Is Suicide selfish?

[Jack.]

So in light of the current storyline in coronation street, it’s got me thinking what everyone’s opinions on the subject are, Do you feel that Suicide is a selfish thing to do?

[Ant.]

No.

[LukeB]

No.

[RileyH]

It depends honestly, a really tricky question

[LaLaLand]

No, nobody can ever imagine just what a person is going through mentally to get to that stage of taking their own life.

I've struggled with severe anxiety and depression in the past and that was intensely awful, horrible, life-ruining stuff (I didn't leave my house/garden for over 12 months because of it, seriously)... But even I never got to the point where I didn't want to go on anymore. To be at that point and to be in such a state of mind is pretty much incomparable to anything.

[AnnieK]

I used to think it was....like taking the easy way out and leaving loved ones to deal with it. It used to make me angry when I heard of people doing it.

But then I really thought about it and how absolutely bleak someone must feel for that to be the only way they can see to end the desperation they are feeling. To feel your only option is to do that, is absolutely heartbreaking. They will not be thinking of others because their depression is all consuming.

[Marsh.]

I suppose, yes, but not intentionally.

In that, due to the mental illness, the depression etc, the person committing suicide feels they are a burden and the world would be better without them. So, in that sense no, because they aren't thinking rationally.

[Matthew.]

No - although I think it’s good that Coronation Street showed Beth and Kate expressing this view tonight as it shows a variety of responses/perspectives.

[Firewire]

Not intentionally but it can be depending on the circumstances.

For example, someone who jumps in front of a train traumatising people in the process is a selfish way to go (but I don't blame the person for this). That driver will be scarred for life.

But I find it difficult to get into that mind frame so I would never call them selfish, per se.

[Alf]

In some way yes, and in some way no. Depends what angle you look at it from.

My best mate took his own life and sometimes I'm angry at him for the pain he put us through, but I also think how scared he must have been to do somthing like that.

[Jack.]

No, nobody can ever imagine just what a person is going through mentally to get to that stage of taking their own life.

I've struggled with severe anxiety and depression in the past and that was intensely awful, horrible, life-ruining stuff (I didn't leave my house/garden for over 12 months because of it, seriously)... But even I never got to the point where I didn't want to go on anymore. To be at that point and to be in such a state of mind is pretty much incomparable to anything.

One thing that annoys me in this day and age is that male mental health is still a taboo. You’d think by now that it would no longer be such a taboo

[Wizard.]

Not intentionally, I wouldn’t say selfish, but it definitely is inconsiderate especially when a loved one walks in on a relative hanging from the air. You wouldn’t get over that sort of thing and it could cause that person to take their own life.

[Kazanne]

I suppose, yes, but not intentionally.

In that, due to the mental illness, the depression etc, the person committing suicide feels they are a burden and the world would be better without them. So, in that sense no, because they aren't thinking rationally.

I agree with this,you have to be in a dark place to go through with it.

[Barry.]

It’s a mental health issue so I say no.

[kirklancaster]

I suppose, yes, but not intentionally.

In that, due to the mental illness, the depression etc, the person committing suicide feels they are a burden and the world would be better without them. So, in that sense no, because they aren't thinking rationally.

I agree with this too.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Depression is a brain malfunction. It's not choice. Real depression, not feeling gloomy. Sadly we are miles a from being able to tell which is which

[Twosugars]

From personal experience I can say that suicidal person think they're doing everybody (and themselves) a favour by "catching a bus" (killing themselves).
I can only talk about suicide caused by depression. Severe depression feels like living in unbearable anguish, feeling almost physical pain of living in hopeless despair. And like with any unbearable pain, sooner or later, you'd anything to make it stop.
Sadly, treatment options are far from perfect and being in treatment on nhs, for example, can actually make you worse iykwim. So at the end of the day is all about personal strength and will to survive, both of which can and do get exhausted sooner or later.

[smudgie]

No.
The anguish and loneliness you must feel to want to take your own life must be horrendous.

[LaLaLand]

From personal experience I can say that suicidal person think they're doing everybody (and themselves) a favour by "catching a bus" (killing themselves).
I can only talk about suicide caused by depression. Severe depression feels like living in unbearable anguish, feeling almost physical pain of living in hopeless despair. And like with any unbearable pain, sooner or later, you'd anything to make it stop.
Sadly, treatment options are far from perfect and being in treatment on nhs, for example, can actually make you worse iykwim. So at the end of the day is all about personal strength and will to survive, both of which can and do get exhausted sooner or later.

I know exactly what you mean, I've been there. :(

Totally agree with you though.

