Actually, it's not strange at all. If you look at crimes, whether it's embezzlement or robbing a bank or raping someone, they are all antisocial acts. Instead of cooperating with people to get money or sex, they use people and take it. These are selfish acts which harm society. Suicide is often similar in that people have wish (f.ex no more pain) and they attempt to achieve it in a way which is completely selfish and may leave behind grieving friends, widows, children and may also hurt random people. I used to be part of a group looking for people lost in the wilderness. I've heard stories about people getting traumatized when they've found people who killed themselves in their cabins as that is sometimes the first place you look when people go missing. I posted earlier a story about how someone in my GF's family was the victim of a suicidal mom who finally killed herself when he and his sister were kids.

As I wrote earlier, the net effect of suicides on society is negative. It makes sense that it is illegal - and should be in my opinion.

I've never heard of suicide being illegal. You can't enforce that. What are you going to do, fine the family? Jail a survivor? Isn't that only going to make them more likely to go off the deep end again? I'm pretty certain that it's not illegal, in at least Canada. I've never heard of something so pointless.

It seems "pointless" because you don't understand the point of having a law. Punishing the wrongdoers is not the main goal of any law, prevention is. In a democracy, suicide being illegal means society is taking a moral stance on suicide and saying it's wrong. It's an important message. There being a law against it morally empowers anyone trying to prevent a suicide. It also helps them because they can ask authorities for help, for example by calling the police. If suicide wasn't illegal, by principle, you would have to respect someone's wish to kill themselves and let them get on with it. Then, trying to forcefully prevent someone from killing themselves might turn you into the criminal. Does that sound good to you?

Right, but prevention stems from the threat of a consequence. Suicide isn't illegal in Australia, Holland, Ireland, The UK, Canada, and it seems to depend on the state in the US. I must assume it's illegal where you're from?

Exactly, very well put.

Here's a good question concerning suicide: should the family of someone who has committed suicide recieve the same benefits (life insurance, for example) as the family of someone who has died of natural causes?

I'm conflicted.

Committing suicide as a result of some mental illness (like depression) is one thing, and in my opinion the family should receive the benefits.

But what if someone commits suicide simply to give his family benefits? While this would be a self-sacrificing act, with noble intentions - you'd see a lot more suicides.

Difficult question. Perhaps, but maybe not. As Conan writes, if the suicide is the result of a disease, then it might make sense that it is covered by insurance. If not, then probably no.

Aside from potential insurance related benefits, I think society should care for victims of suicidals in various ways, like providing counselling/therapy if needed.

Pretty much what I was thinking, though it's certainly a very complex question and really depends on the circumstances surrounding the suicide.

I need help right now, but I don't think my folks understand how fragile I am. Everything about life seems so difficult right now even though I've achieved so much. I have had the week from hell just been with losing my financial income and have to apply for the benefit. My parents who are also financially dire have to support me during this and they are NOT impressed and think I need to take more responsibility. All I've wanted to do lately is watch the blood flow down from my wrists or the feeling of warmth from the alcohol I drink to swallow down the pills. Of course I didn't and won't. But I can't stress enough how an emotional state can cause yourself to lose control.

Vanilla, do you really need your parents to get help?
Cause overhere, you don't.