Cuthbert

I think it could be argued that it's selfish to think it's selfish. If there's one thing you should have the right to do in this world it is to end your own life.

Hitch

Well, one naturally has the right (there are plenty of ways in which to do so) but it still takes a certain amount of solipsism to go that far, no? Can a neutral observer at least say that the person ought to reconsider his/her decision at least for the sake of their closest friends/family members (without sounding selfish)? Some of these incidents may be due to isolation, but believe me you, I think almost everyone will know someone whom they could write a letter to for which the response would be surprisingly positive.

ManWithNoName

I don't think it is selfish but I put "depends on the circumstances". When I feel suicidal it feels it is because I am selfless - i.e. not of sustainable or of efficient value to the universe, a burden on society, so it makes more sense to not live for myself.

It's selfish the way we live to better ourselves and not think of others who are in poorer circumstances. It is also selfish how some of us are brought into the world without consideration of the potential consequences.

No one chooses to be here. It just happens and sometimes you get lucky depending on the environment.

Scarlett O'Hara

How many people on here have actually felt suicidal? You don't have to share but there have been moments in my past where I have felt so unhappy and miserable where I've considered how committing suicide would improve my situation. I was in a situation where I had no money, I was ill and in terrible pain all the time and couldn't get out to see anybody. It can get pretty desperate quickly. But on the other hand, I'm not the type of person who could commit suicide, I am too strong willed for that. My mom calls me tenacious, but honestly with what's left of my faith I couldn't just give up because it's hard, the feeling is so rewarding when you get past the rough time and know that you can and did make it. I'm rambling incoherently I know but am wanting to make people see that it is normal.

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Cuthbert

I think everyone has thought about it at some point but with differing levels of seriousness, whether it's just curiosity or you genuinely can't see a way out. My life makes me frustrated and sometimes, though I have never considered suicide seriously, I can't imagine what it must take for someone to go through with it uncertain of what happens afterward, and go against your instinct to survive. Mental illness runs in my familly, I know people who have told me they've been suicidal and suffer from schizophrenia etc... It's scary

The Batlord

I've thought about it, but never seriously. I guess, no matter how **** my life is, since I don't believe in an afterlife, and since I'm not one of those atheists who sees death as some kind of merciful release from suffering, death just scares the **** out of me. On the other hand, I'm sort of a fatalist. I just don't feel capable of dealing with life and I feel like at some point I'll either become homeless or commit suicide. Luckily those two options don't seem to be coming around anytime soon, so who knows?

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ManWithNoName

Yeah, I had a friend that told me similar things. His family didn't really understand and he was banned from calling the emergency services for hoaxes.

I really didn't know what to say to him in all honesty. I know I had similar experiences to some of his feelings, but genuinely can't even begin to imagine the darkness he must have felt. There is also a man I read about who threw himself in front of a truck and said the physical pain form his dysfunctional legs and years of rehabilitation was nothing compared to the depression he felt before the event.

But the pain of a friend's funeral is enough to keep me from doing it to those around me. I can understand why some may see it as selfish or cowardly to do it for that reason alone but honestly, you never know what another individual is going through. Everything is selfish in a way.

For every 1 soldier that dies fighting in the military, 25 commit suicide (recent United States statistic, includes veterans). These are things you will not find your mainstream media reminding you of when they boast of wars and advertise to you. Suicide is the biggest killer of young men in UK society in general.

The Batlord

I'm inclined to agree. Sure it's selfish to put your friends and family through that, but it can also be seen as selfish for them to expect you to keep on suffering your whole life just for their benefit.

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Cuthbert

My post was poorly worded sorry, I'm assuming you meant you know people who've told you they were suicidal? I know two people who are schizophrenics but neither of them told me they were is what I meant, one was diagnosed when I was about 2, the other was a lad I grew up with in the area, a school friend. He ran away 6 years ago and not seen or heard from him since. That was surreal though as watching someone deteriorate with schizophrenia is very weird.

And I noticed another part of your post, did you say suicide is the biggest killer of young men in the UK?

ManWithNoName

He was describing what he felt to me one night and it was definitely schizophrenia although he didn't say that to me. He was off school for years, killed himself last summer.

And yes, younger men are most at risk of dying from suicide: