Changes

Views on suicide have been influenced by cultural views on existential themes such as [[religion]], honor, and the [[meaning]] of life. The Abrahamic religions consider suicide an offense towards [[God]] due to religious [[belief]] in the sanctity of life. In the West it was often regarded as a serious crime. Japanese views on honor and religion led to seppuku, one of the most painful methods of suicide, to be respected as a means to atone for mistakes or failure, or as a form of protest during the samurai era. In the 20th century, suicide in the form of self-immolation has been used as a form of protest, and in the form of kamikaze and suicide bombing as a military or terrorist tactic. Sati is a Hindu funeral practice in which the widow would immolate herself on her husband's funeral pyre, either willingly, or under pressure from the family and in-laws.[4]

Views on suicide have been influenced by cultural views on existential themes such as [[religion]], honor, and the [[meaning]] of life. The Abrahamic religions consider suicide an offense towards [[God]] due to religious [[belief]] in the sanctity of life. In the West it was often regarded as a serious crime. Japanese views on honor and religion led to seppuku, one of the most painful methods of suicide, to be respected as a means to atone for mistakes or failure, or as a form of protest during the samurai era. In the 20th century, suicide in the form of self-immolation has been used as a form of protest, and in the form of kamikaze and suicide bombing as a military or terrorist tactic. Sati is a Hindu funeral practice in which the widow would immolate herself on her husband's funeral pyre, either willingly, or under pressure from the family and in-laws.[4]

 

Medically assisted suicide ([[euthanasia]], or the right to die) is currently a controversial ethical issue involving people who are terminally ill, in extreme pain, and/or have minimal [[quality]] of life through injury or illness. Self-sacrifice for others is not usually considered suicide, as the goal is not to kill oneself but to save another.

Medically assisted suicide ([[euthanasia]], or the right to die) is currently a controversial ethical issue involving people who are terminally ill, in extreme pain, and/or have minimal [[quality]] of life through injury or illness. Self-sacrifice for others is not usually considered suicide, as the goal is not to kill oneself but to save another.

According to official [[statistics]], about a million people die by suicide annually, more than those murdered or killed in war.[8] According to 2005 data, suicides in the U.S. outnumber homicides by nearly 2 to 1 and ranks as the 11th leading cause of death in the country, ahead of liver disease and Parkinson's disease.[9] Worldwide suicide rates have increased by 60% in the past 50 years, mainly in the developing countries. Most suicides in the world occur in Asia, which is estimated to account for up to 60% of all suicides. According to the World Health Organization, China, India and Japan may account for 40% of all world suicides.[10] In the United States, for example, the rate of suicide is increasing for the first time in a decade. The increase in the overall suicide rate between 1999 and 2005 has been due primarily to an increase in suicides among whites aged 40–64, with white middle-aged women experiencing the largest annual increase.[11]

According to official [[statistics]], about a million people die by suicide annually, more than those murdered or killed in war.[8] According to 2005 data, suicides in the U.S. outnumber homicides by nearly 2 to 1 and ranks as the 11th leading cause of death in the country, ahead of liver disease and Parkinson's disease.[9] Worldwide suicide rates have increased by 60% in the past 50 years, mainly in the developing countries. Most suicides in the world occur in Asia, which is estimated to account for up to 60% of all suicides. According to the World Health Organization, China, India and Japan may account for 40% of all world suicides.[10] In the United States, for example, the rate of suicide is increasing for the first time in a decade. The increase in the overall suicide rate between 1999 and 2005 has been due primarily to an increase in suicides among whites aged 40–64, with white middle-aged women experiencing the largest annual increase.[11]

==Gender and suicide==

==Gender and suicide==

In the Western world, males die much more often by means of suicide than do females, although females attempt suicide more often. This [[pattern]] has held for at least a century. Some medical professionals believe this stems from the [[fact]] that males are more likely to end their lives through effective [[violent]] means (guns, knives, hanging, etc.), while women primarily use less severe methods such as overdosing on medications.

In the Western world, males die much more often by means of suicide than do females, although females attempt suicide more often. This [[pattern]] has held for at least a century. Some medical professionals believe this stems from the [[fact]] that males are more likely to end their lives through effective [[violent]] means (guns, knives, hanging, etc.), while women primarily use less severe methods such as overdosing on medications.

==National suicide rates==

==National suicide rates==

National suicide rates differ significantly between countries and amongst ethnic groups within countries.[12] For example, in the USA, non-Hispanic Caucasians are nearly 2.5 times more likely to kill themselves than are African Americans or Hispanics.[13] In the United Kingdom suicide rates vary significantly between different parts of the country. In Scotland, for example the suicide rate is approximately double that of England.[14]

National suicide rates differ significantly between countries and amongst ethnic groups within countries.[12] For example, in the USA, non-Hispanic Caucasians are nearly 2.5 times more likely to kill themselves than are African Americans or Hispanics.[13] In the United Kingdom suicide rates vary significantly between different parts of the country. In Scotland, for example the suicide rate is approximately double that of England.[14]

*Hakim, David (2008). Man Down CineSource Magazine.

*Hakim, David (2008). Man Down CineSource Magazine.

== External links ==

== External links ==

* [http://www.theovernight.org/ American Foundation for Suicide Prevention]

* [https://www.theovernight.org/ American Foundation for Suicide Prevention]

* [http://www.stampoutsuicide.org.uk/ Stamp Out Suicide!] Information resource for those in the UK and Ireland

* [https://www.stampoutsuicide.org.uk/ Stamp Out Suicide!] Information resource for those in the UK and Ireland

* [[Avshalom Elitzur]] and Haim Omer, [http://a-c-elitzur.co.il/site/siteCategories.asp?cat=20 What Would You Say to the Person on the Roof?], with comments from Israel Orbach

* [[Avshalom Elitzur]] and Haim Omer, [https://a-c-elitzur.co.il/site/siteCategories.asp?cat=20 What Would You Say to the Person on the Roof?], with comments from Israel Orbach