Not all suicides are planned in advance (not everyone leaves suicide notes or arranges their affairs).

So some people who attempt suicide mean to die (and are disappointed when it fails) and some don’t (and are relieved when it doesn’t work). And some haven’t really made up their minds (they don’t care).

Many young people who mean to die are usually depressed and/or angry and perfectionistic, or wanting to escape a hopeless situation or an awful state of mind.

But a LOT of suicidal people do not want to die! Being in pain, they simply want to stop the pain. So for some, a suicide attempt is a way to express deep emotional pain. Not being able to say how they feel, they attempt suicide because it feels like the only way to get their message across.

Some people will harm themselves as a way to reduce tension or gain relief—to soothe themselves.

And some secretly hope someone will help them. (And they make sure they will be found and rescued.)

Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My friend
Read an excerpt now
TV Shows and Clips about the Death of Cindy James