Alongside important individual factors in suicidal thinking and behavior—such as mental illness, addiction, problems in personal relationships, and an individual’s personality pattern—there are social factors and widespread crises that trigger nihilistic thinking and serve as the straw that breaks the camel’s back in people’s ability to withstand their personal problems.

War is among the most significant of these social factors. Wars expose people widely to death, loss, and severe injuries, and stir their fears and anxiety about life. Driven by a sense that death is inevitable, they may turn to it preemptively.

Oppression and subjugation also play an important role in turning people toward suicide. When someone feels worthless and powerless before the state, an institution, or society, they lose hope in trying to bring about change and decide to withdraw, even if that means their own death.

Existential crises and a lack of meaning can also profoundly diminish a person’s desire and motivation to live. While our societies were once protected to some extent by faith, national unity, and the ability to distinguish friend from foe, we now suffer from national and moral fragmentation, a confused outlook, and an intermingling of doubt and certainty about many matters. All of this fuels nihilistic feelings and contributes to suicidal thinking.

In summary:

In addition to the individual medical and therapeutic work that must be undertaken to reduce and prevent suicide, attention must be paid to the broader social picture, and the necessary policies must be adopted to foster social solidarity, reduce unemployment and poverty, and bring quality and meaning to life.

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