A Buddhist monk confronts Japan's suicide culture (2013)
This is one of my favourite <i>New Yorker</i> articles.  I wish they published more articles like this.<p>Suicidal thoughts are a really tough thing to deal with.  I've struggled with them for my entire adult life -- more than 20 years now, and counting.  They're also deeply personal, and it's hard to find a one-size-fits-all method of helping people through them.<p>In my case, I find them perversely soothing.  Planning it out, and planning out the accompanying clean-up, is strangely calming for me; I suspect at least part of it is because it's applying a feeling of control and structure to otherwise chaotic, painful, or confusing situations.  As I run through details in my head, the feelings that incited the thoughts begin to dimish.<p>I know, rationally, that it would be devastating for those left behind.  I know, rationally, that no amount of preparation or planning will make it easier or less painful for them.  I know, rationally, that suicide is <i>not</i> a solution for anything.<p>But it <i>feels</i> like all of the above.  It feels like a release, like a perfect, lasting solution to pain and confusion and distress I've carried with me for so long.<p>I'm lucky that I've found some kind of equilibrium that's allowed me to work through them when they occur, relatively harmlessly.  I know others who aren't so lucky, and who haven't found something that works for them.  Some of thoem have died; others have survived, but aren't whole since.<p>It's something that's hard for us to talk about, and current society doesn't seem predisposed to talk about.  Many of those suffering the most are faced by a media climate that's not helpful or supportive, and makes it hard for some of the most emotionally and psychologically vulnerable to seek help because of who they were born.<p>If you've ever had thoughts, please don't suffer in silence: try to find someone, anyone, to talk to.  In the UK, we have the Samaritans[1] on 116123 (free to call).  There's also Breathing Space Scotland[2] on 0800 83 85 87 (also free).<p>[1]: <a href="https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/" rel="nofollow">https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan...</a><p>[2]: <a href="https://breathingspace.scot/" rel="nofollow">https://breathingspace.scot/</a>