Many schizophrenics drink or use drugs not because they're bad people but because drug use and alcohol consumption silence the voices. And those who are mentally ill are at a much higher risk of suicide because of the issues they deal with and not having many options to end the delusions or silence the voices.
Elder Holland gave a talk called "Like a Broken Vessel." Wherein he discusses mental illness, I suspect because the issue is close to him as statistically speaking it must be close to the Apostles and First Presidency.
Suicide is not a path I would ever recommend, but as someone who has which I write about how I attempted it here, I understand that it isn't the cowards way out. It is instead like a window in a burning building, people don't jump to end their lives they jump to escape the flames. Schizophrenics and others with mental illnesses don't choose suicide over life they choose suicide over the constant voices and/or delusions they suffer from.
1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."
Pitiful refers to being tenderhearted. The link that takes you to the Anderson Cooper video ought to allow you an insight into what the effect of voices are on anyone that suffers from them and facilitate being tender and compassionate with those who do suffer from these issues. My wife cried when she saw what I have gone through on top of suffering from delusions which have the same effect as do the voices so having both symptoms really does a number on you. My heart breaks for anyone who suffers these symptoms and though I have suffered from them as well, I do not suffer from them daily as I am stable on the meds I am on.
That quote from 1 Peter is how Elder Holland begins and ends his talk so I think it is of special significance and importance.
If you still don't understand how detrimental these issues can be for people who suffer from them and think there is no excuse for suicide or that the atonement doesn't apply to them then please read this article from a man who lost his Uncle to suicide.
3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. Mark 14:3-9
