If you were to come across someone about to jump to their death (or off themselves in general), would you do something or just walk on by?

[LuzurPhagget]

I feel conflicted about this. I think I would actually TRY to dissuade the person from jumping. And make up some bullshit about how "things can get better" and it's "only a passing thing" etc. It seems hypocritical of me. But but in some ways, some people actually do make it out of darkness. Whatever prompted them to attempt to jump from a location where they could easily be spotted just shrieks impulsiveness and a poorly thought out attempt to escape something that could actually be temporary. It's just a passing spur of the moment for some people and some intervention is required before they attempt something tragic.

I think the truly sad cases are those attempts that have thoroughly been examined, and patiently, methodically prepared and carried out. Almost like it was the "logical" thing to do. Like most of us on this site will do.

What say you?

 

[Darkhaven]

Just walk on by.
Answering back to people who greet me is already a difficult task for my cold and socially anxious mind, let alone me having the inniative of engaging on a conversation with another person, even if it is a person that's about to jump of a bridge.

 

[Hotsackage]

Im not a proponent of suicide. But with what ive been through id just be empathetic.

 

[Stan]

I would stop to talk to them. I wouldn't try and talk them out of it. I'd probably ask them the question "why are you doing it?" and then just listen. The problem I see often through this forum is that nobody actually hears what the person is trying to say. They will try and bully you into not thinking like that or saying its a stupid thing to do, so how can a person be hearing you but respond like that? If they are jumping in a public place they must know its going to create an attraction or response, maybe they are looking for attention. Even negative attention is still attention. Then just play it from there. If they jump at least they had some company and compassion in their last moments. If they decide to try life, then i wish them luck in their recovery.

 

[Bathsheba]

I feel conflicted about this. I think I would actually TRY to dissuade the person from jumping. And make up some bullshit about how "things can get better" and it's "only a passing thing" etc. It seems hypocritical of me. But but in some ways, some people actually do make it out of darkness. Whatever prompted them to attempt to jump from a location where they could easily be spotted just shrieks impulsiveness and a poorly thought out attempt to escape something that could actually be temporary. It's just a passing spur of the moment for some people and some intervention is required before they attempt something tragic.

I think the truly sad cases are those attempts that have thoroughly been examined, and patiently, methodically prepared and carried out. Almost like it was the "logical" thing to do. Like most of us on this site will do.

What say you?

That's a hard one.. if as you say, they are at a spot where they could be easily be noticed and you suspect it could be a cry for help or whatever.. but still... my honest answer is I'd probably approach them and be honest about myself.. like how I'm pro choice, am planning to ctb myself at some point and just be there as a friend for them to talk to. The only thing is.. where does being pro choice leave you legally if someone jumps off a cliff in front of you? Would you get blamed for not stopping them particularly if it was then discovered you're on a pro choice forum?

 

[NotMeant2B]

I would stop to talk to them. I wouldn't try and talk them out of it. I'd probably ask them the question "why are you doing it?" and then just listen. The problem I see often through this forum is that nobody actually hears what the person is trying to say. They will try and bully you into not thinking like that or saying its a stupid thing to do, so how can a person be hearing you but respond like that? If they are jumping in a public place they must know its going to create an attraction or response, maybe they are looking for attention. Even negative attention is still attention. Then just play it from there. If they jump at least they had some company and compassion in their last moments. If they decide to try life, then i wish them luck in their recovery.

I thought the same, that's exactly what I'd like to do. But also I wouldn't like to get involved in the case where there are witnesses or cameras around. I would take the blame for not stopping them or even encouraging them.

That's a hard one.. if as you say, they are at a spot where they could be easily be noticed and you suspect it could be a cry for help or whatever.. but still... my honest answer is I'd probably approach them and be honest about myself.. like how I'm pro choice, am planning to ctb myself at some point and just be there as a friend for them to talk to. The only thing is.. where does being pro choice leave you legally if someone jumps off a cliff in front of you? Would you get blamed for not stopping them particularly if it was then discovered you're on a pro choice forum?

Well, there you go, we arrived to the same conclusion.

 

[Stan]

I thought the same, that's exactly what I'd like to do. But also I wouldn't like to get involved in the case where there are witnesses or cameras around. I would take the blame for not stopping them or even encouraging them.

It's a very good point, you could be called as a witness or spend time with the police giving a statement etc. For me though I would hope I would just walk up and say hi and see where that goes. I have enough regrets in my head already, I wouldn't want another one with the thought that I could help that person even in the smallest way.

