Thirteen Reasons Why Thirteen Reasons Why question


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Is suicide selfish?
Karen Karen (last edited Jul 18, 2011 07:40PM ) Jul 18, 2011 11:22AM
I have my own answer to this question, but I'm curious to see what other opinions are out there.

If anyone's curious (or if anyone wants something to argue about), I don't think it's selfish at all. I think it's the worst solution to anyone's problems, because taking your life isn't a solution at all. But I can't find it in my heart to think that people who commit suicide are selfish, or weak. Everyone reacts differently to stress. It's a fact. Personalities are widely varying, and that means that some people can't deal with stress that other people can. For everyone out there who can deal with everything life throws at them, there's someone out there who can't. And that's not weakness, it's just the truth. So no, I don't think suicide is selfish. I think it's tragic and depressing, and I think it just goes to show how fragile we humans can be sometimes.



I don't think suicide is selfish, although I can certainly understand why other people might. I struggled a lot with depression and self-injury and suicidal ideation when I was in high school, and it felt like...I would describe it as feeling like you've fallen down a very deep, very dark hole. And the longer you're in that hole, the harder it is to figure out how to climb out. And then when the idea of suicide pops into your head -- the idea of just being able to stop, to make it all go away -- it's like suddenly, there's a rope ladder there, and it's the only way you're making it out of that hole. You pin all your hopes and dreams on that rope ladder, because you just want out. And I knew my parents would be devastated, but I really felt, at the time, like they'd be better off without me. Like without me around, they wouldn't have this human black hole dragging them down. Like Aisha said up there, "If it's your life it is your choice what you do with it," and I can't speak for anyone else, but that's definitely how I felt. Like, I didn't ask to be put here, I didn't ask to be born, I didn't ask to feel miserable every day of my life.
And the problem is that when that's happening to you, especially when you're a teenager, you just feel so alone...I was lucky enough to get into counselling (sp? whatever...) shortly after I graduated high school and I swear it saved my life, but it's hard, when you're young and you're depressed and you feel isolated, to take that step and talk to someone, a friend or an adult you trust or whoever, about what's going on. But there is always someone to listen to you. Nobody is ever as alone as they feel.
So, no, I don't think suicide is at all selfish, but I don't think it's the only way out, either.


I think it's interesting that many of you are adamant that suicide isn't selfish, and in the subsequent supporting of your opinion, it sounds like you are defending a person's right to death.
I think it's pretty obvious that suicide is selfish. Not in a negative way, as I assume most people are taking that word, but more neutral. A selfish act is committed with only one's own well being in mind. The opinions, reactions, and emotions of everyone else in the world are null, and that is exactly what Hannah experienced when she killed herself. The word 'selfish' can also describe people being entitled or bratty or immature, but I don't think that's the true meaning, and I don't think suicide falls into that category. But at its most basic, suicide is selfish.

U 25x33
Sally Certainly those left behind may feel suicide is selfish, you're angry. It's obvious you've never suffered from depression, I have. I contemplated suic ...more
Feb 20, 2018 10:46AM · flag
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Autumncandy I think it's selfish to demand people to keep living. I mean, you all haven't seen the perspective of a suicidal person. Living can be a good and happ ...more
May 20, 2022 11:52AM · flag

deleted member (last edited Oct 25, 2011 12:48PM ) Oct 25, 2011 12:21PM   3 votes
I think not. Well, I mean, if you don't have a reason, and you just feel sorry for yourself, then yes. But no, not usually, even that has exceptions. I don't think it's selfish, it's a choice, and if you want your life to end.. Then you do. Maybe it's a little if you don't think about it, don't tell anyone, and don't get help. The people that are saying it is selfish because your loved ones would miss you.. Well, why didn't those loved ones notice the depression, why didn't they try to help. I mean, I know some people don't tell, but they do change.. So loved ones should notice. Plus, maybe ose loved ones helped cause it.. Even without trying to. Anyways, like I said, it's a choice.. Some people just think suicide is the answer. There are others, but it's understandable, and isn't selfish..


deleted member Mar 18, 2013 01:01AM   2 votes
My personal oppinion is, that it is selfish that OTHER PEOPLE find it selfish for a person to take his/her own life.
There is nothing more personal than your own death og noone else should have a say in when you want to begin it.


