re: People say that suicide is a cowardly act

From the Cambridge dictionary:

Selfish: “caring only about what you want or need without any thought for the needs or wishes of other people”.

The person contemplating suicide does not get to decide how others around them feel. (I am a burden)

If you are suicidal, ask your loved ones if they think you should kill yourself.

If you don’t ask them, you are only thinking of yourself.

That seems like a good fit for the above definition.

That does not mean the depressed person “is/is not” mentally ill. That is a different discussion.

But yes, suicide is the second most selfish act right behind homicide with a plan to commit suicide.

To describe killing yourself as noble or courageous is just trying to justify the selfish action as caring for others more than yourself. If you really care for others - get off the bed and help them.

I know you don’t feel like it.
I know you are tired.
I know you are hopeless.
I know you are empty.

But your feelings don’t determine your functioning. You want great relationships? Then create them with service to others.

You will know how sacrificial you are to others by their faces when you enter the room. They will be glad to see you when you are not a daily drain on their energy.

They are not tired of you. They are tired of you not trying harder.