Reading Comprehension 1

I am a fan of Soundgarden. Naturally, I was devastated to hear of Chris Cornell’s suicide. He

is not the only one. Tommy Page also committed suicide. Why do people commit suicide? Is
it depression? Among other reasons, yes. But psychiatric depression is only a small piece of
the puzzle.

A study published in Psychology Today suggests that the reasons are deeper than once
thought. Researchers studied the suicide notes of people who completed suicide successfully.
The main difference is that the notes of suicide completers included much more detail about
how they were a burden on other people and society compared to people who only attempted
suicide, but did not complete it. In those notes, hopelessness, pain (emotional and physical),
and the belief that death will end this pain were the common themes.

In summary, people do not commit suicide just only because they are depressed or in pain.
They commit suicide because they do not believe that there is a reason to live anymore, and
that their family, friends, and the world will be better off without them.

Suicidal thoughts usually come from a feeling that you cannot cope when faced with a
situation that overwhelms you. When you feel as though there is no escape from that
situation, you may experience some sort of narrowed vision – and in that crisis, you think that
suicide is the only way out. There is also a possible link to genetics. People who commit
suicide kill themselves or have suicidal thoughts or behaviour may more often than not have
a family member who committed suicide.
Psychology Today also suggests that people who commit suicide also ultimately possess a
mental strength that enables them to go through the intense emotional distress and physical
pain to commit suicide. They must be highly tolerant of pain. In their lives, they may have
played violent and extreme sports, got tattoos and body piercings, played with guns, or got
into a lot of fights. That is why they are fearless of injuring themselves.
When they were alive, they may have actually said things like: “I can stand pain more than
other people” or “I am not afraid of things that other people are afraid of.” Actually, women
are more likely to attempt suicide, but not go through with it. Men are the ones who are more
likely to complete suicide because they usually use more effective and irreversible methods
like a gun or hanging.
Suicide risks include:
• Feel hopeless, worthless, or agitated.
• People who are socially isolated or lonely.
• People who have experienced a stressful life event, such as a loved one’s death, post-
traumatic stress disorder (common among war veterans), a breakup, or financial problems.
• Have a substance abuse problem like that of alcohol and drugs.
• Have suicidal thoughts.
• Have access to firearms in your home (more common in the United States).
• Have an underlying psychiatric disorder, such as major depression or bipolar disorder
(mania and depression).

The warning signs include:

• Talking about suicide (“I am going to kill myself”, “I wish I had not been born”).
• Stockpiling pills.
• Wanting to be left alone.
• Having mood swings.
• Being preoccupied with death, dying or violence.
• Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation.
• Increasing use of alcohol or drugs.
• Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns.
• Performing risky or self-destructive things, such as driving recklessly.
• Giving away personal belongings or getting affairs in order when there is no explanation for
doing so.
• Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seen again.
1. These are common causes of suicide except:

a) depression

b) mental health

c) genetics

d) religion

2. People who commit suicide are usually _____________.

a) women

b) men

c) children

d) teenagers

3. People tend to commit suicide because they feel that there is no ___________.

a) tomorrow

b) future

c) hope

d) justice

4. What is usually written on the suicide note?

___________________________________________________________________________

5. Why do people really commit suicide?

_______________________________________________________________________

6. List three suicide risks.

__________________________________________________________________________
7. Suggest three suicide warning signs.

__________________________________________________________________________

8. Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage.

a) themes

b) overwhelms

c) ultimately

d) irreversibly