Judaism and mental health

[pianomanalex]

Does anyone know the exact opinion and the textual source regarding Judaism and suicide? I suffer from clinical depression and this issue comes up frequently.

[dna72]

The views and opinions vary. With the Talmud saying "And surely the blood of your lives I will demand", one can understand the sin element attached to it. Yet it is open to interpretation. Some consider it a crime; some would not mourn or say a prayer for the deceased, some would bury in a less worthy place and others simply ignore the stigma and treat suicide as any other illness that claimed a life. [/i]

[symphony123]

`Dear Alex,
Suicide is punished in judaism by burying someone outside the gate traditionally, and since judaism is pro life , it is not supportive of selecting to die.
I would encourage you to seek help.
Are you seeing a therapist?
my first impression is that you might be an artistic person with ups and downs, and then must seek something to balance. i do yoga and find it is very helpful and i have a blog so i am not so isolated ...i would try to go into the problem , try to see it from a proactive view, what you can do about it , in learning to live with it rather than consider ending your ONE PRECIOUS life, in my most humble opinion.
peace, love and light
a struggling soul too

ziggi