If most people prefer life over death, why are there suicides?

How would he feel if he was to have been saved and was alive now? Most people would say that he would feel good to be back again. Would he?

It seems most people think that being alive is better than being dead. That's why every time there are reports of suicide attempts, the headlines often include these two words - "save" or "rescue".

A foreign newspaper ran this headline - "WL police saves suicidal woman" - when Officer John Huntsman pulled a woman off the railing of the Old Oregon City bridge.

Another headline from South Africa said "Rescuers Save Suicidal Man" when a man was rescued after he jumped naked into the sea off a pier on Durban's north beach.

In Thailand last weekend, a small news item screamed "Suicidal Woman Saved" when a lady in Chon Buri was resuscitated in time after overdosing on allergy pills.

The US has the National Council for Suicide Prevention, founded and working on the belief that suicide should no longer be considered a hidden or taboo topic, and that through raising awareness and educating the public, it can save lives.

In a world full of manuals, there is "SPEAK", an information kit for the public, healthcare providers and educators to help them understand the terrible frequency and toll of suicides, and to discover ways and methods to aid in preventing them.

Indeed, committing suicide does not mean an end to problems. Those borrowers couldn't die to stay away from lenders, for their debts would have to be shouldered by someone. Though her lover may not weep over her death, a broken-hearted woman could make her parents cry if she decides to take her life.

The suicidal woman in Chon Buri may feel bad that after being saved, she still has to bear the debts she borrowed from non-registered lenders. Indeed, nobody would take his own life if he had no suffering. Yet, nobody is free from suffering. Even the richest man can feel lonely.

Suffering is growing at a time when oil prices are rising and putting a serious burden on all.

At the individual level, with income fixed amid rising costs, one could cut back on consumption.

At the corporate level, firms are also required to consume less of everything. Eventually, they would be slimmer and consumption would be reduced. That would also slow down the effects of global warming.

As the world's condition gets better, who would then want to commit suicide?