 

[LuzurPhagget]

It's a very good point, you could be called as a witness or spend time with the police giving a statement etc. For me though I would hope I would just walk up and say hi and see where that goes. I have enough regrets in my head already, I wouldn't want another one with the thought that I could help that person even in the smallest way.

Right? There might actually be hope for that person...unlike us lol

 

[Crushed_Innocence]

I would definatly talk to them, not to dissuade them. But just to treat them like any other human being that I saw suffering. Just loving conversation---

 

[Stan]

I think the authorities wouldn't ask you if you were pro-life or pro-choice unless someone overheard you say loudly "make sure you land on your head". It would be just a witness statement.

 

[veren4h92l]

I fixed endless people as a youngster, it cracked me. I swore never do it again but ended up the peaces of me still used as bog roll for adults.
Because spoiled adult's are dishonest to their core.

My attitude was everything's alright as long as you are ok with it (whether dead or alive) and I'll help make everybody understand.
Because I suffer when you suffer.

---
But just any stranger, yeah, I guess she/he wouldn't take advantage of me and I'd give it a try.


My heart is my burden.

 

[a_strange_day]

Walk on by, simply because I'd like people to do the same if the situation were reversed.

 

[Eurus]

Mmmm,maybe like what Stan said,and just ask for the reason behind why they want to jump,without expressing my opinion unless it's asked for,but at the same time this is all in theory,in application,I'm not sure if that's what I would do

 

[toomuchgrief]

Walk on by, simply because I'd like people to do the same if the situation were reversed.

^^^ This 100%

And if innocent babies can be abort (kill) in the womb by those women with their 'my body my rights', then WE have the rights to the fate of our own life in our hands, if we want to end it, be it.

 

[Roger]

Difficult to answer. There are so many variables inherent in the question.

 

[catwalk]

wouldn't do anything

 

[Deleted member 1465]

I'd talk to them and try very hard to listen. So many people do not listen. Trying to talk someone down with the same trite bilge we've all heard before would be counter productive anyway. Listening gives a mirror to the self. I wouldn't try to physically stop them but I'd want them to have the opportunity to reconsider.

 

[passenger27]

Walk on by, simply because I'd like people to do the same if the situation were reversed.

I totally agree.

 

[Sweet emotion]

I'd just keep walking. I don't know if this person is a psychopath and I wouldn't want to get involved with the cops and all that bullshit. I just don't really care I guess. Is that awful?

 

[Roger]

I think I'd intuitively try and stop the jumper.

 

[thx1138]

I would walk on, because I've been in that situation. And I'll never forgive the guy who sneaked up on me and pulled me off that bridge, and called the cops. Fuck you and your fucking "hero" bullshit. I bet that guy gave himself a pat on the back and boasted about "saving a life". Even if I tried to help someone suicidal, I'd never call the cops on them and treat them like a fucking criminal.

 

[Death_is_Escape]

Depends: if there's any camera around, or other persons, then for My own legal protection, I'd probably interfere ( some countries basically insist We do; the consequences for ignorance can be more serious than for loitering or jaywalking. )

 

[Kodama]

Jump with the guy if i'm on an impulsive mode at this moment

 

[Rising Phoenix]

Depends, if I know them or not. If they were doing it on a whim I would of course try to save them. But nothing too dramatic.

 

[LonelyLight]

I'd try to help. What if that person felt invisible and thought "okay I wont do it if one person speaks to me", and then you just walk on by and ignore them.... doesn't sit right with me..
Reason I bring up that scenario is because the guy that survived the jump from GGB, said something similar, that nobody looked at him even tho he was crying, and he just felt invisible... don't quote me on it but its similar..
So yes I'd stop to talk, if they told me to fuck off I would, if they wanted to talk for 5 hours and go for coffee I would.

 

[Heart of Ice]

I'd feel I should at least try to talk him out of it, but I wouldn't physically remove the person from the ledge, like some do.

 

[CrushedHopes]

I would ask them why they're doing it, but I'm not going to stop them. But if they're trying to jump from a public space, I'd advise them to CTB somewhere else, where it wouldn't garner as much attention.

 

[Kodama]

Reason I bring up that scenario is because the guy that survived the jump from GGB, said something similar, that nobody looked at him even tho he was crying, and he just felt invisible.

Saw it ... Heartbreaking video !

 

[Soul]

I hope I would ask if they wanted any help and if not I hope I'd wish them well and move on.

 

[Bombasflower]

I would impulsively try to help the person in question... then to afterwards think that I'm a hypocrite because I'd want to do the same thing.
Even though I have suicidal thoughts, I'd still want to help others and listen to them and reason, and want to hear their story.
It's complitated. But I'd feel inclined to help the person.