How should I answer suicidal people?

Question

I keep seeing on Yahoo Q&A people asking for ways to kill themselves. I say if they want to die that badly lets all brainstorm ways to help them out. Who's with me?

Answer 1

What you don't realise is that when someone feels that bad, they aren't thinking straight. They often feel very lonely, totally isolated, and as though they have no-one to talk to. Often they want help, but don't know how to get it, or have tried, but been let down by the health services. When you feel that desparate and that alone, asking questions on yahoo answers and getting back caring, sincere answers from people can make you feel a whole lot better. Even though it seems to you like people are just attention seeking, you have no way of knowing what their problems are and what their state of mind is at that time. I've seen one of your other questions, and telling someone "go kill yourself" could actually be enough to tip someone over the edge if they are truely feeling suicidal.

I'd recommend that if you don't have any sympathy for these people, then you should just ignore these questions. If you don't feel able to offer appropriate advice or support, then don't say anything. Because people would rather get no answers at all, than get cruel answers from people who just don't understand.

Answer 2

I tell them to go to the hospital and ask for enough meds to kill them there. I figure they might be crazy enough to take my advice and then get some help. Saying, "Go to a hospital, Sweetie," doesn't seem likely to actually get them to go. In fact, here's my boilerplate answer:

The easiest thing to do in a situation like this is to go to the emergency room and tell them that you need a quick way to kill yourself. They can give you an injection and the best part is, you will be dead and you won't have to pay the bill.

Guns are not 100% reliable anyway. You'd be surprised how often people actually MISS. They injure themselves terribly and end up paralyzed, but not dead. The same thing can happen with pills. You take a ton of pills and leave yourself pretty much helpless and brain dead, but not dead dead. Cutting yourself has the same risk. You can REALLY cut yourself deeply, but your body is an amazing machine. It can tell where you are bleeding and it tightens up the blood vessels near the wound to try to make the bleeding stop. Then your brain is oxygen deprived from lack of blood and you end up just stupid instead of dead. I mean, you will start to act like your brain was fried on drugs and not be able to even complete a sentence sometimes. I am telling you these things because I have known 3 or 4 people in EACH CATEGORY who ended up this way.

No, your best bet is to go to a hospital where they know what they are doing and get it done right. The sooner you go, the better.

Answer 3

Most of the people that say they want to kill themselves are just looking for attention and sympathy. The best thing to do is tell them to see a psychaitrist and get help. Tell them they will feel totally different if the get on medication and therapy. This type of condition is probably depression based. Telling them life is worth living and that they are beauiful is pretty much useless. It won't work, they need help from a professional. I should know...

Answer 4

You know what you are an idiot for making a statement like that!!!!! There really are people in this forum that really suicidal and turn to other people for help? Next time you see someone like that maybe you should think before you speak and just maybe you could help someone out instead of making an ignorant statement like that!!!!! Grow up or go to another forum if you can't read then maybe you don't know that you are in a mental health one!!! JERK

Answer 5

I think that sensivity will always help in these situations, if I am ever faced with such a person the first question I want to ask them is WHY ? Its important to know what is going on inside their heads at that point in time to want to make such a decision. Its tragic even thinking about it.

Answer 6

They're probably just baiting you or looking for someone to talk to. If you really want to kill yourself, you'll figure out a way. Also, if any are sincere about wanting help, there are plenty of resources out there. Without knowing where they are, you really can't do anything.

Answer 7

Simply tell them to call 1-800-SUICIDE before they harm themselves. The ones that are serious will not be cured by psychoanalysis on Answers. By responding at length to the non-serious and jokers, you are just feeding their need for attention.

Answer 8

I have had a very traumatic life and have tried to commit suicide, no one cared, no one helped. I had a few ER visits, I became a cutter. No one cares about anyone anymore. Everybody is in it for themselves. To hell with people like me. They probably say just do it and get it over with.

Answer 9

careful

what goes around cometh around

every life is worth Jesus coming to earth to die in our place

its about hope

ok kill yourself-let Jesus in your heart to forgive your sins and become your friend-its called being self crucified-then get the power of salvation and go on to resurection power-you got more than joyfull anticipation

i was going to kill myself once as a Jew with everything in life empty inside-did i care if all my friends would be sad and those that didnt like me would be glad

that i would go were Jeusus says forever gnashin teeth for rejecting him and lettin him in my heart to start anew??

think about it friend-help others give em life-and help yourself too as u pass through life till the next one-you got a mission -fulfill it

Answer 10

People who post on Yahoo Q&A about their suicide obviously just want attention, not advice. Of course you could turn it into a joke on them and actually give them advice on how to kill themselves. Personally I think it sad when people resort to 'cutting' or whatever just for attention.