Remember that I was out of the closet at the age of sixteen. My parents knew I was gay; I'd had to tell them.
Anything that's different from your own realm of experience as a human being, whether it's driving a car or a boat, or using guns, anything that separates you from yourself and leads you more towards this character's existence is a big help.
When things aren't working out for people, the end of the world seems like an easy way to wipe the slate clean.