What does suicide refer to in a psychological context?

In a psychological context, suicide refers to the act of intentionally causing one's own death. This definition emphasizes the deliberate nature of the act, highlighting the individual’s intentions and circumstances that lead to such a tragic decision. It also recognizes the complexity of the emotional and psychological states that individuals may experience, differentiating suicide from other emotional states or actions that do not involve self-harm.

The other options do not encapsulate the essence of suicide in this context. Helping others does not imply self-harm or intentionality toward one's death. A feeling of extreme sadness can be a symptom of various mental health issues but does not specify the act of self-harm. Lastly, a strategy for coping with mental illness implies an attempt to improve one's situation rather than a destructive action toward oneself. Thus, understanding suicide requires a focus on its intentional aspect, making the definition centered around the deliberate act of self-inflicted death the most accurate.