If a close friend messaged you to say he was going to commit suicide, what would you do?

[ScorpiusDragon]

Would you call for help immediately? Or would you let him die?

 

[Jean Améry]

Call him and ask to meet somewhere quiet and private to have a frank, honest discussion about it. Presumably if he messaged me he'd want to talk about it

 

[Chalken]

I don't have any friends, let alone any close ones. But if I did, I'd talk to them, listen to them and support them whatever decision they'd end up making. If their mind was already made up, I doubt I would be able to change it.

 

[Alchemist]

Support them on any decision they take, not try to "save" them. Just offer to listen and help them in any way they ask to be helped without judging. If they decide to chose death, then provide the best information so they can do it with peace and dignity.

 

[bacardirum]

Being honest, I would not do anything, if they want to go, why disturb it...

 

[Empty Smile]

That's a tough call, considering I plan to ctb at some point. So if I talk this person out of it, then I ctb, I wonder if it would add pressure to them? Would they wonder if I was the one who really needed help? Would they feel guilty?

Millions of questions, not one right answer.

 

[bacardirum]

If you assocciate your name with it, can you imagine the questions and interviews from police, not to mention everyone knowing they died and you were somehow part of it, and vice versa if they fail, if someone wants to die I say give them the freedom, and by even helping to save you could somehow save them which could lead to a worse scenario for them...

 

[Midnight]

If police where to investigate the phone call/messages and you did anything apart from calling help/talk him/her out of it you will face legal consequences and possibly also angry family members of the one who ctb'ed. I honestly wouldn't do anything except talk in person so there is nothing they can hold you liable for. This might also be something to consider when YOU reach out for someone just before comitting the act.

It's a sick world.

 

[Sailfisher]

I would try to talk to them and see what is really bothering them. Sometimes temporary things greatly impact people, but for others the reasons are more substantial. I wouldn't want someone to go based on a fleeting emotion, but I can't make that call in more substantial situations.

 

[Loli]

I'd talk to them about the problem. And maybe, just maybe, would join them

 

[Jen Erik]

Would you call for help immediately? Or would you let him die?

What would you do?

 

[ScorpiusDragon]

What would you do?

I don't know. That's why I'm asking. I have a friend I'm worried about. I know he will probably message me before he makes his next suicide attempt. I'm scared. I don't want to call for "help" because I think it will just leave him a hospital bill without taking away his suicidal thoughts. But I don't know how I can just let him die.

 

[Jen Erik]

I don't know. That's why I'm asking. I have a friend I'm worried about. I know he will probably message me before he makes his next suicide attempt. I'm scared. I don't want to call for "help" because I think it will just leave him a hospital bill without taking away his suicidal thoughts. But I don't know how I can just let him die.

Got it. That's a tough spot to be in.

 

[ScorpiusDragon]

Got it. That's a tough spot to be in.

what do you think you'd do? Imagine your closest friend texting you with something like, "Jen Erik, you've been a wonderful friend. I'm killing myself today, and I just want to give you a final goodbye.Thank you for all your kind support and love. I wish you all the peace and happiness in the world. I hope that when we meet again, it will be in a better place."

what do you think you'd do? Imagine your closest friend texting you with something like, "Jen Erik, you've been a wonderful friend. I'm killing myself today, and I just want to give you a final goodbye.Thank you for all your kind support and love. I wish you all the peace and happiness in the world. I hope that when we meet again, it will be in a better place."

Like I said, I don't want to call for help because I think the police and psych wards do more harm than good. But I don't know how I could let someone I care about just die.

 

[Jen Erik]

what do you think you'd do? Imagine your closest friend texting you with something like, "Jen Erik, you've been a wonderful friend. I'm killing myself today, and I just want to give you a final goodbye.Thank you for all your kind support and love. I wish you all the peace and happiness in the world. I hope that when we meet again, it will be in a better place."

If I got that exact message, I doubt I would do anything; I have to trust that others know what is best for themselves.

