what would you do if your friend was suicidal?

[jussaloser]

i have mixed feelings for this one.
obviously i dont want them to suffer but saying stuff like "everythings gonna be fine" would make me a hypocrite.
best thing i can offer is to ctb together.

 

[FuneralCry]

I don't have and would never want to have friends in the first place but the fact is that suicidal people should be left alone to make their own choices, if someone else wants to die then that should be respected as it's their decision. Stopping somebody from suicide would be so incredibly cruel, we are all just waiting to die anyway and many people wish to leave on their own terms, wanting suicide is perfectly logical in this world.

 

[Praestat_Mori]

As you are on this forum and you can see how we treat each others here you can treat your friend the same way showing him empathy and understanding his desires. This is the best way how you should deal with it.

 

[locked*n*loaded]

Being pro-choice, I'd attempt to solicit information from them as to why they want to CTB, try to understand their reasoning, possibly bring up points that they may not have thought about (because of their headspace) regarding pros and cons and then tell them that whatever they decide, I support them 100% in their decision, as long as they thought everything through and CTB was truly what they wanted.

 

[chromeparallel]

Do not join them. Your friend would want you live on. Let them fine peace in this solitary act and you find peace in life. If someone wanted to join me I'd take the time to remind them just how much sweeter life will be once I'm gone.

 

[MrDarkness]

I'd support them every step of the way, I'd try to get them to understand both sides of life, it could be amazing or shit, I can't tell them life gets better cause I don't know and they don't know, if they choose to die I would respect that wish, I'd hold their hand throughout the journey

 

[Aisley]

Don't offer to ctb together. It's a huge mess. It's tying two lives together, and bringing in problems you aren't ready for. And neither of you could be ready to have the weight of someone else's life on your back.
i have a suicidal friend, and we talk, listen and try to understand without emotionally reacting. There are topics that are safe somedays, and not on others. It's not as complicated as it seems at first.

 

[Jolene79]

Just listen and try find out why. I totally agree that is all anyone wants. As we all know being on here, trying to shut someone down in this situation is horrible, encouraging it is not a good idea either. So listen and find out more. Definitely don't offer to ctb together, that feels messed up

 

[timetodie24]

Talk to them. Listen to their reasons. Try to find out if they've definitely made their decision or if they're unsure. If they still have hope then listen to both sides. You can listen, validate and empathise without promising things you can't know or using cliches . It's okay if you don't know how to help or what to say, just let them know you'll listen and do your best to understand. But remember to look after yourself too and don't take on too much.

As others said, partnering up, especially with a friend can go wrong in so many ways. For example, putting pressure on someone who isn't ready or the guilt if one of you survives.

 

[S u i c i d e]

I couldn't do anything, they're dead.

 

[WorthlessTrash]

Being pro-choice, I'd attempt to solicit information from them as to why they want to CTB, try to understand their reasoning, possibly bring up points that they may not have thought about (because of their headspace) regarding pros and cons and then tell them that whatever they decide, I support them 100% in their decision, as long as they thought everything through and CTB was truly what they wanted.

This is the best answer that can be given.

 

[charlotte_]

I would try my best to help them with whatever they're going through. Perhaps spending more time with them, encourage them to talk about what's troubling them, helping them with things they find hard, ect. I'm in no rights to stop them from CTB if they absolutely do want that, but sometimes, people perhaps just need a hand at the right moment.

 

[delusionalgirl]

I would just be there for them. Just listen, talk to them, take them to a therapist if I need too. I would never tell them my plan. I do have a friend a few months ago who was talking about it. I in a round about way told her about a site (this one) without giving the name. I told her it's the one place I've found that is open and most supportive place ever where you can speak your mind. She lurked her for awhile and was impressed with everyone and was equally surprised with the support and the amount that changed their mind. I was like I told you. This is the place you go to when you can't speak to others for fear of a psych hold. She didn't even question why I knew about it. Now this isn't something I would tell every friend that said they wanted to ctb. Her I completely trust and extremely open. I knew I and most importantly the site and everyone on it would be safe with her knowing.

 

[jussaloser]

y'all made some good points.
thankyou for opening my mind.

 

[Owl_07]

I guess i'd just try to be present, listening to him and try to understand deeply his pains and his despair. Trying to make him feel loved and accepted as he is, perhaps trying to advise him on alternative ways to manage his illness before making such a definitive choice. However, i would respect the fact that only he can know how he really feels, finally it is only his own private choice

 

[pole]

anything but toxic positivity.

simply listening and trying your best to understand the person while simultaneously making them feel heard goes a long way.

 

[Dmoore3232]

I think the logical thing to do is to try to help them.

 

[sancsuinet]

this one is very difficult for me. because i tend to avoid the subject. so to be very honest, i would cry and thats probably it. im friends with a lot of suicidal people, we seem to attract each other, but i just cant engage when they bring up the topic. dissosiate, cry and pretend its not real. its not the healthiest or helpfulest, or most moral thing, but its all i can do.

 

[FormerlyFe(IV)]

I'd cry. In empathy. Because life SUCKS. Noone deserves to feel like shit that we do, and then get treated like SHIT because "their attempt was selfish blah blah blah"

I don't know about CTB together, or recovery together, or whatever. But I'm tearing up rn. I wish this on no one.

And give them the biggest hug. It's probably the best I could do.

 

[sancsuinet]

I'd cry. In empathy. Because life SUCKS. Noone deserves to feel like shit that we do, and then get treated like SHIT because "their attempt was selfish blah blah blah"

I don't know about CTB together, or recovery together, or whatever. But I'm tearing up rn. I wish this on no one.

And give them the biggest hug. It's probably the best I could do.

this!!! i am so torn on the idea of anything 'together' you shouldnt put your life on anyone elses shoulders. but i also have no alternative