Before suicide was a diagnosis, it was a decision. In ancient Rome, it was a philosophical exit—Seneca drank poison with dignity. In Japan, seppuku was ritualized honor. These weren’t cries for help. They were statements of control, of legacy, of defiance. Then came the church. Suicide became sin. A crime against God. Bodies denied burial. Families shamed. That shift didn’t just change theology—it rewrote the social contract. Pain became taboo. Death became punishment. And the people most in need of compassion were cast out.

We inherited that silence. And we’re still paying for it.

Evidence provided

Section 1: Suicide Across Cultures: Understanding the variation and complexity of the suicidal process across ethnicities and cultures | Oxford AcademicCultural and Societal Influences on Suicide Rates - iResearchNet

History of suicide - Wikipedia

Section 2:

Rethinking suicide prevention: from prediction to understanding | BJPsych International | Cambridge CoreChapter 1. Suicide Risk Assessment | Psychiatry Online

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 15-34 in the U.S.

Section 3:

Breaking the stigma around seeking help | Papyrus

Financial difficulty and suicide: the numbers - Money and Mental Health

World Suicide Prevention Day: Stigma, Stress, and Silence

Section 4:

Suicide

Why people self-harm - NHSSection 5:

Suicide prevention in England: 5-year cross-sector strategy - GOV.UK

Suicide prevention policy - House of Commons Library

Suicide