Suicide is a serious issue affecting societies worldwide, and understanding its roots requires examining thought patterns, interpersonal relationships, and an individual’s personal mindset. Researchers and scholars have studied for many years the reasons that may lead a person to consider suicide, each focusing on unique perspectives on thought processes and social interaction.
Durkheim and the Structure of Society
Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist from the 19th century, emphasized in his seminal book Le Suicide (1897) that suicide is not solely an individual problem, but is shaped by the structure of society. He identified four main types of suicide: egoistic, where social connections are insufficient; altruistic, where individuals prioritize the group over themselves; anomic, resulting from social instability or lack of regulation; and fatalistic, arising from oppressive regulation.
Durkheim highlighted that people may consider suicide when they cannot find their place or role within society or when social norms are unclear. This creates a gap between the individual and their social environment, leading to despair and the desire to end life.
Aaron T. Beck and Individual Thought Patterns
Aaron T. Beck, a pioneering psychologist and the developer of cognitive therapy, showed that a person’s thoughts play a central role in their emotions and behaviors. According to Beck, suicide can stem from negative thought patterns, where individuals perceive themselves as worthless, believe their problems are unsolvable, and feel others do not care about them.
Beck emphasized that evaluating and restructuring these negative thoughts can reduce the risk of suicide. Cognitive therapy helps individuals develop constructive ways of thinking, understand how harmful thoughts contribute to despair, and learn strategies to cope with intense emotions.
Thomas Joiner and a Unique Perspective
Thomas Joiner, in his book Why People Die by Suicide, introduced the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide. He argued that the risk of suicide increases when a person feels like a burden to others, lacks meaningful social connections, and has developed the capability to enact lethal self-harm.
Joiner’s theory complements the insights of Durkheim and Beck by showing that both social relationships and internal perceptions are critical, while also highlighting that the capacity for suicide can develop through exposure to pain and life experiences.
Common Ground and the Root Cause of Suicide
All these experts agree on one central idea: suicide stems from a gap between the individual and the world they experience. Durkheim focuses on the social and environmental side of this gap, Beck on negative thought patterns, and Joiner on the perception of social isolation and lack of personal worth. When a person feels disconnected or believes they have no value or purpose, suicide may appear as a solution.
Advice for Preventing Suicide
Preventing suicide requires multi-level strategies. It is important to help individuals build strong social connections and find their place in families and communities. Educating and assisting people to manage and reframe negative thought patterns through cognitive therapy or other mental health interventions is essential. Those who feel powerless or worthless must receive consistent and specialized support. Providing programs for mental health care where people can express their feelings safely is vital. Encouraging individuals to understand that seeking help is not a weakness but a critical step toward living well is also key.
Experts demonstrate that suicide is not just an individual decision, but a complex problem rooted in social relationships, mental patterns, and societal structures. The common theme among Durkheim, Beck, and Joiner is the gap individuals feel between themselves and the world around them, which forms the underlying cause of suicidal behavior. Prevention and support require attention to social connections, thought processes, and tangible support systems in a person’s life.
