My heart aches for Robin Williams and the pain that he must have been in, in order to make such a drastic decision and follow it through. If only he knew of the love of Christ and the mercy of God……. perhaps he could have reasoned another way out. But sadly his pain overwhelmed him, and we cannot judge , since we have not been in his skin nor had his problems, nor had his illness.

The fact that he gave so many people the gift of laughter is what makes the thought of his being in so much pain all the more surreal.

However, the general motive of suicide is more accessible. The underlying theme in most suicide would seem to be the overwhelming desire to escape pain—a fact that was artfully observed by St Augustine. And yet, Major Depressive Disorder is often accompanied by psychotic symptoms which would indicate that the person in psychosis is literally out of his mind. My experience is that most people contemplate suicide for some time, in and out of the psychosis, and that, whatever is happening in the mind of the person at the moment of death, which i venture is the moment of culpability, there is a ‘rational’ calculus that precedes the event. Indeed, very rational and moral people can have a desire from time to time to leave this world, but do not presume to pick the manner or the moment of their exit. The reasons are many, but one that stands out it theological.

Statistical evidence suggests that one’s religious belief has a profound effect on the likelihood of moving beyond contemplation and actually committing suicide, psychiatric symptoms and brain chemistry not withstanding. Durkhiem many years ago observed that Catholics were least likely to kill themselves—Catholics now kill themselves at rates similar to the general population. 100 years ago, fear of hell was the compelling factor in the Catholic decision calculus—this fear was based on the belief that God gives life, and only He can take it away; those who short-circuit this ontology court eternal disaster. Hence, despite the despair and psychosis, the fear of hell closed off certain avenues of escape for most Catholics back then. Victor Frankl suggested another predictor, which was the purpose of life. People can suffer a lot if they know that there is a purpose in others beyond the suffering, and a desire not to spread one’s suffering to others. Of course, the devout Christian also understands that all suffering is redemptive; no suffering is without meaning, and all personal suffering can be endured in the mystery of Christ’s crucifixion. As these core beliefs are diluted in the secular city, suicide has become more common.