Suicide is a tragic and complex phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, more than 700,000 people die by suicide every year, and many more attempt suicide1. Suicide is the result of a combination of biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors, and it is often associated with mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia2.
But who is responsible for preventing suicide? Is it the individual who suffers from mental distress, or is it the society that fails to provide adequate support and care? In this blog post, I will argue that the blame for suicide attempts should not fall on the individual alone, but on everyone they have encountered in life up to that point, including the state.
Suicide is an indicator of unhappiness
Suicide is not a rational choice, but a desperate act of escape from unbearable pain. As one of the leading experts on suicide, Edwin Shneidman, put it, "Suicide is not a disease; rather, it is a symptom of a disease, namely, psychic pain"3. Suicide is an indicator of unhappiness, of a lack of meaning and purpose in life, of a sense of isolation and alienation from others.
Suicide is also a biological phenomenon, as it involves the disruption of the brain’s normal functioning. Research has shown that suicidal behavior is influenced by genetic factors, neurochemical imbalances, hormonal fluctuations, and brain abnormalities4. For example, low levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, impulse control, and aggression, have been linked to increased risk of suicide.
However, suicide is not only a matter of biology, but also of psychology and sociology. As Shneidman argued, “Suicide is best understood not as an illness with social and psychological aspects, but as a social and psychological phenomenon with biological aspects”. In other words, suicide is influenced by the individual’s personal history, personality, coping skills, beliefs, values, and expectations, as well as by the social and environmental context in which they live.
Humans are social animals and need social contact
Humans are social animals and need social contact to thrive. Social relationships provide us with a sense of belonging, identity, security, and support. They also buffer us from stress, enhance our well-being, and protect us from mental and physical illness.
However, many people experience social isolation, loneliness, and rejection, which can have detrimental effects on their mental health. Social isolation is defined as the lack of meaningful and satisfying social interactions, while loneliness is the subjective feeling of being alone or disconnected from others. Rejection is the experience of being excluded, ignored, or devalued by others.
Social isolation, loneliness, and rejection can increase the risk of suicide by impairing the individual’s self-esteem, self-worth, and sense of belonging. They can also reduce the individual’s access to social support, which is a key protective factor against suicide. Moreover, they can trigger negative emotions, such as sadness, anger, shame, and guilt, which can fuel suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
The blame should not fall on the individual, but on everyone they have encountered in life up to that point, including the state
Suicide is not a personal failure, but a social problem. The individual who attempts suicide is not the sole agent of their fate, but the product of their interactions with others and with the society at large. Therefore, the blame for suicide attempts should not fall on the individual, but on everyone they have encountered in life up to that point, including the state.
The state has a responsibility to protect and promote the mental health of its citizens, by providing adequate and accessible mental health services, by reducing stigma and discrimination, by preventing violence and abuse, by ensuring social justice and human rights, and by fostering a culture of hope and resilience.
The state also has a duty to prevent suicide, by implementing effective suicide prevention strategies, such as restricting access to lethal means, promoting awareness and education, screening and treating high-risk groups, enhancing crisis intervention and postvention, and supporting research and evaluation.
However, the state alone cannot prevent suicide. Suicide prevention is a collective effort that requires the involvement and collaboration of multiple sectors and stakeholders, such as health care, education, media, justice, religion, and civil society. Everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide, by being aware, compassionate, and supportive of those who are struggling with mental distress, by encouraging them to seek help, and by offering them hope and resources.
Conclusion
Suicide is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that cannot be reduced to a single cause or factor. Suicide is an indicator of unhappiness, of a lack of connection and meaning in life. Suicide is influenced by biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors, and it is the result of the interaction between the individual and their context. Therefore, the blame for suicide attempts should not fall on the individual, but on everyone they have encountered in life up to that point, including the state. Suicide prevention is a shared responsibility that requires the commitment and cooperation of all members of society.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is available 24/7, free and confidential, for anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You are not alone, and there is hope.
1: World Health Organization. Suicide: one person dies every 40 seconds 2: National Institute of Mental Health. Suicide Prevention 3: Shneidman, E. S. (1993). Suicide as psychache: A clinical approach to self-destructive behavior. Jason Aronson. 4: Courtet, P., & Olié, E. (2019). The neurobiology of suicide. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(1), 88-90. : [Mann, J. J., & Currier, D. M. (2010). A review of prospective studies of biologic predictors of suicidal behavior in mood disorders. Archives of suicide research, 14(1), 3-16.] : [Shneidman, E. S. (1998). Perspectives on suicidology: Further reflections on suicide and psychache. Suicide and Life‐Threatening Behavior, 28(3), 245-250.] : [Uchino, B. N. (2009). Understanding the links between social support and physical health: A life-span perspective with emphasis on the separability of perceived and received support. Perspectives on psychological science, 4(3), 236-255.] : [Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2010). Loneliness matters: a theoretical and empirical review of consequences and mechanisms. Annals of behavioral medicine, 40(2), 218-227.] : [Leary, M. R., & Schreindorfer, L. S. (2017). The role of low self-esteem in emotional and behavioral problems: Why is low self-esteem dysfunctional?. Journal of personality and social psychology, 113(5), 671.] : [O’Connor, R. C., & Nock, M. K. (2014). The psychology of suicidal behaviour. The Lancet Psychiatry, 1(1), 73-85.] : [Baumeister, R. F. (1990). Suicide as escape from self. Psychological review, 97(1), 90.] : [World Health Organization. Mental health: strengthening our response] : [World Health Organization. Preventing suicide: a global imperative] : [World Health Organization. LIVE LIFE: an implementation guide for suicide prevention in countries] : [National Suicide Prevention Lifeline]