Should we talk more?

    Suicide has been a tabu subject for a long time and this allowed myth to replace valid information. It would be sensible to think that nobody chooses suicide because they have a happy life.

   Some people say that suicide is a selfish act, a coward’s choice, an easy way out but take a step back and consider this:

• When suicide becomes an option, people are overwhelmed by emotional and physical pain, feel useless to their loved ones, like a burden. As such, most often, suicide seems like a good choice because it would be a source of relief for the loved ones. It is not an ‘easy way out’ but seems to be the less destructive path to take.
• Most of the times, people think a long time before choosing this path- the cost of suicide is weighted against the one of living. Suicide is not a ‘spur of the moment’ decision- it comes after a long battle which leaves them emotionally and physically drained, void of any hope.
• Also, fighting all our naturally born instincts of survival implies a long battle in which all other options were exhausted and a lot of courage. Let us not forget that one of our strongest instincts is to survive.

  Even though there might be exceptions, most often suicide is not a selfish act, is a choice made from love, a sacrifice towards the better of the loved ones. Suicide is not a rash and cowardly choice as it usually implies a long, strenuous battle and takes a lot of courage to pursue such a path.

  A more tolerant, inclusive approach could save more lives. Instead of avoiding the topic or placing labels and stigma on suicide, we should try to approach the subject more often and show people that they are not alone, that there is still hope, that they are needed, loved and the world is a better place with them in it. Let us be proactive instead of reactive!