On The Nature and Progression of Suicide
On The Nature and Progression of Suicide
When being alive is too painful; emotionally, psychologically, physically - one begins to crave an escape, a way to "make it (the pain) stop." It begins with thoughts or images of death, suicidal ideation. A noose tightening around your neck, a gun pointed at your head, an image of your last breath as you drown in the middle of the ocean. The greater the intensity of the pain, the more frequent and incessant the thoughts and images become. Left unresolved, a point comes when the pain is unbearable and a concrete plan begins to formulate.
I think it is important to note that there is little rhyme or reason in the process of suicidal thinking. Once one’s pain passes a certain threshold, their whole being is preoccupied with trying to cope with the pain and finding an escape. The prospect of death can become almost comforting and appealing. With time, the notion of suicide overpowers all other potential escape routes. It is the only true option. This process is exhausting. Often, at this point one feels like their previous passion for life is now a passion for death. Without some kind of intervention, the intolerable pain ends in death.
In Jewish literature, there isn’t much talk about suicide save a few obscure references about it being a sin. This claim is based on the biblical verse "you shall live with them..." (Leviticus 18:5) referring to a person living ( - not dying by suicide…) in accordance with the commandments of the Torah. Some even say that one goes to hell if they kill themselves intentionally (and yes, unlike the common misconception, there is the concept of hell in Judaism). As far as the current culture in my community of origin - the orthodox Jewish community, there is a slow progression toward trying to address mental health issues. However, orthodox folks are often many years behind modern conventions and ways of thinking, leaving them mostly unaware of best practices when it comes to severe psychopathology.
In line with my first bullet point (pun intended?), I mostly think of suicide in the context of pain. Other theories related to impulsivity, general hopelessness, and social rejection also seem plausible and are likely to play a role in the progression of events leading to suicide. At the end of it (the puns are getting silly at this point), I think that there are so many factors that play into the how and why of suicide that I don't think one theory can accurately account for all factors involved. Hence, the theory I would go with would probably be the one that tries to account for as many contributing variables as possible.