What do you do if you know someone who says they want to die?
 

edited

People who ask such questions are one step closer to committing suicide than a person who just says, "I want to die".

If this is a person you care about, you need to follow up with them, possibly getting a close family member of theirs involved.

Obviously they are depressed and likely have been for a long time to get to this point, but also since they have talked, they are also desperately seeking help.

Depression can be treated and life can be beautiful, but you need to act.

Prayers sent.

If you know this person IRL, do what you can to get them some help. I'm not sure what the laws are in your neck of the woods, but often you can get someone at least temporarily involuntarily committed if they are suicidal.

If this person is just an internet acquaintance, I'm afraid the best you can do (unless you have information about their friends and family and can contact them) is to give him the numbers of some suicide hotlines and urge him to contact them.

It's cliche, but I've heard suicide described as a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Absolutely depression can be treated, but it sounds like this guy is inching closer to the edge and should get some help quick.

I've seen enough attempts that if anyone tells me that they "just don't want to live anymore" or anything suggesting they might want to end their life then I always take it seriously. I wouldn't joke about it with anyone. I would do all I can to help. I will pray that you have the wisdom to help this friend of yours. I really don't know much more that you could do online besides being there to listen and encourage. Sometimes that's all they need - someone who shows that they believe the person(suicidal) has value and is cared about.

never mind. I'm slow :crazy:

I just edited it cos 3 people told me kind of what I thought anyway, and I didnt want to leave it hanging around when it really wasnt my business. And it is someone I just know online, so I dont how much its real and how much is fronting - but I think she is at least starting to fantasuze and play out the idea of killing herself for real, and that has to be pretty bad in itself

When a woman does the suicide-attempt thing, she's usually hoping someone stops her. She'll do it when she expects someone to come to wherever she is and stop her, showing that someone cares.

I speak from experience. I take this shit very seriously as a result.

It is never a joke. This person is either very depressed and ready to die, or in desperate need of attention....either way they need help.

Get them help, but be real careful to not provide them with a forum to explore thier suicidal fantasy's. If you give them sympathy and attention every time they start talking about suicide, you will only egg them on.

If a personal perspective helps: I often want to kill myself and think about it quite seriously a lot of the time (like every day), to the extent of researching ways of doing it and planning notes. I have spoken to various people about it (nobody professional, though) with very little consequence. I sort of want to get commited, but don't really. I think it's the same with suicide. I like the idea of it, but I know I wouldn't go through with it.

I think this is the case for most people who talk about it a lot, so I hope that puts your mind at ease.

The other thing I would say is that if I were to decide to go through with it, there would be nothing anyone could say or do to stop me. My decision to stay or go is entirely my own and I think that is the same with most people. I have a friend who would tell you that I talked him down from topping himself, but I think that really, talking to me just gave him something to do while he calmed down.

So if she does top herself, DON'T go blaming yourself for getting involved/not getting involved/saying the right thing at the wrong time/wrong thing at the right timje/whatever. Anything like that is bullshit. If she does do it, it will be her decision.

Other than that, I really don't know what course of action to recommend.

Hope everything works out OK.

I had a friend who had was about to kill her self and i called her and told her that I loved her. She stopped. It wasn't that I knew she was about to do it, it was just the fact that I had called because I missed her a great deal. Tell them you love them and that you care a great deal about them, it always helps.

No matter how many times you hear this, it is important. Do everything you can to get them some help. If that doesn't work, find a professional for you to talk to. Scars take longer to heal than to avoid.

My ex bf's mother was chemically inbalanced and needed to be on medication. For some reason she wasn't taking or getting her medication and she chose to end her life which destroyed her son. I also had a friend that had a really tough life and although he had mentioned it before (when he would get depressed) I never thought he would do it...but he did...and now his daughter doesn't have a father and I no longer have my friend...and he had his entire life ahead of him...he was only 25 years old. If anyone you know seems depressed a lot and talks about committing suicide I suggest you take it very seriously. It's not an easy thing to get over. It's been almost 3 years since he died and I'm haven't gotten over it. I doubt I ever will.

I worked on a suicide hotline for a few years, til I completely burned out on it - people who talk about it, are seriously considering it, they are not just attention seeking.

Call your local suicide hotline for some ideas, check some of the mental health websites for ideas, in training for the suicide hotline, we were told to ask when they were considering doing this, by what method, you'll know how serious they are.

You can't help them if they don't want help, if they do anything, it is ABSOLUTELY NOT YOUR FAULT, they are in control of their own life, not you. You can only be a friend, and can listen if they want to talk. Let them know you are there, no matter what, that you are available to talk, all you can do is be a friend. But the ultimate choice is theirs, the ultimate decision is theirs.

I suggest a discussion about the merits of living and dying. Everyone has to die someday. It's a matter of choice whether to continue living or not. Just be certain the person has concrete reasons for doing it.