[rusticgal]

A sensitive issue. To jump in front of a train or car and leave some innocent person traumatised for the rest of their life is unfair, selfish even...but the state of their mind is only to end their life because they are in a dark place and desperate...therefore it's harsh to call them selfish...BUT to end your life in such a way when it has an impact on innocent people is equally unfair.
If you are in that dark place and you feel there is no other option then there are ways to do it without damaging or impacting others. Having said that family and friends will be impacted hugely. I speak from personal experience and a very recent one. Mental illness is a tough one...because I don't think we ever think that someone we think we know so well would ever make that ultimate sacrifice and only when it happens, family and friends feel guilty of not doing more. It's all too vicious and tragic.

[thesheriff443]

a 21 year old hanged himself because his girlfriend cheated on him and was found by his brother

A 23 year old guy blew his head off with his dads shot gun and was found by his mum in the shed he showed no signs of depression.

Another guy hanged himself from the loft hatch because he had split from his girlfriend who he had a child with, found by his mum who could not lift him down, all people I know.

These cases above are selfish acts in my eyes.

[LaLaLand]

a 21 year old hanged himself because his girlfriend cheated on him and was found by his brother

A 23 year old guy blew his head off with his dads shot gun and was found by his mum in the shed he showed no signs of depression.

Another guy hanged himself from the loft hatch because he had split from his girlfriend who he had a child with, found by his mum who could not lift him down, all people I know.

These cases above are selfish acts in my eyes.

Nobody ever really, to the "outside world", shows signs of depression.

Some of the happiest, funniest, most jovial people you know who seem to not have a care in the world could have severe depression and you wouldn't know it.

[Marsh.]

a 21 year old hanged himself because his girlfriend cheated on him and was found by his brother

A 23 year old guy blew his head off with his dads shot gun and was found by his mum in the shed he showed no signs of depression.

Another guy hanged himself from the loft hatch because he had split from his girlfriend who he had a child with, found by his mum who could not lift him down, all people I know.

These cases above are selfish acts in my eyes.

To an outsider those appear to be the reasons, but they could simply have been "triggers" in a long life of severe depression.

[thesheriff443]

Nobody ever really, to the "outside world", shows signs of depression.

Some of the happiest, funniest, most jovial people you know who seem to not have a care in the world could have severe depression and you wouldn't know it.

Lots of people with depression put on an act, like putting on a pair shoes each day.

A saying that as always stayed with me is, when you have tryed everything the last thing you try is again.

How do you think one guys parents feels that it was the dads gun he used and the mother finding him after hearing the gun shot opening the door and seeing that, he said good morning to his younger brother as he passed him on the stairs.

[LaLaLand]

Lots of people with depression put on an act, like putting on a pair shoes each day.

A saying that as always stayed with me is, when you have tryed everything the last thing you try is again.

How do you think one guys parents feels that it was the dads gun he used and the mother finding him after hearing the gun shot opening the door and seeing that, he said good morning to his younger brother as he passed him on the stairs.

I totally get your point, but when someone is absolutely ravaged with depression they (or should I say their illness) don't take other people into consideration and all they want is a release and the pain they're feeling to stop, physical and mental pain. Agony, if you will.

I've suffered (and will do throughout my life on and off) with mild depression and severe anxiety, and that "MILD" depression was unbearable, so to have a severe case and get to the point of wanting to end your life, is unimaginable. Incomparable to anything else. Like what I feel/felt was agonising enough, so I have nothing but total sympathy for those with severe cases.

I think depression in itself needs more understanding so that people will see that people with depression who do sadly kill themselves are not acting in a selfish way, it's an abnormality of the brain that absolutely engulfs a person.

[Rob!]

It's an extremely difficult question to answer actually.
I think the action itself can be seen as quite selfish. You're ending all your own problems in such a permanent way while leaving behind so much anguish and pain to your loved ones, especially those that find you.
But I don't think it's ever something that someone would do without months of internal struggle and it shows above anything why people need to talk more about this.

[thesheriff443]

I totally get your point, but when someone is absolutely ravaged with depression they don't take other people into consideration and all they want is a release and the pain they're feeling to stop, physical and mental pain. Agony, if you will.

I've suffered (and will do throughout my life on and off) with mild depression and severe anxiety, and that "MILD" depression was unbearable, so to have a severe case and get to the point of wanting to end your life, is unimaginable. Incomparable to anything else. Like what I feel/felt was agonising enough, so I have nothing but total sympathy for those with severe cases.

I think depression in itself needs more understanding so that people will see that people with depression who do sadly kill themselves are not acting in a selfish way, it's an abnormality of the brain that absolutely engulfs a person.

