Suicide

Suicide is the act of deliberately taking one's own life. Throughout the known galaxy, individuals commit or have committed suicide for a variety of reasons. These reasons ranged from mental distress to cultural considerations.

Cultural Reasons
In some societies, an individual's culture will dictate that a person commit suicide at a certain point. Examples of cultural reasons for committing suicide include the following;


 * For five hundred years, the citizens of the planets Eminiar VII and Vendikar had been fighting each other in a war. This war eventually developed to the point where the war was fought entirely with simulated weapons by computers.  Citizens would voluntarily enter disintegration stations, and would be vaporized in the process. (TOS: "A Taste of Armageddon")
 * Klingon warriors who either had been injured, became ill, or lost honor would have a friend or family member assist them to perform the Hegh'bat, a form of ritual suicide. (TNG: "Ethics", DS9: "Sons of Mogh")
 * All members of the Kaelon race are required to perform suicide at age of sixty. The Kaelons did this so that (TNG: "Half a Life")
 * Some Vulcans have been known to perform ritual suicide if their health deteriorated to the point where they could not function. (VOY: "Death Wish")
 * During the Bolian middle ages, a philosophy was developed called the "Double Effect Principle". A form of assisted suicide, the philosophy stated that the relief of suffering was acceptable despite having the effect of causing death. (VOY: "Death Wish")
 * Xindi-Reptilians have a suicide gland that they would use when captured. (ENT: "Rajiin")
 * All Vortas have a termination implant. They are expected to activate the implant in order to avoid capture, or when ordered to do so   by a superior - such as a Founder.