Why is the suicide rate so high?

People are dying needlessly - their life situations have overcome them to the point of taking their own lives even when there is treatment and hope available to them (though some may not know where to look).

Answer:

Some suicides are only suicides in name - medical reasons and other factors may enter in and these should be more properly called euthanasia.

Successful suicides are no more of a problem than any other form of unexpected death. Other people clean up, dispose and settle the estate.

Botched suicides are problem as serious health and social problems may result. Often there are lingering medical problems that have to be addressed by the use of limited resources.

Threatened suicides and half hearted attempts are an annoyance like tantrums and graffiti. The people involved need counseling or commitment to a protective facility.

Society puts a burden on the friends and relatives of suicide (we should have known/been there/done something/ offered help/given them what they want) s which is really not theirs, but many buy in.