How would you dissuade someone from committing suicide?
- Thread starter Tonimata
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Lol, if someone is serious about suicide. They generally dont tell people. Generally if they do tell its usually a cry fo attention. I usually just tell them to hurry up and do it and that stops them because they realise I'm just an insensitive git when it comes to people being too weak to handle life. If you cant take life then take your own life so i dont have to listen to you whining.
Yes, i AM a heartless bastard =)
Yes, i AM a heartless bastard =)
It was definitely true that my partner's suicide was the only way out of a certain situation for her. She was very matter of fact about it. She also was extremely organised and had the whole thing planned out months in advance, including a will, disposal of all her personal assets and a suicide method that she knew would absolutely not fail. Then again she was probably not the typical case, she wasn't a very typical girl in all sorts of ways.DoW Lowen said:
Tell them they have something else to live for.
Tell them they make a difference.
Tell them they mean something to me.
One of those.
Tell them they make a difference.
Tell them they mean something to me.
One of those.
Clearly they werent that serious about it then since by that point they've convinced themselves so blindly about the opposites that they've driven themselves to actualy attempt suicide.Julianking93 said:
Well in retrospect was there no other possible way?BonsaiK said:
I guess unless it was an euthanasia of sorts, then I suppose I would be inclined to agree with you that there is no escape. Euthanasia is the final vestige of power we have in situations that call for it.
I work as an orderly in a psychiatric ward and a great part of the patients we admit are people who think about or have tried commiting suicide. As it is, the whole "If they made up their mind you can't stop them"-idea is wrong. Suicide is almost always a spur of the moment decision, and most often it can be prevented by something as simple as someone else just being around.
Now, the moment can be long, don't get me wrong. We've had patient we have had to constantly monitor for over a week because of their high chance of attempting suicide if left alone. But eventually, the feeling passes and the will to live comes back. Whatever underlying reasons caused the wish to die will still be there, but the imminent wish to kill yourself is gone.
So, how do you dissuade someone? The most basic thing is to keep them occupied. Even if they refuse to leave their home, just do anything with them. Talk to them, watch TV with them or just stare into space with them. The important part is that you are present, partially because it shows that someone cares but also because very few attempt suicide with someone else around.
Basically, preventing someone from commiting suicide is partially about taking away the chances, but also about the very same thing good old fashioned consolation is. Just by being there, you do more than any words you can ever speak will. The depressed/suicidal person will not remember what you talked about (and you won't either after a week or two probably), but they will remember that you were there to back them up. If you have nothing but clichés to say, don't speak. Silence isn't a bad thing between friends.
I've helped friends, relatives and patients through this. It isn't something that requires a PhD in motivational interviews or cognitive therapy. All it requires is some humanity and empathy, something that everyone possess.
Now, the moment can be long, don't get me wrong. We've had patient we have had to constantly monitor for over a week because of their high chance of attempting suicide if left alone. But eventually, the feeling passes and the will to live comes back. Whatever underlying reasons caused the wish to die will still be there, but the imminent wish to kill yourself is gone.
So, how do you dissuade someone? The most basic thing is to keep them occupied. Even if they refuse to leave their home, just do anything with them. Talk to them, watch TV with them or just stare into space with them. The important part is that you are present, partially because it shows that someone cares but also because very few attempt suicide with someone else around.
Basically, preventing someone from commiting suicide is partially about taking away the chances, but also about the very same thing good old fashioned consolation is. Just by being there, you do more than any words you can ever speak will. The depressed/suicidal person will not remember what you talked about (and you won't either after a week or two probably), but they will remember that you were there to back them up. If you have nothing but clichés to say, don't speak. Silence isn't a bad thing between friends.
I've helped friends, relatives and patients through this. It isn't something that requires a PhD in motivational interviews or cognitive therapy. All it requires is some humanity and empathy, something that everyone possess.
She had two incurable diseases at once, neither of which were fatal but both of which meant she was in extreme pain every waking moment. I guess it's possible that one day someone might find a cure for them but it's been five years since she died and no-one has so far. She could have hung on for a while longer but I can certainly see why she didn't.DoW Lowen said:
Quick answer no. I don't have emo friends. They can't be emo when im around 
Long answer yes. "As bad as things are for you, there is someone out there who has it worst. [list an example]"
Long answer yes. "As bad as things are for you, there is someone out there who has it worst. [list an example]"
As someone who has had two people close to me do it, I would say that once someone is that disillusioned or hurt by life not much anyone says can fix it.