Rational suicide reconsidered: AIDS as an impetus for change

At the present time, there does not appear to be an acceptable alternative to intervening to prevent the suicide of persons who display suicidal ideation. This absolutist and, at times, paternalistic view may change, however, as a result of professionals' contact with persons with AIDS. The growing number of persons with AIDS and the incidence of suicide within this population make it increasingly likely that individuals in a number of professions that subscribe to the policy of mandatory suicide intervention will have contact with a suicidal person with AIDS. Given the life circumstances and implications associated with a diagnosis of AIDS, there is the possibility that some of these suicidal persons with AIDS may have made what could be considered to be a rational decision to end their own lives. By taking into account the circumstances that precipitated the suicidal ideation and allowing some individuals to follow through with their plans, professionals will be empowering and returning autonomy to these individuals. Thus, by forcing professionals to think about and deal with the issue of rational suicide, AIDS may provide an impetus to change the traditional absolutist approach of suicide intervention and prevention into a contextual approach in which the intensity of suicide intervention required is viewed as varying along a continuum.