As a person who has recently overcome a months-long battle with major depressive disorder, I am appalled at the way many, even on ATRL, judge and stigmatize suicide. Suicide, in my opinion, is not a selfish act, nor one that should be met with so much opposition that it's rarely talked about in public.

At many times throughout my clinical depression, I seriously contemplated suicide, going as far as to make a detailed plan, note, and almost arranged a timing for it. It was not an act of selfishness, nor a cry for help. It was the only possible way I could see to relieve the overbearing torture of existence. I had been to counseling, on multiple medications, and struggled with depression for months, and nothing was working. To see people look at that and call it selfish or judge me for my actions makes me furious, and I see it happening with Robin Williams' death and even on ATRL yesterday with the "Is suicide selfish?" thread.

That aside, I created this to discuss WHY people judge and stigmatize suicide, and hope to answer any questions that may bring knowledge to those who ask. I don't ask for people to change their mindsets on the issue, as it is controversial and people have deeply-ingrained opinions about it, but I ask for you to maintain an open mind and welcome all opinions, and I will, too.

Mental illness in general is stigmatized, and that is due to ignorance.

People don't take "invisible" diseases as seriously as physical ones.

Because people who haven't lived through depression themselves or seen it in loved ones are ignorant about how serious it is as an illness. They can't relate and therefore judge, not understanding it's not "being sad" in the same way a mentally well person is sad. It's complete misery. Mental health awareness is getting better, though

People don't understand. Depression hurts. It's hurts like hell. It's mental anguish. Suicide is just a way to escape all that pain.

People don't understand what depression is. They really don't, and that's the issue. So be sure to educate people whenever you have the chance, and explain it as clearly and simply as possible - starting in this thread.

I agree

General ignorance and intolerance.
Mental illness comes into play with most, if not all, suicides. It's terrible because instead of helping people who are battling issues, people rather just insult people for their problems.
Look at how people treated/treat Britney and insult her mental status. Is that really purposeful? Even with other celebrities (people making fun of Cher for her dyslexia), people really have no limits.
The way they subjugate people for their issues is extremely awful. It's heartbreaking the words people throw around (the r word, psycho, crazy) as if they have no repercussions.

to an outsider looking in, most of them see it as a selfish act because the person who commits suicide "isn't thinking about the people who love them and how their death will affect them" but that's because they just don't know what that person is going through. contrary to popular belief, depression isn't just label for when you're having a sad time, it's a mental defect. if it goes untreated or poorly treated, it will alter the way you think, the way you interact with the world in front of you, and when it's severe enough it can cause you to rationalize suicide.

They just don't understand.

As someone who has also struggled with major depression my whole life, I've had close encounters but thinking of losing the people around me forever managed to take me out of it. But I can understand why someone could feel they just couldn't. Feel sympathy, don't judge. If you can't understand, then just love and forgive.

Exactly. The selfish ones are the those who want to keep someone alive despite their misery. Suicide is never the answer though.

Ignorance.

Exactly.

I've always scorned people who can't wrap their heads around suicide, or who hate people who do it. I personally believe that if a person sees no escape from the pain they feel, or if they have no hope to get out of a bad situation, it is perfectly acceptable to end their own lives. Sometimes the "self" becomes a burden, and many times life does not get better.

When all is said and done, life is a solitary experience, in which we all feel and think independent of anyone else. It is a person's prerogative to do whatever they want with their own lives. Other people will judge your actions, regardless of the intent.

It is a selfish act in the end.

I have suffered in the past (recently overcame it) with major depression. I hated my life, and wished that I never existed, but never seriously contemplated the act of suicide because I knew that my parents and family members would be in greater pain than I currently was if I decided to take my own life. I understand that suicide is seen as a way to escape all the pain that one feels. Believe me, I have felt that pain. It hurts like hell. But in the end, suicide is selfish, because although your pain may seem insurmountable it would be nothing in comparison to the pain that the people who truly love you would feel. Which essentially means that if you are willing to commit the act of suicide, you are unwilling to reasonably consider the sheer amount of pain you will cause to others. Effectively and ultimately, only being concerned about yourself.