I totally get you!, but if those with depression don't seek help and keep it hidden those that love them can't help and will spend the rest of their life's asking themselves why didn't they see it.

If someone truly wants to kill them selves they will do it.

[Eddie.]

Nope. Though it doesn’t mean I’m encouraging it. People feeling suicidal really should get the help they need tbh...

[Twosugars]

Jonnii, thank you for your support.

The problem we have here is that the subject of the thread is too broad.
Reasons for suicide can be so varied. It's tough to compare somebody who does it in a moment of madness, say, trying to take revenge for perceived mistreatment by others (spurned lover, rebellious child, jealous spouse), people struck by sudden misfortune (bankrupcy, job loss, etc), people who are terminally ill, people with mental problems.
And even within those categories circumstances will be different and impact on others may be different.
A lonely woman kills herself quietly with sleeping pills and a plastic bag because she can't cope with her MS, a schoolboy kills himself by throwing himself off a bridge onto a busy motorway. He is bullied at school and blames whole society and wants to disrupt other people's lives in revenge. Both suicides, but not the same in their selfishness.

[Twosugars]

I totally get you!, but if those with depression don't seek help and keep it hidden those that love them can't help and will spend the rest of their life's asking themselves why didn't they see it.

If someone truly wants to kill them selves they will do it.

Agreed, if you want to kill yourself you can always do it.

As to those with depression not seeking help, life is not that simple.
Sometimes people are trapped pretending they're fine because that's what's expected of them.
Sometimes people try to seek help and are met with unhelpful or demoralised health service professionals. Sometimes depressed people cannot be persistent and eloquent enough to explain how they feel because depression diminished their cognitive skills.
I can give you some examples from my encounters with "help".
I moved from one part of London to another 6 years ago. I'd suffered from depression for the last 19 years and my records showed that. The first practice I registerd with at the new address couldn't manage to get my records transferred from the old practice for 6 months. I had to beg for every single prescription of antidepressants until they finally got my records. For the next two years it was smooth sailing. Then I started going downhill very quickly. Went to ask for a referral, a GP told me that I have nothing to be depressed about and should try his life to see what hardship is. So I changed the practice. There first doctor I saw agreed to refer me and then forgot while I waited for 5 months. Went to another who thankfully refered me straightaway. 2 months later had my assessment with a psychiatrist where I was told I have to wait up to a year to see a therapist. During that year they tinkered changing my antidepressants as nothing seemed to work anymore. Finally arrived at something that wasn't brilliant but made my life bearable. The therapy consisted of 8 1hr meetings with no possibility of extension (lack of resources). Try to get your whole outlook on life and unresolved issues sorted in 8 hours. After that psychiatrist had enough and started pressurising me gently to say I wasn't suicidal anymore. I complied and they dropped me. Am I better, yes. Am I cured, no. I'm still depressed and anxious. Sometimes I can't face the outside world. But according to them, I'm good to go.
I was persistent because I wanted to save myself for those I love. Others may not have enough strength to battle the system.

Geez, I'm giving Maru run for her money with the length of this post

[Glenn.]

Yes but as others have said, it’s unintentional.

[thesheriff443]

Members should start a depression and anxiety awareness group on here.

[kirklancaster]

Agreed, if you want to kill yourself you can always do it.

As to those with depression not seeking help, life is not that simple.
Sometimes people are trapped pretending they're fine because that's what's expected of them.
Sometimes people try to seek help and are met with unhelpful or demoralised health service professionals. Sometimes depressed people cannot be persistent and eloquent enough to explain how they feel because depression diminished their cognitive skills.
I can give you some examples from my encounters with "help".
I moved from one part of London to another 6 years ago. I'd suffered from depression for the last 19 years and my records showed that. The first practice I registerd with at the new address couldn't manage to get my records transferred from the old practice for 6 months. I had to beg for every single prescription of antidepressants until they finally got my records. For the next two years it was smooth sailing. Then I started going downhill very quickly. Went to ask for a referral, a GP told me that I have nothing to be depressed about and should try his life to see what hardship is. So I changed the practice. There first doctor I saw agreed to refer me and then forgot while I waited for 5 months. Went to another who thankfully refered me straightaway. 2 months later had my assessment with a psychiatrist where I was told I have to wait up to a year to see a therapist. During that year they tinkered changing my antidepressants as nothing seemed to work anymore. Finally arrived at something that wasn't brilliant but made my life bearable. The therapy consisted of 8 1hr meetings with no possibility of extension (lack of resources). Try to get your whole outlook on life and unresolved issues sorted in 8 hours. After that psychiatrist had enough and started pressurising me gently to say I wasn't suicidal anymore. I complied and they dropped me. Am I better, yes. Am I cured, no. I'm still depressed and anxious. Sometimes I can't face the outside world. But according to them, I'm good to go.
I was persistent because I wanted to save myself for those I love. Others may not have enough strength to battle the system.

