by Linda Joyce

Created on: February 22, 2009   Last Updated: October 09, 2009

Is committing suicide wrong? This is a truly difficult question, and the answer depends upon whose perspective you are looking at it from, the suicide's or the people they've left behind.

Suicide is the most shocking means of death from a human viewpoint, other than murder; and it is a subject that most people cannot handle without extreme emotional turmoil.

It is helpful to look at it in the following way. If a person desires to commit suicide, there surely must be a reason. In probably all but a few cases, the prospect of suicide is not something one would take lightly. Rather, I believe in most cases, it is contemplated for quite awhile before the actual step is taken.

The reason for suicide may not be one that others would understand or agree upon; but to the person committing the act, at that particular moment in time, it appears to make sense, the only sense there can be. Perhaps they are in intense, unrelievable pain or in the midst of severe depression that they cannot overcome. Maybe they have been ruined financially or have committed a crime that is about to be exposed. The reasons are endless, but they are unimportant.

It is easy for those related to or associated in some way with a suicide to give an opinion that they should have sought help or called a suicide hotline for counseling. But who can say what went on in their mind regarding seeking or not seeking any type of assistance with their problems?

Though the thought of suicide is mind-boggling to most people, we are affected most by the fact that it makes us face our own mortality, something none of us want to do. If we should be unfortunate enough to be related to a suicide victim, we walk around in a fog, depressed and uncomprehending; but we must ask ourselves if we are having a hard time because of the loss of our loved one or because it is a threat to us?

Then, too, we may have to face our own guilt feelings. Did we know they were depressed and having serious problems to the point of suicidal thoughts? Did we keep in contact with them? If not, it will not be easy to shake off those feelings.

Over all, I don't think suicide can be labeled "wrong." I know that according to most religions, it is considered wrong, but religions have their own agenda, so that is neither here nor there.

If a person cannot see their way to living any longer, since they are their own person, they should be allowed to do as they see fit with their body. If going on is too painful, who are we to say they should continue on their path of suffering?

Even though suicide is always shocking and mournful, we should feel a sense of relief for the victim, for, after all, this was what they chose. Even though it may be difficult, we must learn to accept it and feel a sense of closure for them, not get hung up on our own feelings that have more to do with us than them.

All we can really do to comfort ourselves is try to keep the memory of them alive from happier times.

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