how do you talk with someone who wants to kill themselves?

[Walleye]

honestly?

 

[Nohr]

Give them the number to a crisis line.

 

[kranky]

In my experiences with depressed people, it's better to listen instead of talking - if they are willing to talk.

 

[thraxes]

You want somebody who knows what he is doing! Trust me, I used to work in dispatch for a Paramedic service. Every so often we would be getting a call with somebody actually contemplating suicide. We immediatly transfer that call to a crisis line or if it was desired, with the vickar that we worked with.

The bottom line is you can't do that much since it is a sensitive subject. Try to get a professional to help you out. Assist this person though, a lot of the calls we received were from people without family or friends and most of them wanted somebody in addition to the professional to give them support!

 

[StageLeft]

As mentioned you really can't do that much. Depressed people are woefully unreceptive to rational arguments so it's honestly just best to be there for them and refer them to a professional. Trying to "talk sense into them" will not work. I repeat: It will not work. Any arguments you can think up will be meaningless to the depressed person so do not waste your time or theirs.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
As mentioned you really can't do that much. Depressed people are woefully unreceptive to rational arguments so it's honestly just best to be there for them and refer them to a professional. Trying to "talk sense into them" will not work. I repeat: It will not work. Any arguments you can think up will be meaningless to the depressed person so do not waste your time or theirs.

Indeed, unless you have enough experience in that field you do not even want to try. Listening and being there for a person is extremely important, just make sure they do not feel like you do not care. If they feel they are abandoned it can go pretty wrong.

Look for professional help, but don't tell them to go, and especially don't say 'You really need help, go to a doctor!'. If the person knows he/she is suffering from depression and didn't go for help him-/herself such a remark won't work, and if they don't know they are suffering from depression they may see it as an insult.

Be there for them, and either call for professional help yourself, or take them there. Do not let them drive there alone, there are a million opportunities to kill yourself while driving a car.

 

[Mucho]

Avoid giving advice or preaching talk instead about your experiences in dealing with the crisis in your life and how you over came theme.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: Mucho
Avoid giving advice or preaching talk instead about your experiences in dealing with the crisis in your life and how you over came theme.

Doing that may sound like you view their problems as being minor, not a good idea.

 

[Richdog]

When someone says theyre going to the garage to chill out, proceed to lock themselves in and rev their car like a good un, thats a good sign that someone wants to commit suicide.

 

[Nitemare]

Take them to a homeless shelter or an orphanage and show them that they should be thankful for what they do have.

 

[MegaloManiaK]

Originally posted by: Nohr
Give them the number to a crisis line.

Most definately. You dont want to go down that path unless you are a professional who does it all the time.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Take them to a homeless shelter or an orphanage and show them that they should be thankful for what they do have.

Or just pull a gun and shoot them yourself yes. Depression is not about 'feeling sorry for yourself', so please try to refrain from showing your moronitude too often.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: Skyclad1uhm1

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Take them to a homeless shelter or an orphanage and show them that they should be thankful for what they do have.

Or just pull a gun and shoot them yourself yes. Depression is not about 'feeling sorry for yourself', so please try to refrain from showing your moronitude too often.

Tell them to make sure to shoot in the temple or if in the mouth angle up towards the sinuses, this way it will be quick.

 

[Rogue]

You may actually consider calling 911 for them. This is an emergency and police and paramedics are trained in dealing with suicidal gestures and the like. This is a medical condition that can be reversed.

 

[Toasthead]

Originally posted by: Nohr
Give them the number to a crisis line.

and if your are not in a position to DO something about getting them help, make sure you tell someone that is. Most people who talk about killing themselves dont REALLY want to do it, but you can never be too sure.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Skyclad1uhm1

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Take them to a homeless shelter or an orphanage and show them that they should be thankful for what they do have.

Or just pull a gun and shoot them yourself yes. Depression is not about 'feeling sorry for yourself', so please try to refrain from showing your moronitude too often.

"a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity" sounds like it to me

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Skyclad1uhm1

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Take them to a homeless shelter or an orphanage and show them that they should be thankful for what they do have.

Or just pull a gun and shoot them yourself yes. Depression is not about 'feeling sorry for yourself', so please try to refrain from showing your moronitude too often.

"a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity" sounds like it to me

Dictionary junkie

. If you want a medical definition, go to a medical source.

Depression is a mood disorder that causes symptoms such as low energy, prolonged sadness or irritability, and lack of interest in daily activities. It can be triggered by a chemical imbalance or stressful, emotional situations. Depression is a medical condition, not a character flaw or weakness. Many people with depression do not seek treatment because they are embarrassed or think they will get over it on their own. If you feel you have depression or have been diagnosed with depression, there are many successful treatments available to help you.

 

[isekii]

i'd tell them to go kill themselves..
if they want to hurt him/herself and others around, he/she shouldn't be around to do such a thing.

oh yea.. if you do attempt at your life.. please don't fail

 

[XZeroII]

The same way you talk to a person who doesn't want to kill themselves! HAHAHAHA. j/k. i knonestly don't know.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Beau

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Skyclad1uhm1

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Take them to a homeless shelter or an orphanage and show them that they should be thankful for what they do have.