Geez, I'm giving Maru run for her money with the length of this post

It's NOT really a long post Twosugars, but it is a beautifully honest and brilliant post. Thank you.

AS with the other honest posts on here, I am genuinely moved and more than a little disturbed.

All too often on these forums, we become so used to unconscious imagery and imagined personas created by avatars and words, that we lose sight of the fact that there are real people - humans - behind the chat and discussions.

I have been 'depressed' as I guess most people have at some times in their lives but I don't think that I have ever suffered 'Depression' of the degree being revealed here and my heart goes out to those who are suffering from this.

We are all too familiar with the increasingly common reports of medical/surgical patients being kept overnight on trolleys in corridors through a lack of hospital beds and other atrocious and unacceptable 'horror' stories due to the NHS lack of funding crisis, but experiences like yours with the lack of care from Medical profession and Psychiatrists are less well publicised but as equally enraging and SOMETHING must be done to improve this unacceptable state of affairs.

I believe wholeheartedly that discussion has a cathartic effect on me and I hope - genuinely hope - that this is the same for you and other depression sufferers on here.

My Message Box is always open should you or anyone else ever feel any need to talk - politics or shet - it does not matter.

I have been made to stop and think about my views on certain subjects by the contributions to this thread about a subject which I hitherto never thought about, and THAT in itself is a fact to be lauded.

[Mystic Mock]

I don't know if I would call it selfish, but I do get interested in what's so wrong in someone's life that they would want to kill themselves?

[Babayaro.]

I think it's actually quite a brave thing to do

[Crimson Dynamo]

I think it's actually quite a brave thing to do

maybe it would be braver to accept you have a problem and get professional help?

[Niamh.]

No I don't think it is and it upsets me when people say that like it's some frivolous decision people make. I can't even imagine how utterly low and helpless and full of despair a person must feel to get to where they think suicide is the only way to free themselves from that. My best friend committed suicide when she was 18 and I know she's not a selfish person and I wish she never got that life stealing disease, depression.

[Niamh.]

maybe it would be braver to accept you have a problem and get professional help?

With all due respect LT, a lot of people who end up committing suicide have admitted they have a problem and have gotten professional help

[Cherie]

I don't think it is black and white, I think if the person takes their life and outwardly there were no signs and they leave no note it leaves the family behind with questions that will never be answered and also at a loss as to why they couldn't help' so in some ways it can be unintentionally selfish as the person is so wrapped up in their own depression they can't take account of anyone else's feelings, just imagine if your brother, sister, mother, daughter took their life and you had no idea why? I don't know how I would cope with that

[arista]

So in light of the current storyline in coronation street, it’s got me thinking what everyone’s opinions on the subject are, Do you feel that Suicide is a selfish thing to do?



Of course , it is.
Totally.

[Crimson Dynamo]

With all due respect LT, a lot of people who end up committing suicide have admitted they have a problem and have gotten professional help

really, how do you know that?

[arista]

With all due respect LT, a lot of people who end up committing suicide have admitted they have a problem and have gotten professional help


Yes One Lady , I knew
was in Love with a Married Man
his Wife stopped her Solid

She sadly was so in love with him
and because she was stopped from seeing him,
she killed herself
Tragic.

[Niamh.]

really, how do you know that?

Well I was aware that my best friend was suffering from depression and was getting professional help before she died, I was also at a funeral very recently of a man I know who committed suicide and his close family and friends were all aware he suffered with depression and he was getting professional help.

[Niamh.]

I don't think it is black and white, I think if the person takes their life and outwardly there were no signs and they leave no note it leaves the family behind with questions that will never be answered and also at a loss as to why they couldn't help' so in some ways it can be unintentionally selfish as the person is so wrapped up in their own depression they can't take account of anyone else's feelings, just imagine if your brother, sister, mother, daughter took their life and you had no idea why? I don't know how I would cope with that

That was one thing I was really glad about after my friend died, that she'd left me a note trying to help me understand what was going on in her head and to say goodbye.

[arista]

Well I was aware that my best friend was suffering from depression and was getting professional help before she died, I was also at a funeral very recently of a man I know who committed suicide and his close family and friends were all aware he suffered with depression and he was getting professional help.


She professional help
is not enough, on its own for some folks,
Valid Points
Fine Lady.

[Niamh.]

She professional help
is not enough on its own for some folks
Valid Points
Fine Lady.

