As someone who has had a suicide in their family, I know it hurts more than the one who does it. I was told that most suicides feel they are going to be making everyone else's life easier, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

Most suicides are either 1) manic depressives or 2) alcoholic. Or both. It can usually be helped, but not if people assume anyone with either of the above problems is weak or immoral instead of sick.

Subject close to my heart.

My uncle committed suicide when I was 8. He was 34.

He was a stunningly handsome man, real personality, and someone I wish could be in my life now - as I could see him as a great friend as well as family - my grandmother finds it funny how I have grown up to be so like him - in looks, mannerisms, personality, interests...

He was ill. VERY ILL. He had some sort of blood illness that was eating away at him (I think it was cancer related but I didn't understand at the time, and I see no need to ask). Everytime I saw him, he would be slimmer, more gaunt, and less "there". I didn't understand at the time - as a kid, when someone is ill, they get better. But he didn't. He was in hospital for weeks at a time, then longer, then longer.

He lived with a friend in Glastonbury (south coast, UK). So was about 6 hours drive away. One night my mother got a call, and I was told basically that he died. Years later she told me that he had committed suicide. His life was being taken from him day by day, he was getting weaker and weaker, and less able to support himself in ANY way. He didn't want to burden anyone and so saw this as "bowing out gracefully". He ran a hot bath, smoked a spliff, got in and slit his wrists. He did this underwater and his last act was to call 999, turn on the taps and pull the plug - an effort to leave no mess for anyone to clean up.

I do not agree that it was the "best" thing to do, because I know his family would kill for just 5 minutes more with him. But I 100% stand by his actions. He thought it through, it was what he needed. He tried to do it cleanly and with as little fuss as possible (ultimately failed, as he never knew how much blood the human body holds, and there was a lot of legal BS afterwards, as his mate owned half of the company they ran, etc). He basically wanted to die with some integrity, on his terms. I want to be buried alongside him when I go!

So, I just want to make my stance clear on that. Sorry for rambling!

In most suicide cases I've been involved in, I've come to the conclusion that in the vast majority of cases that suicide is a long term solution to a temporary problem(s). Most are due to either relationship or financial problems. I am of course not including those caused by major mental or physical illnesses.