What's the point of getting help when you're suicidal?

[corkoveado]

I understand being scared of attempting and getting help for that. But, if that's not the case, why would anyone, for example, reach out to suicide hotlines or go to the hospital becayse they're "scared of hurting themselves"? Isnt the point of being suicidal to die? My doctor told me to go to the hospital if I'm in crisis, and I'm still thinking about that.

 

[isthisit?]

Its for if any reasoning gets through, then there is a chance you reach out and get help. But I get the question, asked the same thing from my psychologist.

 

[dagger_of_truth]

You're correct that those hotlines etc. are for people who don't want to do it and are still looking for any way out of having to do it. Some of them will connect people with local resources like counselors. Some of them are just to talk people out of doing it. So you're correct that someone would have to want to be talked out of it, to want to call a hotline etc. in the first place.

 

[BlazingBob]

It's pointless if you truly want to depart from this barbaric shithole of a world we live in. I don't want to be saved which is why I stopped counseling.

 

[bpdscared9]

It depends on your concept for suicidal. For some people, they battle mostly with the thoughts and urges of hurting themselves (mostly cutting or different eating disorders) and not everyone with a suicidal tendency wants to CTB as much as others do for different factors and also SI. Basically generalize the whole concept will only cause often an invalidation of someone for not fitting the "I will CTB soon" as others may go through and fortunately, there's a high rate of suicidal people actually finding recovery during their lives later on. 23% may re-attempt later on and 70% mostly goes on with their lives!

 

[Forever Sleep]

I think the people working in these places and maybe the majority of 'normies' still believe there is a part of us that wants to live or- that doesn't genuinely want to die but, wants their life to be better/ easier.

I think there's this weird assumption that all people experience ideation as an intrusive thought that they secretly know they should be fighting against.

In order to get the police to leave during an SN welfare check- I agreed to be put in touch with one of those helplines. I wanted to get rid of the police and the helpline people as quickly as possible. I wasn't actually anywhere near attempting anyway. I'd bought the stuff for future use.

I've had ideation for 36 years though (to varying degrees.) It's a part of my everyday thinking. Also- ironically, it could be one of the only things keeping me sane! That there will in fact one day be an end to all this shit. So- I was really perplexed when the lady on the line asked me: 'Don't you think we should talk about these intrusive thoughts you're having?'

I didn't think she'd respond well to me saying- they're not intrusive. They are the one thing giving me some hope! The intrusive part is that I know I want to go but- I feel like I can't while my Dad is still alive. The intrusive part is feeling like I'm obliged to stay here in this shit show. Again, I thought it unwise to reveal that.

I truly can't fathom how these people reason though. After getting rid of the first lady- by insisting I was fine. (I was- that was over two years ago.) I think it was a supervisor or something that rang me back. She wasn't at all pleasant. After an attempt at guilt tripping me. (Again- not needed. I've already hung on for family for over 30 years by then. The likelihood is I'll continue to.) She asked me to promise her I'd call them before I used the SN.

Like you say though- I also thought- why on earth would you think I'd do that? If the day finally comes that I know I'm free to go and I know I want to go- why would I phone a person who's entire job it is- to stop me? I just said I knew their number now- if I needed them in future. (When hell freezes over.)

That said- I do think it's good they exist. I think for some people who are more on the edge about it or- tend to become impulsive if they go through certain moods- it probably is good that they can call someone to talk them down.

Partly too- because impulsive attempts can sometimes be ill preppared and very likely to fail. Some methods require lots of preparation. Doing them impulsively can risk severe long- term injury. So- it's not just about saving the lives of people who are unsure about it. It's also likely preventing injury for those going through impulsive phases.