Short Takes: Is suicide a selfish act?

Short Takes is a video feature where you get to ask any of our hosts or reporters about topic in the news and they’ll give you their take on it.

Actor and comedian Robin Williams committed suicide this week and his publicist said he was battling severe depression. About 90 percent of people who commit suicide have some kind of mental or untreated illness.

Arizona ranks 8th in the country in suicide deaths, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-Arizona Chapter. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in our state for 10-24-year-olds. Nationally, 40,000 people commit suicide every year, one every 13 minutes.

Pamela Hughes, who co-hosts 9am-Noon with Bruce St. James on News/Talk 92.3 KTAR, was personally touched by the news that Williams committed suicide based on her own personal family experience.

Here is Pamela’s story and her take on whether suicide is a selfish act:

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts please call 1-800-SUICIDE or visit www.empact-spc.com.