What determines a persons choice of method of suicide?

Answer 1

What a morbid question! It depends on a lot of things:

1. Gender, gender stereotypes, and gender culture. People who are more "macho" tend to choose more violent methods.

2. The reason they want to die. If they feel guilty and want to punish themselves, they may choose a more violent method than if they are just tired fo suffering.

3. Ethnic culture and society's values. In places where honor is valued, suicides may be particularly cruel. They may reason that if they are such a shame to their family and community, they must make up for it with bravery in the way they die. In places where suicide itself is seen as a shameful act, it may be done in a way that makes it look like an accident or like they were defending themselves from another. They may even get an accomplice to stage things to look like a crime scene.

4. Availability of supplies. While everyone attempting it has a preferred method, they may use whatever is at hand if they are desperate enough.

5. Location at the time of suicide. If someone is at a high-rise motel or a high bridge and feels desperate, they would be likely to jump, unless of course they brought another means with them.

6. Amount of desperation or determination to end it. If someone really wants it to work, they may employ multiple methods at once. If someone is really just out for attention, they may choose methods likely to be reversed by medical care.

7. Amount of time pressure. If a person just killed another and the police are coming for them, and they feel this is their only way out, they would use the fastest method they can.