> Many people cite stats about how previously suicidal people are glad they didn’t commit suicide successfully but it’s got obvious survivor bias from those tha

> Many people cite stats about how previously suicidal people are glad they didn’t commit suicide successfully but it’s got obvious survivor bias from those that did and don’t get a say. It's pretty much tautological, no? Either you're (still) suicidal or you're glad you didn't previously commit suicide. > How many suicidal people are suicidal simply because the specific lifestyle before them is the only norm they know of and they just don’t want it? Perhaps there is a philosophical challenge in the standard definitions of mental illness, which more or less amount to "thinking in a manner which causes distress or impairs your functioning". We like to pretend that ordinary people ought to have the fortitude to face whatever adversity comes their way-- a belief that is easier to sustain for those who aren't currently facing great adversity.