I think that you need a good definition of ‘control’ before going any further. As I think you’re using the word, it means agency, maybe degrees of agency. Choice, let’s say?

It’s difficult to say just what degree of agency is in play when someone makes suicide attempts. Or feels even momentarily suicidal. It’s difficult because many people are ill, or not thinking clearly, when making attempts — not in surrendering agency but having it taken from them. Responsible but with diminished capacity.

I’m horrified by some things in my past — some things connected to/caused by my mental disorders. I usually answer myself with a “I could not help but to do what I did.” But that’s not enough to unburden my responsibility so I always use the ‘diminished capacity’ defense.

It’s odd, but I’ve never really been suicidal. I don’t believe that I’ve any more control than the next psychotic bastard, though. If there is any kind of chin-up-self-moderation in suicide, I’ve never seen it (and I have a lot of experience with suicide and suicidal ideation).

I’m going to strike the word choice, even. In my experience, those who are suicidal feel as if they have no other choices.

So, no, not only is there no control over suicidal ideation, it may not even feel like a choice.

When I was younger I was taught that suicides went straight to Hell.

Then I grew up.