Comment by maybenot on Is suicide high-status? · 2013-02-13T12:18:07.243Z · LW · GW

Although I consider suicide courageous, I would consider my own suicide as admitting to low status and failure and thereby lowering my status even further. In order to avoid the further drop in status by committing such an act, I would probably choose to "disappear"... which may be one of the reasons so many people do indeed disappear without a trace.

Likewise, for some, seeking help exacerbates their sense of failure and low status. If status is at the root of suicidal ideation, this could create a barrier for many people to seek help.

This insight was very useful to me. I now understand why I often imagine the end of the world with me as the "last man standing"! Why kill yourself off in your mind when you can kill off everyone else?