THAILAND, 2016 32-year-old Suriya Nuan Chan struggled with a serious mental disorder, which led him to suicide. When he saw a documentary on television about the traditional Japanese style of suicide called seppuku, he decided to imitate it and used a knife to cut open his stomach. He was found still alive and was transported to the hospital. Unfortunately, he died there from his injuries.
Seppuku (切腹), sometimes also called harakiri, is a method of suicide used by Japanese samurai, which allowed them to preserve their honor. They resorted to it when they failed in battle, fell into disgrace, or wanted to avoid capture. Using a sword or a knife, they cut open their stomach. Usually, another samurai called a kaishakunin was present, who decapitated him to end his suffering.
If you’re thinking about suicide, please stop and recognize that your pain is not permanent, but this step would be. It may feel like there’s no other way, but there is hope, even if it’s hard to see right now. Your feelings are temporary, and with help, they can pass.
Talking about what you're going through might feel difficult, but it’s the first step toward healing. Don’t turn away from the people who want to support you. Life can offer more than what you're feeling right now, and the pain doesn't have to last forever. You deserve help, and it’s available.
If you need immediate help, please contact a helpline.
