How do I know when to take a friend's suicide threat seriously?
The best rule to follow is if a friend says that they are going to kill themselves you should take it seriously. Don't worry
about what will happen if your friend wasn't really serious. Don't dismiss the threat as a cry for attention. Turn to
somebody who is in a position to get help for your friend if the threat is real. Obviously there are situations where
somebody may say, "I wish I was dead!" and not mean it at all but it is better to be safe than sorry.
No harm ever came from caring too much!
What should I say to my suicidal friend?
Tell them that you care about them and that they are an important part of your life. Tell them how your world would never
feel the same without them. Ask them to reach out for professional help rather than take their life into their own hands.
Don't leave them alone, get other friends involved if you must, and alert somebody who is able to intervene and get your
friend some professional help. Go to a parent, trusted adult or school official. Get help for your friend from people who
can best handle the crisis. Do not take it on yourself to talk your friend out of it or to save them from themselves -
let adults do that - just be there to help your friend through this troubling time.
What should I do to stop them?
Stay with them until a parent, trusted adult or school official is able to take control of the situation. If the threat
is an obvious emergency or if your friend is in immanent danger call 911 right away.
My friend is saying he/she wants to commit suicide after killing all the people who make him/her miserable, what should I do?
Do not try to talk your friend out of it; this could make you a target. Slip away quietly and without making a scene. Go to
your parents and the school administrators and together you can decide whether to alert your friend's family and/or the
police. Do not take it on yourself to decide if your friend's threats are credible. This is a burden you need not bear. Let
adults and trained professionals assess the situation and determine how valid the threat is and what should be done next. If
you fear reprisal from your friend make sure that you make this clear when reaching out for help. This is factor that should
be considered by the school administrators and police.
Next Page > FAQ's on Teen Suicide Part 7 > Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
