What should you say to someone who is suicidal?

Answer 1

This is a question I actually feel somewhat qualified to answer. I can tell you that platitudes like, "But you have everything to live for" and almost-superstitious kneejerk reactions like "Don't say that!" are no help at all. I've received both, and have learned to keep suicidal thoughts to myself. The fact is suicidal thoughts are different from being "a suicidal person." People should first try to determine whether a person is depressed and thinking about suicide or is actually planning to commit suicide. Obviously, one situation is more urgent than the other, but I believe the first thing to emphasize in both cases is the need to WAIT. Circumstances change, sometimes on their own and sometimes through intervention and assistance. Perspective and mood can change as well, sometimes for the simplest of reasons, sometimes for no apparent reason. Acting on suicidal thoughts is premature. If one waits before acting, he or she can always decide to act at some future time. "What's the rush?" is the way I've always thought about it, and I'm still around at 57- sometimes much to my astonishment. From childhood, thinking about the possibility of committing suicide, ending it all, has been a kind of contingency plan if it all became too unbearable, a safety valve. For young people in particular, I think the WAIT AND SEE approach is best, followed up by any practical or medical and psychological help the person might want. I think that if I weren't so curious, so afraid I might miss something interesting- or something that just might change things for the better- I would have committed suicide long ago. The young and healthy have many possibilities in their future, even if they can't see that from their present vantage point. Life does have a habit of coming up with surprises, both good and bad, for both young and old. You can simply ask any suicidal person to have some patience, wait a while, and see what's up ahead before ending this lifetime. Nancy Well first of all. I would say hi and ask how you are. So Hi and how are you? I am doing ok. Your "question" when I first seen it caught my attention real quick. I have been in your shoes if it is you you are talking about. I want to tell you people say things like "It will get better" and "it is not worth it". If you do not mind I would like to kinda share my story. Right now I am 28. When I was 10 we were living in Illinois and my grandpa was real sick, we went to the hospital to be with him, and not too long after we got there he had died. Well we all went home, come to find out while we were at the hospital our house had burned down. My parents decided that we were going to move to Ohio to be closer to our other grandather. I did not want to move. That was the beginning of my depression. We moved to Ohio, by this time I was 11. I had a lot of problems with the kids that I went to school with because I was different and new. The town we moved to did not like anyone new. So throughout school the depression was a lot worse. Then when I was 17 I met someone from another town and we started to date. We were together about a year and the relationship was very abusive, and I stuck with it. I was hoping it would get better. I had turned 18 and the man I was with was called me and proceded to tell me on my birthday that he did not want to be with me anymore, that he was with someone else. My birthday is in January and we were engaged to be married in Febuary. So I just lost it. I went nuts and then I went in the cabinet and took a bottle of aspirin with the amount of 250 pills. I took them all. The people where I was at knew something was wrong with me. They called 911 amd then of course they took me to the er and pumped my stomach. After that I had become even more different. I was very angry all the time. Instead of doing anything to anyone, to make myself feel no mantal pain, I decided to start cutting myself and I was drinking and doing drugs all the time. Then I became pregnant. And that made me stop everything. The person I got pregnant by is now my current husband. We have been married for almost 10 years now. There are times that I still think about it. There are times I wish I could do it. But then I think about my kids and then my husband. Then I realize even though things are bad there are people out there who need me. Maybe they might not need me right then but they will need me as time goes on. I do not know your story, but I can almost guarantee that if you do not do it then maybe not now, but there will be a time when you are happy that you did not do it. I know stuff hurts and sometimes it can be real bad. The story I told you is just a very short and not fully detailed. There was a lot more to add but I did not think that would would want to hear every detail. I am not sure though. If there is anytime that you would like to talk to me you can email me or send me an im. My email is tbenner@columbus.rr.com and my Yahoo is plathora_chienne1 and aim is Treasa381 Like I said if you ever want to talk I am here to listen. Sometimes all someone needs is a friend, or sometimes just an ear. If you need that, then I am here. Please feel free to contact me. I hope to hear from you soon. Treasa "What should you say to someone who is suicidal?" Simple. How can I help you? Do you need for me to listen to you? What do you need or want? Best Wishes What should you say to someone who is suicidal? My heart breaks each time i think over my discoveries. I've had dreams and flashes of the terror you must of suffered. There is so much you could comfortably shared with me, and so much loss of time and unnecessary pain could've been avoided. My brother has made several suicide attempts. I have alot experience dealing with the matter and in a united family effort can help you overcome this; given first if it's true. Dear God, I had no idea just evil religious people are, yet claim to be above those of us who manage very well outside of their walls. I am waiting for you. ANSWER If someone might be feeling suicidal play the song 'Dont Worry, Be Happy' by Bobby McFerrin this might work because the first week it came out the suicidal rate dropped massivley If someone is suicidal, first of all. Keep your eye on them. Make sure they don't get worse. Secondly, you should really just make small talk. Sometimes they really get annoyed if you keep trying to make conversation. But if you don't talk to them at all, that's even worse. Just take it slow.

Answer 2

1. Please don't tell me you're planning something...

2.Break it to them slowly. Say this:

"Look, person, I know this'll be hard for you. It's very hard for me to say this to you. Please don't be too angry with me, because this is my choice. I'm very unhappy with myself and I've decided to end my life now. There's too much pain in my life, and it would be better just to get it over with. Don't take this too hard. I can trust you about this. Please don't try to stop me." Something like that. But seriously. Don't commit suicide. Please. It's terrible and you'd regret it. Think about how majorly stupid it is to do that. Please. Please. Please. I have no clue about who you are but I do care for you. I hope you don't do it. Please.