Suicide an Overview: Self Protective Responses and Suicidal Behavior

Life is full of risk. People must choose the amount of danger to which they are willing to expose themselves. Sometimes these choices are conscious and rational; other risk taking behaviors are unconscious. Even though life is risky, most societies have a norm that defines the degree of danger to which people may expose themselves. The norm varies by age, gender, socioeconomic status and occupation. In general, the very young, elderly, and women are seen as needing to be protected from harm. Protection and survival are fundamental needs of all living things.