I strongly believe that suicide is not selfish. While some argue that it leaves loved ones in a state of pain and hurt and suffering, wouldn't it also be considered selfish if a person was forced to live a life they don't want for the sake of their friends and family? If you truly loved someone wouldn't you want their pain to end instead of imposing yourself on them and guilting them into staying alive to suffer just because you want it so? And many people can't judge others for their reasons. Some reasons can appear superficial or silly. Some reviews for Thirteen Reasons Why have stated that Hannah's reasons weren't good enough. But we can't judge because its different for everybody. Just like you can't compare Hannah's problems to those of an unfortunate child in Africa who, although might have it worse, still has the will to live. It doesn't reflect a person's strength.
Furthermore, who is to say that someone's suffering is temporary? How can you be so certain? How can anyone? Maybe it will get better. Maybe it won't. Some don't want to take the chance. And many will say that most likely it will get better, and perhaps they are right. But what if that person rejects the will to live on because they just can't stand life even with the good things they know will come with it.

Here is a quote from the novel Cloud Atlas that sums up my perspective beautifully:
"People pontificate, 'Suicide is selfishness.'...Oafs argue this specious line for varying reasons: to evade fingers of blame, to impress one's audience with one's mental fiber, to vent anger, or just because one lacks the necessary suffering to sympathize. Cowardice has nothing to do with it--suicide takes considerable courage....No what's selfish is to demand another to endure an intolerable existence, just to spare families, friends, and enemies a bit of soul-searching" (Mitchell 469-470).


Okay I am 21, I have honestly been through a lot in my life. Have attempted Suicide twice.
Therefore I know that when you are going through something that is just that bad, then you don't think about other people and how they would feel if you were to actually commit suicide. All you are wanting to do is find a way out. A way to escape all of your problems.
I also suffer from Major Depression therefore I am also very educated when it comes to knowing what all is going through the mind.
Most of the time somebody is just thinking Suicide because they have already tried in there own way to get some help. Or to voice there problems.
It is a very uncomfortable in a way for someone that is contemplating suicide to deliberately tell some one that they are having problems, these thoughts etc.....
Therefore it is NOT and I repeat is Not selfish for somebody to commit suicide. They normally feel helpless. Like there is no other way to cure a temporary problem.
In the book I think that Hannah was just tired of trying to live up to other peoples expectations and wasn't able to handle it anymore. She was tired of trying to act like somebody she wasn't. So she killed herself. Her own way out. But really, here family should have paid more attention, She gave them plenty of hints that she was going through a tough trial in her life when she was finally realizing where she fit in life.
But that is also my recommendation to people. Your friends if they are your true friends then they are most likely giving you plenty of hints as to there feelings if they are thinking about committing suicide. If this happens please get help.
If this is you I am really good at listening and giving advise. You may not know me but I will definitely listen to you and be there for you. Don't hesitate to private message me.


This could go in either direction. People could think it's selfish because the person who died wasn't thinking about anybody but himself and how everybody around them would feel when that he or she is gone. But, if someone was to commit suicide in the first place, the people around them would be portrayed as "selfish" because they didn't care about what he or she was doing or how they felt. They didn't spend their time making sure everybody was okay and they obviously didn't talk to the person. I don't think it's selfish of the person to commit suicide only because the people around them were the selfish ones.


(I haven't read this book. Sorry) So, I am doing some research on this subject, because I'm suicidal. I'm also dealing with untreated severe bi-polar depression. I don't tell people because I don't want them to be burdened by it. I've seen how people react when I try to talk about it. It makes people really uncomfortable. I think about it, in the quiet that is my life, a lot. I think about all the people that will be affected by it. The timing I would need. Things I need.

So, before you go giving me life speeches or calling me names, here is my reason:

I walk around with this thought in my head most of the time I'm awake: "One day I'm going to die alone, forgotten about and unloved. Probably homeless on the street."

Sometimes, when I'm holding a knife, I feel this real strong urge to slit my wrist.

No matter what I've tried, nothing helps. I've tried therapy and medication. Surrounding myself with friends. Living with people. Helping others. Making people laugh.

So, am I being selfish? Life holds no real meaning to me. There really isn't a point to life. Perception. It's only and actually about perspective. That, and delusion.