No it isn't, I do often wonder if she'd waited a bit longer because she was so young would things have gotten better for her but maybe not I don't know. 18 is so young, my own daughter just turned 18 last Monday

[Crimson Dynamo]

Well I was aware that my best friend was suffering from depression and was getting professional help before she died, I was also at a funeral very recently of a man I know who committed suicide and his close family and friends were all aware he suffered with depression and he was getting professional help.

maybe the fact that 3x more men kill themselves explains that women are more likely to seek help/talk than men?

[Cherie]

That was one thing I was really glad about after my friend died, that she'd left me a note trying to help me understand what was going on in her head and to say goodbye.

So sad for you but a note at least is closure of sorts.

[Niamh.]

maybe the fact that 3x more men kill themselves explains that women are more likely to seek help/talk than men?

Well I just gave you an example of both a man and a woman there who both seeked help. My friend also said there was alot of men in her group.

I read somewhere though that (or maybe Vicky told me this statistic) that its not that men are more inclined to suffer from depression than women or more inclined to attempt suicide but that they are more inclined to use more violent and therefore successful methods

[Crimson Dynamo]

Well I just gave you an example of both a man and a woman there who both seeked help. My friend also said there was alot of men in her group.

I read somewhere though that (or maybe Vicky told me this statistic) that its not that men are more inclined to suffer from depression than women or more inclined to attempt suicide but that they are more inclined to use more violent and therefore successful methods

Yes but anecdotal evidence is just that, I wonder if there have been any studies done?

[Niamh.]

So sad for you but a note at least is closure of sorts.

Yeah, I mean I know we all have down times where we feel sad and low for no real reason but with most people they know they'll snap out of it the next day or after a nights sleep or whatever. I just try to imagine feeling like that but not knowing if you'll ever snap out of it again. It must be truly horrendous

[Crimson Dynamo]

The current thinking on depression ( and gathering evidence apace) is that it is medical, an inflammation of the brain.

[Niamh.]

Yes but anecdotal evidence is just that, I wonder if there have been any studies done?

Yeah it's anecdotal but that's all I have I'm afraid. And I was replying to your comment about getting help and admitting you have a problem which people do do and for some that doesn't help

[Niamh.]

The current thinking on depression ( and gathering evidence apace) is that it is medical, an inflammation of the brain.

I suppose that's good news? That you can treat it properly with medication but I have heard that the current medications they prescribe can totally dampen peoples personalities and abilities to enjoy life aswell. Hopefully that will change

[Crimson Dynamo]

Coincidentally when i went to my dads grave last week I took the TL to see my G Grandfathers grave, he hung himself in his loft when he was 39

Imagine going up the ladder to your loft knowing that you were about to do that, does not bear thinking about

[Niamh.]

Coincidentally when i went to my dads grave last week I took the TL to see my G Grandfathers grave, he hung himself in his loft when he was 39

Imagine going up the ladder to your loft knowing that you were about to do that, does not bear thinking about

Yeah which is why I think that it can't be a frivolous decision too, I mean no person acting out of just selfishness will do that. You know, if that's the only way you think is going to stop the despair you're going through? It's so sad

[Crimson Dynamo]

Had an auction pal, Irish chap, 5 kids, spoke to everyone, knew everyone, lovely and friendly had banter going with all the porters and ladies in the office, in his early 40s

One day i went to my usual auction and a lady came up to me and aid did you here about Jim, i said no, she said went off into the woods by his house with a sleeping bag and pills and vodka and killed himself

I still cant quite believe that and it was 4 years ago now, awful

[arista]

No it isn't, I do often wonder if she'd waited a bit longer because she was so young would things have gotten better for her but maybe not I don't know. 18 is so young, my own daughter just turned 18 last Monday


Yes I agree very Sad loss.
So Young.

[Niamh.]

Had an auction pal, Irish chap, 5 kids, spoke to everyone, knew everyone, lovely and friendly had banter going with all the porters and ladies in the office, in his early 40s

One day i went to my usual auction and a lady came up to me and aid did you here about Jim, i said no, she said went off into the woods by his house with a sleeping bag and pills and vodka and killed himself

I still cant quite believe that and it was 4 years ago now, awful

Yeah, you always hear that too don't you, how friendly and funny and joyful people are and how it's such a shock. My friend was like that too, always the joker in the group

[Crimson Dynamo]

Yeah, you always hear that too don't you, how friendly and funny and joyful people are and how it's such a shock. My friend was like that too, always the joker in the group

this is why i think that it must be in many cases a medical condition that alters the brain and the thought process chemically

[Niamh.]

this is why i think that it must be in many cases a medical condition that alters the brain and the thought process chemically

Yeah I think you could be right. Brains are funny things.

