[Aedes]

Originally Posted by Didymos Thomas

But mental illness does not necessarily mean more likely to commit suicide.

Yes it does. Statistically mental illness is the strongest predictor of a suicide attempt. Compared with the general population people with mental illness are FAR more likely to attempt suicide.

How many mentally ill people do not commit, or even attempt, suicide?

Many. But that misses the point. Risk is a statistical statement applied to a population. It doesn't predict the behavior of a given individual in the population.

Guns account for a large number of successful suicides in the US, many of which seem to be impulsive - take away the guns and, if the article is accurate, we should see a sharp decline in successful suicides in the US.

Guns are the primary reason why males are far more successful at suicide attempts than females. Females are more likely to attempt a drug overdose, which often is unsuccessful.

[/quote]Do sane people have the right to take their own lives? Do the mentally ill have the right to take their own lives?[/quote]The right under what body of judgement? Committing suicide is not illegal. Attempting it is. But I think most of us agree that irrespective of the crime, it's in the best interest of the criminal and of society for people with mental illness to get effective diagnosis and treatment.