I know who it will all hurt. I know some people will hate me. I know my kids (3) will grow up never being able to figure out why I wasn't in their lives.

And, knowing all of this, acknowledging all of this, doesn't help.

The only thing that keeps me from trying most ways is living through a failed attempt.

So, I'm doing my research.

So, am I being selfish?


i don't think suicide is selfish at all. and when people say Hannah is an exception. I don't agree because I think most people who commit suicide feel exactly the way hannah feels. like they have no one to rely on and thats why theyre commiting suicide.


I think the people committing suicide are so lost that they don't realize they are being selfish. Also I agree with Kathleen, they don't realize the impact of their actions to the people they leave behind.


Ravinci (last edited Jun 29, 2013 11:04AM ) Jun 29, 2013 08:01AM   0 votes
Most of the you guys have quite narrow perception of what suicide is really about, the endless debate between whether suicide is selfish or not, or weak misleads people into believing that suicide has really anything to do with selfishness or weakness. For I can guarantee you suicidal person is least concerned whether his act of physical self-annihilation is perceived as selfishness or weakness, suicidal person does not care whether he is being perceived as selfish or weak, that's really not what concerns the person most.

People who commit suicide have already lost the primal fear of death; the driving force that empowers our psyche (or soul whatever you like to call it) the sole power that keep us alive by any means necessary, the same force that empowers an antelope to fight for it’s survivor against the predators in wildlife, is the same that gives the man will to fight for his life and survivor against the danger of life whether it be in form of cancer or another man threatening our very existence. The Instinct of Self-Preservation is deep rooted within us but without fear of death Self-Preservation would cease to function so efficiently.

Now when loss of fear of death is coupled with depression or traumatic event in life that spirals one deeper and deeper down the bottomless pit of darkness and misery and there is no changes in circumstances the suicide becomes plausible option over more painful one; that of remaining in same situation. So is this act selfish act? Surely you could say so, but consider following irony the person who ended up in this situation probably was once least selfish person out there, who was always willing to take care of the needs of her/his loved ones and had they been selfish enough back then to consider their own life and wellbeing more valuable than those surrounding him/her no matter how close or dear, then that person could have been saved from suicide.

So how dare someone judge this person as selfish one in derogatory term? Most of the people who judge such people would give in to the self-preservation instinct that would push them to walk over every single obstacle on their path to get what they want, whether it’s object or something living like another human, if these suicidal people would choose to do the same and act as selfishly without giving darn concern about others wellbeing they would indeed succeed and be awarded instead of ending up finding themselves on road toward physical self-destruction.

This subject bears much debate but I would like to add one last thing, it’s very possible for someone who commits suicide do so out of caring for others, this is usually done so to impact positive changes in society or family, the person can consider suicide in form of desperate “wake up” call to wake up people around them and to save others from being inflicted the same pain and suffering the person had to endure. In this form suicide is no longer about escape from painful reality, it’s transformed into act of self sacrifice, for there there is still desire to live.

I do not approve suicide, especially the ones which are committed by teenagers over trivial things, and no-one should consider suicide just because life seems to be hard, To be alive is not about fighting against the death, death is always at hand when ever we want to grab it’s hand it is willing to embrace us and take us with it, all we need is “just to do it” either by jumping from the roof or taking over dose etc…but the real challenge and fight is against the Life itself, against all it’s pains and sufferings, against all it’s obstacles and troubles it hurdles at us, it’s about overcoming Life itself.

Btw; It just hit me as to why most people have such a shallow perception of what Suicide is about I had no idea this "Thirteen Reasons Why" was actually a book about the suicidal person called Hannah (even though I saw the name flashing back and forward on this discussion board) and what she left behind for people who cared about her. I have not read the book itself, but according to the summary of the story and the reviews I could conclude this person the Hannah was rather NARCISSISTIC PSYCHOPATH who would blackmail people and basically make everyone pay for every bad choice she has made in her life instead of taking responsibility of it. And Hannah's type of people would not hesitate to use the most cruel form of manipulation there is; threatening people who love her that she would commit suicide just to blackmail and break their "spirit" so they give in into her manipulations, but I assure you they would rarely ever dare to pull that trigger in REALITY, in real life their chance of pulling that trigger is close to zero unlike in this fiction story. This Books really perverts what suicide is about, and turns it into deliberate tool pain causing and manipulation.