Ugh this thread is making me feel a bit weepy. It's an interesting topic though

[Crimson Dynamo]

Crude Suicide Rate by Country 2018

Country Crude Suicide Rate Rank
Sri Lanka 35.3 suicides per 100k 1
Lithuania 32.7 suicides per 100k 2
Guyana 29 suicides per 100k 3
Mongolia 28.3 suicides per 100k 5
South Korea 28.3 suicides per 100k 4
Kazakhstan 27.5 suicides per 100k 6
Suriname 26.6 suicides per 100k 7
Belarus 22.8 suicides per 100k 8
Equatorial Guinea 22.6 suicides per 100k 9
Poland 22.3 suicides per 100k 10
Latvia 21.7 suicides per 100k 11
Hungary 21.6 suicides per 100k 12
Slovenia 21.4 suicides per 100k 13
Belgium 20.5 suicides per 100k 15
Angola 20.5 suicides per 100k 14
Ukraine 20.1 suicides per 100k 17
Russia 20.1 suicides per 100k 16
Japan 19.7 suicides per 100k 18
Estonia 18.9 suicides per 100k 19
Bolivia 18.7 suicides per 100k 20
Croatia 17.5 suicides per 100k 21
Central African Republic 17.4 suicides per 100k 22
Serbia 17 suicides per 100k 24
Uruguay 17 suicides per 100k 23
France 16.9 suicides per 100k 25
Austria 16.4 suicides per 100k 26
Finland 16.3 suicides per 100k 27
Thailand 16 suicides per 100k 28
Bulgaria 15.9 suicides per 100k 29
India 15.7 suicides per 100k 30
Sweden 15.4 suicides per 100k 32
Sierra Leone 15.4 suicides per 100k 31
Switzerland 15.1 suicides per 100k 33
Moldova 14.8 suicides per 100k 34
Swaziland 14.7 suicides per 100k 35
Trinidad And Tobago 14.6 suicides per 100k 36
United States 14.3 suicides per 100k 38
Kiribati 14.3 suicides per 100k 37
Argentina 14.2 suicides per 100k 39
Cuba 14.1 suicides per 100k 40
Portugal 13.7 suicides per 100k 41
Germany 13.4 suicides per 100k 42
Iceland 13.1 suicides per 100k 43
New Zealand 12.6 suicides per 100k 44
Slovakia 12.5 suicides per 100k 45
Denmark 12.3 suicides per 100k 48
Laos 12.3 suicides per 100k 47
Canada 12.3 suicides per 100k 46
Netherlands 11.9 suicides per 100k 51
Cameroon 11.9 suicides per 100k 50
Cambodia 11.9 suicides per 100k 49
Australia 11.8 suicides per 100k 52
Romania 11.7 suicides per 100k 55
Ireland 11.7 suicides per 100k 54
Bhutan 11.7 suicides per 100k 53
Haiti 11.2 suicides per 100k 56
Luxembourg 11.1 suicides per 100k 58
El Salvador 11.1 suicides per 100k 57
Montenegro 11 suicides per 100k 59
Norway 10.9 suicides per 100k 61
Gabon 10.9 suicides per 100k 60
South Africa 10.7 suicides per 100k 62
Zimbabwe 10.5 suicides per 100k 63
Lesotho 10.4 suicides per 100k 64
Papua New Guinea 10.3 suicides per 100k 66
Paraguay 10.3 suicides per 100k 65
Sudan 10.2 suicides per 100k 67
China 10 suicides per 100k 69
Turkmenistan 10 suicides per 100k 68
Chile 9.9 suicides per 100k 72
Nigeria 9.9 suicides per 100k 71
Singapore 9.9 suicides per 100k 70
Dr Congo 9.8 suicides per 100k 73
Botswana 9.7 suicides per 100k 74
Republic Of The Congo 9.6 suicides per 100k 75
Nicaragua 9.5 suicides per 100k 77
Togo 9.5 suicides per 100k 76
Benin 9.4 suicides per 100k 78
Mauritius 9.3 suicides per 100k 81
Seychelles 9.3 suicides per 100k 80
Uzbekistan 9.3 suicides per 100k 79
Burkina Faso 9.2 suicides per 100k 82
Chad 8.8 suicides per 100k 83
Turkey 8.7 suicides per 100k 84
Djibouti 8.6 suicides per 100k 86
Maldives 8.6 suicides per 100k 85
