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August 1971
reports (only a horrible estímate at best,
but sbocking nonetheless) in addition
to the hundreds of thousands who ac–
tually commít suicide, sorne
three mil–
/ion attempt micide am111ally.
And, in addition, there are additional
millions who havc the desire to attempt
suicide but do not follow through.
Why SELF Destruction?
The logical question is
WHY?
For
every problem there has to be a cause.
There is a cause for suicide. There is a
reason
why
so many people end their
lives in admitted failure.
lt's time the cause of suicide be
carefully examined and understood.
Those who have studied the field
list the following as common reasons
for suicide: looeliness, interpersonal
difliculties, guilt, sudden shock and
revenge.
There is one factor apparent in every
case. That factor is a feeling of
failrtre
in one way or another.
The inability to
cope tuith personal failllre is the root
cause of srticide!
Loneliness, for example, is failure -
failure to have friends, failure to love
and be loved.
The elderly often find themselves in
an apartment complex housing hun–
dreds, with a neighbor whose name
they do not know, living not more than
six inches away behind a common wall.
Experts recognize loneliness, alienation
or isolation - whatever term might be
applied - to be one of the strongest
immediate motives for suicide.
Another reason for suicide is what ex–
perts term "interpersonal difficulties,"
or problems arising between two or
more individuals. These difficulties are
also a result of failure, failure to have a
harmonious and happy marital, commu–
nity or work relationship.
Dr. Peck stated that the SPC (Suicide
Prevention Center)
never has to deal
with anyone who has a satisfyi1zg mari–
tal relationship!
A great many whom
the SPC deal with have marital diffi–
culties or are participating in a sexual
perversion. These people are failures in
a very important part of life and they
often express their failure by com–
mitting suicide.
The
PLAJN TRUTH
31
Guilt and Suicide
Guilt is another effect of failure -
the failure to do what one knows to
be
right.
once again point out a terrible weakness
and lack of mental and emotional
stability.
Sudden Shock and Revenge
Causes of guilt may range from
cheating on tests to stealing,
oc
to any
compromising of the standards parents
and society have taught to be right. Iix–
perts say the inability to live up to the
image one has of himself is often a
prime reason for suicide. Guilt suicides
A sudden shock resulting from the
loss of a loved one, devastating finan–
cia! loss, Iosing a treasured job, being
drafted, or even coming into a huge
sum of money have been known to pre–
cipitate a suicide.
Many people who suddenly lost their
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The following is a profile sketch of a suicide,
from characteristics which most often are preva–
lent in suicidals.
ELDERLY:
Suicide rotes generally go up with age and
are higher with eld erly than with any other age group .
College-age students are an exception, being also hig h
on the list.
MALE:
Two men commit suicide for every one woman.
Many more women threaten suicide, but more men
actually commit it.
CAUCASIAN:
In the Un ited States, Caucasians hove a
higher suicide rote than any othe r roce.
PROTESTANT:
Of all the religions, Protestants hove
the highest suicide rotes of any. Catholics are second
and Jews third.
DIVORCEE:
Married people hove a lower rote than
single, widowed, or divorced persons. Often a divorcee
lives alone; this, too, raises the rotes.
PROFESSIONAL:
Although there are many exceptions,
suicide rotes are highest in the most and least prestigious
occupations. The professional/managerial categories
hove the highest rotes overall.
FINANCIAL STATUS:
Makes no difference at all. Sui–
cide is neither the curse of the poor nor the illness of the
rich.
lt
cuts across all lifelines into every monetary stratum.
HEALTH:
Constant chronic pains or acute illnesses are
often cited as reasons for suicide.
V ICES:
Alcoholism, sexual vices, drug abuse, gambling
or other addictions are characteristics found among suici–
dals. Menta l weakness, lack of emotional control, lack
of self-discipline and lack of strong character make peo–
ple more prone to commit suicide.
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