Suicide is the ultimate, final, ego-fulfilling and ego-destroying, all-consuming act. It is selfish. It is the most selfish act, but I'm using "selfish" not like you're thinking, likely. Not "selfish" in the sense of "mine!"; but "selfish" in the sense of "why?". Suicide must be selfish because it involves one person to the exclusion of every thing and every one else. Suicide blots out everything but the enormous self. That's why it's so horrifying. The aloneness. What the suicide needs to think about is that he or she is never alone because he or she can control his or her world, to some degree. There lies all the pain and joy and reality of living.


I think trying to put it in terms like "selfish" is the wrong way of putting it because that implies that you are thinking rationally at the time. Depressing and suicidial thoughts are diseases in that your mind isn't working the way it normally would whether from outside influences or chemical imbalances or the two working together against you.


Suicide is selfish. You are leaving behind a mess of broken hearts and tears. You leave behind a mother, father, brother or sister, aunts or uncles, grandmothers or grandfathers...no matter what you will leave behind someone that truly cares for you. I am not criticizing anyone who has thought of it or who has done it, I am just stating my opinion.

I feel sorry for those who do believe that this is the only solution, even though it's obviously not, because they are in a dark place in their lives and do not see what they do have rather than what they don't have or what is going on. Instead of feeling angry or upset about I don't know getting bullied or not having friends or whatever reason, they should focus on the light side of things. They are healthy, they are strong, they can overcome this and can prove their wrong doers that they can succeed in life.

Do not kill yourself over stupid people, prove them wrong, and that they are the stupid ones for treating you, a human being, that way, by succeeding in life.


I think that everyone has the right to decide what to do with their own life and body. . . .however. . .in certain respects I do think suicide is selfish. For example young people who commit suicide will never fathom that they are leaving behind a legacy of misery and pain for their loved ones and parents in particular will never have another fully happy day in their lives again.


yes and no is selfish because I think about all the other people around you your mom your dad your brother your sisters your friend anyone that can possibly care about you what would they do if they knew that you into your life. but I also understand sometimes the burden of life is so hard in da seems like death is so sweet to the thought of it. so that's pretty much my answer Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher


Is it selfish to commit suicide? It definitely is.
Is saying someone is selfish for committing suicide selfish as well? In my opinion, it is.

Let's just say I had a dear friend who committed suicide. What would I be left with?

"Why did she do that?"
"What did I ever do?"
"This is all my fault."
"She's selfish, what did anyone ever do to her?"
"She didn't have to end her life, there are other solutions."
"I would helped if I knew."
"God, I hate myself. If I had done something to stop her, things wouldn't go this far." and bla bla bla.

How would you react? Think about it.

But wait a minute. Am I not being selfish just asking those questions? I am. I am being so upset, so bothered with my own feelings; hating her on being selfish, and torn because I've lost a friend and it may or may not have been my fault. I'd probably be blaming myself and missing her miserably. I would have all sorts of emotions flowing through chaotically and finally, I would be sad. I would miss my dear friend, and I would be sad. Why do we not consider that being selfish? Please tell me.

Now here's a another thought: What triggers a person into committing suicide?
Lots of things, like Self pity.

Constantly feeling stupid, unworthy, ugly, fat, at fault or whatever causes self-hate. I could hate myself so much for countless reasons. And this goes on and on: I could continue hating myself for hating myself and then hate myself for never doing anything about it and go on living like this; suffering from your own mind and thats the cycle of self-pity. Selfish as well, but what is there to do about it? Its not very easy either.

I guess everyone is selfish. Humans need to be selfish, and they are. It's how we all survive. In my opinion, a discussion about this should stop. In life it happens, it affects us but we have to move on right? Judging it, calling it selfish or stupid isn't the right thing to do in my opinion. And like in this book, Clay moves on and learns. He's lost a friend already, Hannah was selfish for committing suicide, he is selfish for not really accepting it. But he can try to prevent it from happening, and so he is.


absolutey not. people who have or have attempted suicide have tried or have done it because they see no other way out and believe its the only way to cope or deal with pain in there life. its not because mostly everyone dosent know what it feels like to be that depressed that taking there own life is the only move


People that are mentally healthy do not take their own life.

One can say let them get help. There is still a stigma to getting mental help. While some advances have been made there is so much we don't understand to really help so many.