Or just pull a gun and shoot them yourself yes. Depression is not about 'feeling sorry for yourself', so please try to refrain from showing your moronitude too often.

"a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity" sounds like it to me

Dictionary junkie

. If you want a medical definition, go to a medical source.

Depression is a mood disorder that causes symptoms such as low energy, prolonged sadness or irritability, and lack of interest in daily activities. It can be triggered by a chemical imbalance or stressful, emotional situations. Depression is a medical condition, not a character flaw or weakness. Many people with depression do not seek treatment because they are embarrassed or think they will get over it on their own. If you feel you have depression or have been diagnosed with depression, there are many successful treatments available to help you.

Sorry but I don't believe in popping pills for every little thing. Also, if you would have read his post by him knowing that the friend is suicidal than the friend is not keeping to themself and is actively seeking help. If he had wanted to kill himself he would have done it already. His friend is just lonely and in need of attention. You either kill yourself or talk about doing it to get attention not both.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Nohr
Give them the number to a crisis line.

 

[4Lclovergirl]

Ok, this sounds lame, and I have never actually been in the situation myself.. but when I was in training to be an RA at my school, they taught us to ask specifi questions. There were 4 and I don't remember them all, but I know you ask them if they want to commit suiside, and if they say yes, you ask them if theyhave the means to carry it out. Forget the other 2. But they say getting them to physicaly say they want to commit suisiide, usually makes them think about it, and rethink it. But other then that, I say try and calm them down and find out why they want to, and let them know no matter what, it't can't be all that bad, and will get better.. but only if they live. Once you are dead, there's no going back. Ask them something they have always wanted to do in their lives, and how can they do that if they are dead, etc. And also, if they say yes they are goin gto commit suiside, and have the means, then call 911. it's the same as an attempted murder in my eyes anyway, and a very dangerous situation. Good luck.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Beau

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Skyclad1uhm1

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Take them to a homeless shelter or an orphanage and show them that they should be thankful for what they do have.

Or just pull a gun and shoot them yourself yes. Depression is not about 'feeling sorry for yourself', so please try to refrain from showing your moronitude too often.

"a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity" sounds like it to me

Dictionary junkie

. If you want a medical definition, go to a medical source.

Depression is a mood disorder that causes symptoms such as low energy, prolonged sadness or irritability, and lack of interest in daily activities. It can be triggered by a chemical imbalance or stressful, emotional situations. Depression is a medical condition, not a character flaw or weakness. Many people with depression do not seek treatment because they are embarrassed or think they will get over it on their own. If you feel you have depression or have been diagnosed with depression, there are many successful treatments available to help you.

Sorry but I don't believe in popping pills for every little thing. Also, if you would have read his post by him knowing that the friend is suicidal than the friend is not keeping to themself and is actively seeking help. If he had wanted to kill himself he would have done it already. His friend is just lonely and in need of attention. You either kill yourself or talk about doing it to get attention not both.

You are such an idiot, and your ignorance is embarrasing. It is very obvious that you have never been around someone who has severe depression, and have never been depressed yourself. Mental illness is not a joke, it is very real and very serious.

 

[Rilescat]

I have lots of experience with this. You can't help them. They can only help themselves. Your best option is to take them to a facility that can watch them.

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Beau

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Skyclad1uhm1

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Take them to a homeless shelter or an orphanage and show them that they should be thankful for what they do have.

Or just pull a gun and shoot them yourself yes. Depression is not about 'feeling sorry for yourself', so please try to refrain from showing your moronitude too often.

"a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity" sounds like it to me

Dictionary junkie

. If you want a medical definition, go to a medical source.

Depression is a mood disorder that causes symptoms such as low energy, prolonged sadness or irritability, and lack of interest in daily activities. It can be triggered by a chemical imbalance or stressful, emotional situations. Depression is a medical condition, not a character flaw or weakness. Many people with depression do not seek treatment because they are embarrassed or think they will get over it on their own. If you feel you have depression or have been diagnosed with depression, there are many successful treatments available to help you.

Sorry but I don't believe in popping pills for every little thing. Also, if you would have read his post by him knowing that the friend is suicidal than the friend is not keeping to themself and is actively seeking help. If he had wanted to kill himself he would have done it already. His friend is just lonely and in need of attention. You either kill yourself or talk about doing it to get attention not both.

Attitudes like your's are what contribute to men having a higher suicide rate than women. Pride and arrogance. Pills may or may not be the answer, but if you read that article (which, BTW, is a bit more knowledgeable than the organ inside your thick skull), pills aren't the only answer. If his friend has said that he/she has been contemplating suicide, they are asking for help. They need psych therapy, or just someone to lean on. Having had depression quite seriously numerous times in my life (it's a genetic trait in my family), I can say that pills help lighten the emotional load, and allow you to focus more clearly on the problems that are weighing you down.