might become, so even if you
consent to suicide, the future you hasn’t consented (or at least it is impossible to establish that consent).
Fourth, while some might have legitimate reasons for wanting to kill themselves there are many mental
disorders that drive people to suicide, but which could be treated. It is impossible to prove beforehand if
someone has such a disease, so inevitably if we are for suicide then some people will die who would not have
consented to die if they had a healthy state of mind.
Fifth, there are practical benefits to life being considered sacred. If life is sacred people are more willing to
consider other options like counselling or therapy or support networks rather than suicide. It also means people
who make decisions regarding people’s lives are more likely to look at life as a right which is deserving of special
protections and act accordingly.
Life is a special right, it should be considered especially sacred even to the point of opposing people opting out
of it.