I think it is selfish.
I don't know much about suicide, so feel free to disregard my opinion, but I really thought Hannah was selfish. Suicide is selfish because the person is only putting their own interests in mind when they kill themselves. They are not thinking about how it will affect the people close to them after they are gone.
So suicide seems quite selfish.
But then Hannah decided to send a bunch of tapes to all the people who she believes were associated with her suicide, furthermore supporting my belief that she selfishly killed herself. You see, Clay was fine with his life before he received the tapes. He was content and continued living his life as normal after Hannahs suicide. But Hannah had to send out those stupid tapes, and made Clay sit through almost the entire thing before his name came up and it turned out he never did anything bad to her in the first place.
And Tony! Poor Tony found them on his doorstep as well and had to sit through listening to the whole thing before he realised that he had the box of spare tapes.
Hannah made everyone on those tapes sit through possible guilt and regret for what they had done, even if some of them didn't do anything directly to Hannah to offend her. And now they have to live the rest of their lives wondering whether Hannah would still be alive if they had not done what they had.
Suicide is selfish in itself. Then Hannah sent out those tapes. Even more selfish.

Suicide doesn't take away the pain, Hannah. It gives it to someone else. Or in your case, 14 other people (including Tony).


ok i can see how people think its selfish, and i think in some places it could be a selfish-ish chose of a way out your problems. (as in the person is depressed and has never had help)

but in other places i doth think it is.
If a person has had help, and has worked on "staying" and really can't deal with life i dont think its right for someone to hold that against that person. I am sure that for people that has lived for a wile and has had help and still decide to end it, they have considered their loved ones.
I know that makes very little sense but i think if a person has had help and tried living and still ends everything its their chose, and the living have to respect that. I mean that person killed themselves because they were that unhappy, and that takes a lot (no i am not saying its right but it happened)

One of my friends just lost some one this why the person was old enough to be a parent and had a good life but still was unhappy and is no longer with us, i personally can't find it in me to say that person was "selfish". I do feel bad for them that they were that unhappy.

And for people out there i do think every person should do all they can to help people in that place, that state of mind, wether its talking to that person or telling someone els.


so basically it depends on the person
and defiantly its the solution, its the worst solution and the last.


My main problem with Thirteen Reasons Why is that it makes people who have commited suicide/attempted suicide, look bad. Most people who have actually felt suicidal are nothing like Hannah. You don't kill yourself because of "Reasons", Its not that simple. Suicide is not selfish, most people actually believe that everyone else would be better off without them, but Hannah does it to prove a point, to hurt other people and its bogus.


it depends on the situation. I mean usually people suicide because they can't take it anymore and such and often its because they are being mistreated by parents or by friends. (maybe both). but if they are not being treated poorly by either the parents or the friends, I do think its selfish. but not 100% selfish, if that makes sense


I think you can look at it both ways I have often wondered and looked at it from the suicide's perspective and it dawned on me that it is sometimes selfish for loved ones to want them to live so they don't have to deal with the heartbreak. one time I was visiting a person I knew at a suicide center where they are locked up until the staff can make sure that they wont harm themselves. and it made me wonder why are they helping them? no joke the nurses were horrible and with people that were already down I doubt their demeanor helped the patients. i thought these people have nothing left to live for which is why they are seeking to kill themselves who are we to stop them? why do we care that they live? why do we want them to live? so they can continue suffering? idk but i know that it it is selfish on both parts


I don't believe that suicide is selfish. I feel that people are free to do what they will with their individual lives.

That being said, If it were up to me they would see a mental health professional before they do anything as permanent as suicide, but the unreality of life is that some people are just born to die. Yes, most suicidal people CAN be saved but there are always those few whom death would be a mercy to.

For me, having the option of suicide is liberating. I can go out into the world knowing that whatever happens, whatever I face, whatever mistakes I make I will always have death looming over me, ready to free me at any given moment.

Death shouldn't be feared, its an eventuality that everyone will face. At one point everyone who is alive right now will be dead. Now, if you feel your life is so terrible that you're better off dead? I'd say try to get some help first, if that doesn't work then yeah, go ahead its YOUR life.

You WILL die someday. You can cut to the chase now, or you can take as much happiness and joy as you can from your life before it is inevitably taken away. No matter what, the ending is the same for everyone. Death.


