Is suicide still taboo?

A perspective from 1968

“During the last hundred years the subject of suicide has been amply explored in the medical literature. Significant contributions to an understanding of the phenomenon in terms of psychodynamics, the influence of social factors, cross-cultural comparisons, and approaches to prevention have been made. Yet it is questionable whether many physicians have achieved an objective view toward this act, which is a universal human potentiality and a frequent consideration in times of emotional crisis. The intense cultural prohibition of suicide forms a potent barrier to any open or uncritical attitude. The law finds it to be criminal; religion treats it as a sin; society shrinks from it and medicine regards it as insanity. The physician shares with his culture the taboo of suicide and in so doing may respond to his potentially suicidal patient in a number of uunrecognised ways in accordance with his fearful attitude. At a time when the medical profession’s understanding of this act in its infinite variety is reaching new levels and when preventive efforts are being increasingly emphasised, it seems important to examine the prevalent cultural attitude, to gain an understanding of its source, and to inquire into various possible influences it has upon the physician’s approach to the suicidal patient and the act itself.” (Russell Noyes, 1968)

This excerpt from “The Taboo of Suicide” offers a snapshot of how suicide was perceived in 1968. Do we still suffer from the same culture of taboo? Has the culture of taboo diminished at all?