Suicide

Suicide is the act of killing of oneself. This is a sin in the Christian religion (and a mortal sin in Roman Catholic tradition), as well as a very grave sin within Islam. However, in other societies suicide can be considered to be a duty, honor, or necessity. Among the Inuit tribes some elderly individuals who believe that they have become a burden on their families may paddle into the Arctic Ocean to end their lives. Similarly, various Polynesian tribes will do the same.^{[Citation Needed]} The theme of suicide can be seen in literature from many cultures. Some of the best known examples are found in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Scope of the Problem

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the world, claiming over one million lives globally in 1999. The suicide rate in the U.S. in 1999 was 10.7 per 100,000; the homicide rate that same year was only 6.2 per 100,000. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth 15–24 years old. White males over 85 have the highest rate of suicide, about 65 per 100,000. Suicide rates are also elevated in some ethnic groups. For example, suicide is about 1.5 times more prevalent than average among Native Americans. While whites continue to have higher suicide rates than blacks, the gap seems to be narrowing in young males. Suicides in males outnumber those in females in almost all nations, including the United States. While males are more likely to complete suicide, females are more likely to attempt suicide.

See also

• kamikaze
• suicide bomber