Spain 8.5 suicides per 100k 90
Rwanda 8.5 suicides per 100k 89
Cape Verde 8.5 suicides per 100k 88
Fiji 8.5 suicides per 100k 87
Mozambique 8.4 suicides per 100k 92
Ethiopia 8.4 suicides per 100k 91
Yemen 8.2 suicides per 100k 93
Burundi 8 suicides per 100k 94
Italy 7.9 suicides per 100k 96
Solomon Islands 7.9 suicides per 100k 95
Costa Rica 7.7 suicides per 100k 99
Namibia 7.7 suicides per 100k 98
Guinea 7.7 suicides per 100k 97
Ecuador 7.5 suicides per 100k 100
Kyrgyzstan 7.4 suicides per 100k 103
Comoros 7.4 suicides per 100k 102
Vietnam 7.4 suicides per 100k 101
Belize 7.3 suicides per 100k 104
Uganda 7.2 suicides per 100k 105
Timor Leste 7.1 suicides per 100k 106
Tanzania 7 suicides per 100k 107
Ghana 6.9 suicides per 100k 108
Dominican Republic 6.8 suicides per 100k 110
Saint Lucia 6.8 suicides per 100k 109
Georgia 6.7 suicides per 100k 112
Eritrea 6.7 suicides per 100k 111
Kenya 6.5 suicides per 100k 114
Bahrain 6.5 suicides per 100k 113
Qatar 6.4 suicides per 100k 117
South Sudan 6.4 suicides per 100k 116
Zambia 6.4 suicides per 100k 115
Brazil 6.3 suicides per 100k 120
Guinea Bissau 6.3 suicides per 100k 119
Liberia 6.3 suicides per 100k 118
Gambia 6.2 suicides per 100k 121
Colombia 6.1 suicides per 100k 123
Senegal 6.1 suicides per 100k 122
Bosnia And Herzegovina 6 suicides per 100k 126
Nepal 6 suicides per 100k 125
Malta 6 suicides per 100k 124
Mauritania 5.9 suicides per 100k 127
Vanuatu 5.8 suicides per 100k 130
Malaysia 5.8 suicides per 100k 129
Peru 5.8 suicides per 100k 128
Mali 5.7 suicides per 100k 132
Samoa 5.7 suicides per 100k 131
Oman 5.6 suicides per 100k 133
Israel 5.5 suicides per 100k 140
Afghanistan 5.5 suicides per 100k 139
Libya 5.5 suicides per 100k 138
Bangladesh 5.5 suicides per 100k 137
Malawi 5.5 suicides per 100k 136
Panama 5.5 suicides per 100k 135
Tunisia 5.5 suicides per 100k 134
Armenia 5.4 suicides per 100k 142
Somalia 5.4 suicides per 100k 141
Mexico 5 suicides per 100k 143
Morocco 4.8 suicides per 100k 144
Cyprus 4.7 suicides per 100k 146
Madagascar 4.7 suicides per 100k 145
Myanmar 4.3 suicides per 100k 149
Albania 4.3 suicides per 100k 148
Greece 4.3 suicides per 100k 147
Niger 4.1 suicides per 100k 150
Kuwait 4 suicides per 100k 152
Tajikistan 4 suicides per 100k 151
Iran 3.6 suicides per 100k 154
Honduras 3.6 suicides per 100k 153
Tonga 3.5 suicides per 100k 155
Saudi Arabia 3.4 suicides per 100k 157
Philippines 3.4 suicides per 100k 156
Azerbaijan 3.3 suicides per 100k 158
Jordan 3.2 suicides per 100k 159
Algeria 3.1 suicides per 100k 161
Lebanon 3.1 suicides per 100k 160
Iraq 3 suicides per 100k 163
Venezuela 3 suicides per 100k 162
Indonesia 2.9 suicides per 100k 165
United Arab Emirates 2.9 suicides per 100k 164
Saint Vincent And The Grenadines 2.7 suicides per 100k 167
Syria 2.7 suicides per 100k 166
Egypt 2.6 suicides per 100k 168
Guatemala 2.5 suicides per 100k 169
Pakistan 2.1 suicides per 100k 170
Sao Tome And Principe 2 suicides per 100k 171
Bahamas 1.8 suicides per 100k 172
Jamaica 1.4 suicides per 100k 173
Brunei 1.3 suicides per 100k 174
Grenada 0.5 suicides per 100k 175
Barbados 0.4 suicides per 100k 176
Antigua And Barbuda 0 suicides per 100

