[zeestephen]

I read an interesting essay on suicide several years ago.

Almost all suicides by healthy adults fall into three categories:

(1) Drug or alcohol addiction

(2) Clinical depression or schizophrenia

(3) Family history of suicide

Suicides by elderly adults are almost always related to the death of a spouse or a constant companion, or because of intractable health issues.

Suicides by the young are almost always impulsive and usually follow a highly emotional event.

But, in general, suicide is quite rare, about 1 in 10,000.

[Steely Tom]

There's another case you forgot: living a double life, and can no longer keep up the illusion.

I speak from personal experience.

[oh8eleven]

Family history of suicide
I went into the service with a buddy who, a few years later, killed himself ... just like his father.