Mochaspresso (last edited Dec 14, 2015 09:15AM ) Nov 30, 2014 05:56AM   0 votes
No, but Hannah's suicide in this book was, imo. Do we contemplate this question when we think of suicide bombers? Usually not. Why? Because they also intentionally hurt other people in the process of taking their own lives. What was Hannah trying to accomplish with her tapes?

In general, I don't think suicide is selfish, but I do think Hannah's suicide in this book was an act of selfishness very much akin to that of a suicide bomber. Some people are concerned with ending their own suffering and through no fault of their own, simply fail to consider those they left behind. Hannah is the complete opposite. She's vengeful in her tapes and deliberate about wanting others to suffer after she's gone. I also think her's was an act of selfishness because it's clear that she's spiraling, irrational and that some of the people that she sends the tapes to may not have actually done the things that she is accusing them of.


edited to reply to Daniel. (I can't reply to him directly in this thread...)

Please please please talk to someone. Anyone. Even if it's just making an annonymous call to a suicide prevention hotline.


I think that suicide is selfish, very selfish, just like I think speeding too fast getting in a wreck and dying is selfish. However, I do not think that the people suffering from depression are entirely capable of seeing the bigger picture of how selfish it is. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem and I think a big issue surrounding suicide is mental illness. It is one of a taboo topic and people who do not or have not experienced it in any capacity really is incapable of understanding mental illnesses.


I don't think it's selfish, although I do think it is a weak way out of a situation/problem, but who am I to judge? I do not know how or what they are feeling.


Suicied is only selfish if there is so one to hurt with you being gone if you are truly alone (witch is very rare) then killing you self is not selfish stupid yes but selfish no. But for the most part it is selfish taking a way out and leaving every one else to carry your baggage that not fare ( not that life ever is but) just to leave pass the weight on to others that might be one straw away from breaking to nobody can just know someone that killed themselves and be fine so yes suiced is selfish


I have attempted to kill myself. I don't believe that suicide is take the easy way out and I think that sometimes it is the only way to feel better.


I'm torn. I think it is when there are people who care. Your parents who raised you and love you, or for some who have kids that need you. Other family and friends. Theyre gonna be hurt and wonder so many questions and blame themselves...BUT, I can understand sometimes feeling itd be so much easier not being here :/.


I don't think its a good idea. I think anyone can get help and it sucks for the loved ones of the person but I don't think its selfish. To feel so helpless and terrible to the point of hating yourself and life is terrible. To want to end that makes plenty of sense. I don't think suicide selfish but it's never the answer. It may eliminate the possibility of life getting worse but it also has eliminates the possibility of it getting better.


I think it's selfish because if it's your life and you choose to end it, then that's your choice. I think in some cases it's good to think of your wants before anyone else's because if living is painful for you, you don't have to continue suffering because of how other people will react. But sometimes, being selfish is okay because it's your life and you decide on what you want to do with it. You don't always have to base it on other people.


It's selfish to think it's selfish.


No it's not selfish our human instinct is to service if someone is so depressed they can over ride that instinct then it's heartbreaking not selfish


I don't think suicide is selfish, but at the same time I do not condone it and I think that people use it as the easy way out. When I took a look at what Hannah did, and why, I don't really think suicide was necessary. Now I know, who am I to say if someone committed suicide for a reason or just for the fun of it? What I am saying is that Hannah went through something that almost every high schooler goes through. So was it really necessary to kill herself and then leave behind this big mess for everyone to clean up? Killing herself was her choice, and no one is taking that away from her, but leaving behind those tapes was on the brink of evil.


I don't think it's black and white. Some suicides are due to a bad depression. But people need to realize that today's kids are VERY selfish and self absorbed. And before we blame them, remember they came out of the womb the same as a hundred year old did. Parenting has changed, and has created overly confident kids. Depression is NOT THE ONLY thing that makes one want to end their life. We NEED to figure that out. If you are so self absorbed, when the going gets tough, you will cave. In the perfect storm of course. But we have too many non existent parents, no more rules, no jobs around the house. And dare I say, no more religion.