http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/suicide-rate-by-country/

[Niamh.]

How come the UK isn't on that list?

[Crimson Dynamo]

How come the UK isn't on that list?

i dont know


suicide rate for the UK is 16.0 per 100,000 for males and 5.0 per 100,000 for females

[Niamh.]

Looks like the Caribbean is the place to be :laugh:

[Twosugars]

It's NOT really a long post Twosugars, but it is a beautifully honest and brilliant post. Thank you.

AS with the other honest posts on here, I am genuinely moved and more than a little disturbed.

All too often on these forums, we become so used to unconscious imagery and imagined personas created by avatars and words, that we lose sight of the fact that there are real people - humans - behind the chat and discussions.

I have been 'depressed' as I guess most people have at some times in their lives but I don't think that I have ever suffered 'Depression' of the degree being revealed here and my heart goes out to those who are suffering from this.

We are all too familiar with the increasingly common reports of medical/surgical patients being kept overnight on trolleys in corridors through a lack of hospital beds and other atrocious and unacceptable 'horror' stories due to the NHS lack of funding crisis, but experiences like yours with the lack of care from Medical profession and Psychiatrists are less well publicised but as equally enraging and SOMETHING must be done to improve this unacceptable state of affairs.

I believe wholeheartedly that discussion has a cathartic effect on me and I hope - genuinely hope - that this is the same for you and other depression sufferers on here.

My Message Box is always open should you or anyone else ever feel any need to talk - politics or shet - it does not matter.

I have been made to stop and think about my views on certain subjects by the contributions to this thread about a subject which I hitherto never thought about, and THAT in itself is a fact to be lauded.

Aw, thank you Kirk for your kind and thoughtful words. And your offer of lending a sympathetic ear. :blush:

[kirklancaster]

Aw, thank you Kirk for your kind and thoughtful words. And your offer of lending a sympathetic ear. :blush:

No problem Twosugars. I mean every word mate. This has shaken me a little because I have never given this horrible illness any real thought despite a very dear friend of mine committing suicide by pouring petrol over himself in his parked van and setting himself on fire when still a young man over 35 years ago now.

He was always a little 'miserable' looking but perfectly normal to all intents and purposes and enjoyed a laugh and living, but apart from the great shock and the mentally wondering 'Why?' when he did what he did with NO warning, I never thought any more about depression.

Anytime you need to talk mate I'm here.

[Mitchell]

Not selfish at all imo

[Denver]

It is selfish but I don't think they realise this they just want to end their suffering

[Gusto Brunt]

Sorry to say it is selfish.

More so when someone kills themselves and their wife and kids.

:mad:

[Niamh.]

Sorry to say it is selfish.

More so when someone kills themselves and their wife and kids.

:mad:

Well that's murder, totally different from suicide

[Garfie]

Agreed, if you want to kill yourself you can always do it.

As to those with depression not seeking help, life is not that simple.
Sometimes people are trapped pretending they're fine because that's what's expected of them.
Sometimes people try to seek help and are met with unhelpful or demoralised health service professionals. Sometimes depressed people cannot be persistent and eloquent enough to explain how they feel because depression diminished their cognitive skills.
I can give you some examples from my encounters with "help".
I moved from one part of London to another 6 years ago. I'd suffered from depression for the last 19 years and my records showed that. The first practice I registerd with at the new address couldn't manage to get my records transferred from the old practice for 6 months. I had to beg for every single prescription of antidepressants until they finally got my records. For the next two years it was smooth sailing. Then I started going downhill very quickly. Went to ask for a referral, a GP told me that I have nothing to be depressed about and should try his life to see what hardship is. So I changed the practice. There first doctor I saw agreed to refer me and then forgot while I waited for 5 months. Went to another who thankfully refered me straightaway. 2 months later had my assessment with a psychiatrist where I was told I have to wait up to a year to see a therapist. During that year they tinkered changing my antidepressants as nothing seemed to work anymore. Finally arrived at something that wasn't brilliant but made my life bearable. The therapy consisted of 8 1hr meetings with no possibility of extension (lack of resources). Try to get your whole outlook on life and unresolved issues sorted in 8 hours. After that psychiatrist had enough and started pressurising me gently to say I wasn't suicidal anymore. I complied and they dropped me. Am I better, yes. Am I cured, no. I'm still depressed and anxious. Sometimes I can't face the outside world. But according to them, I'm good to go.
I was persistent because I wanted to save myself for those I love. Others may not have enough strength to battle the system.

Geez, I'm giving Maru run for her money with the length of this post

You've highlighted so many of the very real problems that exist in your post, Twosugars. You are showing that even someone desperately seeking help can fail to receive anything truly meaningful, and that's a massive issue.

No-one would choose suicide if there seemed to be another way out- it must be the most frightening thing in the world.

I hope you know that you are not alone, Twosugars, and that there are always people on here willing to listen and provide support, should you ever need it.