 

[TAW122]

I would just respect his/her choice and due to legal consequences I would not aid or abet in suicide as I could face serious legal consequences such as being sued by family, criminal prosecution for aiding suicide and what not. If there were no legal consequences, then I would be more than willing to give advice and even help out possible (depending on circumstances).

 

[First loss]

I wouldn't try to "save" him. In that moment and that point, death is his only salvation. I'd talk with him, go over a few points, try to comfort him and let him decide. If he wanted to meet up of course I would do it, but I wouldn't pressure anyone onto anything.

 

[seekingoblivion]

Well I've been there before. It's selfish yeah but you can't help but keep the person alive however way you can cause you love them and want them to continue to be a part of your life.

 

[Monster]

I would talk to them and prevent them from doing it, because most likely they are not making a rational decision, as I think suicide should be pretty rational. If after a long time of trying to get better or making sure they're doing it for the "right" reason and being certain it's not just from a quick decision or a problem thats easy to overcome they tell me they certainly want to die, then I probably wouldn't stop them, though it would be hard no doubt. I know there's a lot that they do like in the world and that they wouldn't want to leave those behind, probably. Most people can get through the bad to keep experiencing the good.

 

[Halo13]

I would just respect his/her choice and due to legal consequences I would not aid or abet in suicide as I could face serious legal consequences such as being sued by family, criminal prosecution for aiding suicide and what not. If there were no legal consequences, then I would be more than willing to give advice and even help out possible (depending on circumstances).

This, so much this. There are legal ramifications for aiding in a suicide and you must be very careful of what you say. If you are supportive of your friend's choice, talk to them over the phone or in person instead of leaving a trail of messages as evidence that could seriously cause problems for yourself should the family try to sue.

 

[ZixivaldYrxes]

Probably nothing. I recognize that I most likely lack the sensitivity to know how to approach such a situation and I'd say as much. I don't have any close friends, though, so this is all abstract. I might very well react differently in reality.

 

[weargon]

Coach them into going on a rampage.

J/k.

 

[ScorpiusDragon]

Well I've been there before. It's selfish yeah but you can't help but keep the person alive however way you can cause you love them and want them to continue to be a part of your life.

The rational side of me knows I shouldn't stop my friend. But it's heartbreaking to know he might die by suicide. It's probably selfish, but I just don't want to lose him.

 

[beatenghost]

If they didn't want saving they'd get the message to me after they died. Sending beforehand is a cry for help

 

[Conflicted Cat]

I'd try to talk, see why he/she feels that way. If things really can't get better, I'd let him/her go, and respect the decision. I'd even maybe assist the suicide, carefully, if wanted. No one should live here against their will.

 

[ArtsyDrawer]

I haven't had friends try to discuss their upcoming bus Catchings, but for some reason I seem to attract discord kids to talk to me about it.
All I do is discuss their life and see whether or not it's something they have control over.

Having no friends, though, I don't think I can answer this properly.
I imagine I'd try to talk them into grinding through whatever shit they're going through under the "shit's gonna pass" argument. I don't think I would go as far as summoning a third party, though. Too risky. Might get them thrown into a nuthouse.

 

[Mart]

Would you call for help immediately? Or would you let him die?

I know it's hypocritical but I'd ask to speak with them and talk to them about getting help. I don't want people I love to go out like me.

 

[Sanguinius]

I hate me for this, but the first thing I would do is asking if he/she needs a partner. It's absolutely selfish of me, but I've had a similar situation once and that was what I did.

 

[Kikoo Loool]

Would you call for help immediately? Or would you let him die?

My only friends are on ss. I guess I wouldn't do anything since we promised each other to warn and respect.

 

[Sh00]

I'd call help for them or go myself if they're nearby. If they messaged me telling me they were about to attempt it, then I'd see it as a cry for help.
When I've really wanted to ctb, the last thing I would do is message someone telling them my plans. The only reason I could think of for doing that, is that I'd want to be stopped.

Also I'm more thinking of irl. If it was someone I'd started talking to on this site or something similar, I'd probably just let them know I'm there if they need to talk, but the decision is theirs.