This question opened a very interesting discussion concerning karma, life after death, self-will versus surrendering to the divine will. I will try to briefly summarize our afternoon discussion. First, I suggest that suicide is not a recognized practice to reach enlightenment. Just because your life on earth has ended, you are not guaranteed end up in exalted states in the subtle realms. It has been my personal experience and those of the great teachings that your state of consciousness at death determines where you go in the next life.
Life is a preparation for death.
At death, you are still alert and present, you are just not in your physical body. There are different realms in the astral plane that are determined by vibratory consciousness. Death does not automatically grant you entrance into the highest realms. In fact, your thoughts and consciousness at the moment of death determine the pattern for your next incarnation. Consciousness has continuity from one life to the next.