I don't think it's black and white. Some suicides are due to a bad depression. But people need to realize that today's kids are VERY selfish and self absorbed. And before we blame them, remember they came out of the womb the same as a hundred year old did. Parenting has changed, and has created overly confident kids. Depression is NOT THE ONLY thing that makes one want to end their life. We NEED to figure that out. If you are so self absorbed, when the going gets tough, you will cave. In the perfect storm of course. But we have too many non existent parents, no more rules, no jobs around the house. And dare I say, no more religion.


It may be a little selfish..But others must understand that sometimes the problems kill someone’s soul..and he or she is just a body so thats why they decide to kill the body too...we must really gelp and pay attention to the people around us..Suicide and depression have very obvious signs


Suicide is NOT selfish. I know there are people who think it is, but those people clearly have never experienced, and cannot understand, the state of mind one is in when suicide seems like the right choice.
I feel like those who think it's selfish have no understanding of depression or what it's like, and don't want to. It's easier to say, "Well, it's selfish."
Try to understand: it is a dark place, like in the heart of a cave with no light. It's not about consideration, what would so-and-so think about this. There's only one thought in this state, one only, and it is about the release of all that pain. A way out.
Try to think of the worst pain imaginable, and what you would do to make it go away. Then you might be halfway to understanding.


I had two brothers that committed suicide a week apart from each other, why? Who really knows but God. Selfish? Who are you or I or anyone of us in here to judge why someone commits suicide. Just sayin'!!


Nektarios (last edited Dec 26, 2017 02:48AM ) Dec 26, 2017 02:00AM   0 votes
I once heard a person born into wealth say 'won't don't these homeless people just buy a house and live normally?' .... and now I hear people say.. why don't people contemplating suicide just work out their issues?


A suicidal person's mindset is that the world would be better off without them. You can use the world "selfish" to describe them, but only if you use it objectively. Someone in very deep depression should not be blamed in any way for that depression


I don't think suicide is selfish at all. I've been there. Suffered major depression. Attempted suicide. And I can tell you, people are not in their right mind when they commit/attempt suicide. They're engulfed by the pain and loneliness and want it to end. And for all those who say you should think about your "loved ones" sometimes those 'loved ones' are part of/ the reason you commit suicide. For people who say suicide is selfish and haven't experienced depression, I think you have no say in this.


I believe it's selfish that someone or a certain group of people can cause someone to commit suicide then claim that suicide is a selfish act.


As someone who has dealt with suicide on a personal level (4 separate cases), I don't believe it's selfish. I believe that as living beings, we have a very strong natural survival instinct. It is one of our most basic instincts. Even in a depressed state, if you throw something at someone, do they not dodge the object without a thought? We are built with a natural "fight or flight" tendency. I believe that suicide is the end result of, to put simply, temporary insanity. A temporary triggered mental break that allows us to drop our natural defense. Think about it. How many of you could put a gun to your head and pull the trigger? Why couldn't you (not counting the familial after effects)? Now, honestly, what do you think it would take to allow you to possibly do such a thing?


I am a science based person and scientifically speaking suicide is a natural response to unbearable emotional distress.

I've had suicidal thoughts myself and all I could think about in those moments was how shitty my life was. However, the reason why I never took it any further than just a thought was not for my family but for myself. Because I just wanted to feel better and medication was not an option for me and I knew that if I attempted against my life I would never actually feel better because I would be dead.

Most people who commit suicide do not have a good support system. So instead of wasting time debating a useless question we should spend more time focusing on how to help people who are suicidal. Society will always disagree when it comes to this topic because of spiritual or moral beliefs.


Suicide cannot be viewed as simply "suicide." There are many causes, each different for any who commit it or contemplate it. Someone who feels that they are a burden to their loved ones, spending all their money on treatment and have zero hope of a better life, may end things for what they feel is the "good of their family". That may be wrong but it is not selfish. See the individual first then you may have the knowledge to help prevent a suicide. Just my opinion.


I think it is selfish because some people who are dying are praying for one more day even though they know they might not make it, and she just killed herself and took a life when that's the one thing many people wish they could have


As someone who attempted suicide myself, it never occurred to me why anyone would think it was selfish. I did know that people would be upset over my death; but I found myself so insignificant that it wouldn't be life changing for anyone and they would get over it in a few months and never think of me again. I just wanted to make it all stop. Everything that happened after I died wouldn't really matter to me anyway. I'd be gone.
*note* I'm fine now by the way. This was years ago. :)


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