Can't tell if friend is suicidal

[Moreorless]

I currently have a friend that's been sending me texts about this girl from work that's been bothering him. He keeps saying that he can't get her out of his head and chooses to mull over it while stuck at home. He then starts going on how his life sucks. He then says that he wants to kill himself for three texts. After that he lightens up and gets better. I was nervous and after talking to him called the local police to see if they could help. Did I do the right thing in involving them?

 

[Ziadaine_v1legacy]

@Moreorless, The importaint thing is you car about him and thats what matters, if he went thru with it and the police could have stopped him but you didnt tell them, you would be brooding over it for years to come and blaming yourself.

 

[Fawcks]

Kind of extreme. Did you discuss it at all with him?

Involving the police in these kinds of matters can have some ramifications...

 

[rutger5000]

I currently have a friend that's been sending me texts about this girl from work that's been bothering him. He keeps saying that he can't get her out of his head and chooses to mull over it while stuck at home. He then starts going on how his life sucks. He then says that he wants to kill himself for three texts. After that he lightens up and gets better. I was nervous and after talking to him called the local police to see if they could help. Did I do the right thing in involving them?

You don't only have the right you've got the obligation. When someone says stuff like that to you you should worry. Go and visit the guy the next time you can, sit down and talk stuff out. Say he is worrying you and you won't leave until you know what's what.
That's at least how I would react.

 

[zombiesinc]

I currently have a friend that's been sending me texts about this girl from work that's been bothering him. He keeps saying that he can't get her out of his head and chooses to mull over it while stuck at home. He then starts going on how his life sucks. He then says that he wants to kill himself for three texts. After that he lightens up and gets better. I was nervous and after talking to him called the local police to see if they could help. Did I do the right thing in involving them?

You were worried about his state of mind, and his very life, I don't think trying to help could be a bad thing. Does he know about this?

I would suggest getting his parents involved if this sort of thinking continues. He may just be down, but he's only going to bring himself down further by dwelling on what isn't, and the negative aspects of his life. He's young, and he'll (likely) fall in love with several other women. This isn't the end all, be all. Try to encourage him to focus on what's under his control in his life, the things he enjoys, and everything else positive. If he isn't responsive, or tries to brush it off ('cause most people ignore the truth, or what's right 'cause it's not what they want to hear) explain to him why you're expressing those things, and why he needs to stop. If he's still unresponsive, get his parents involved, no matter what. This sort of mentality is self-destructive, and he'll bring himself so far down he may very well quit considering suicide, and actually attempt it. This cry for attention/help needs intervention, now.

 

[Vryyk]

I don't know that I would personally call the police, but I don't see what it could hurt, and you may have saved his life. Basically, if you feel it was a risk, you probably did a very good thing.

 

[HellspawnCandy]

snip

Not sure where you live but if you live in America he may be Baker acted. Baker act is a mandatory 3 day stay at an institute for cases dealing with mental disorders and suicidal people. I know this because it happened to me, and in all honesty you may lose your friend. Probably the worst time of my life and if he's lucky it won't be for him. I wouldn't have called but I'm not in your situation.

 

[Erana]

That's a tough one- its good to look after people who are worrying you, but being suicidal is something that goes on a long time and its prolly best to intervene after having a bit more conclusive evidence of something going on.
What-ifs are scary, but its damn annoying when people misinterpret things and get 911 involved- Once, I tried to explain to my professor that I have odd symptoms, such as migraines, and issues falling asleep at inappropriate times. They took the example of my falling asleep at my desk and hitting my head, along with a headache and flashes in my right eye to mean I possibly had a concussion. They called the college, and because I was under 18 at the time, they forced me to go to the emergency room and waste hundreds of dollars on an hours-long trip to the ER on the night before a major test.

I really wouldn't suggest you let him know that you were the one to call.

 

[Cirol]

Ask him if you can.