My friend is thinking about commiting suicide, what should I do?

Question

My says she's thinking about doing suidcide, but I'm not sure if she's REALLY telling the truth. She says that she "went to a doctor, P.H.D," and that he 'diagnosed her that she was at risk for commiting suicide", and she also said that "all the sharp objects in her house had to be locked away." When she first told me, we were ina situation when we couldn't really loock at each other, so I'm not sure if that means that she didn't want to see my reaction, or if she's trying to make up an act, and she wouldn't be able to look me in the eye and do that. She's an actress, so I don't really know if she's acting or not. Can someone help me please!? Tell me what signs to look for, and if the signs she's given can tell you anything. If you're really serious about helping me (and I need all the help I can get) than give me a serious detailed response, and if you need to, message me!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!!!

Also, are there "symptoms" for people who are REALLY thinking about doing it? Besides depressions, becuase she DEFINETLY is not depressed. Also, during class, if I'm looking across the room at her she might make signals like make a fake gun with her hand and point it at her head, or she might "pretend" like she's slitting her wrists (like with a highlighter or something, but just the motions, not ACTUALLY doing anything). PLEASE HELP ME!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Answer 1

Any time someone says that they might (or will) kill themself, this needs to be taken seriously--whether you think they're serious or not. Why don't you go ahead and call 1-800-SUICIDE and the trained volunteer who answers the phone will help you out. Generally, these volunteers really know what they're doing, and I would know, because I volunteer on a suicide/crisis line.

Answer 2

She claims she went to a doctor who said she was at risk of commiting suicide. IF this was true he would have promtely had her admitted into a hospital. Also....that isn't even a "real diagnosis". Suicide isn't a illness, it's a symptom OF illness (like bipolar disorder). Also, IF she was really suicidal she wouldn't have told anyone. Usually the ones that commit suicide do it without telling anyone and do it, to the surprise of their friends and family who are "in the dark" about the situation. Plus she seems like she's even making fun of it all when she pretends to commit suicide in class when you look over at you. Maybe she's attempting to cause drama or issues with you. Either way...tell someone. Not that she's "suicidal" but that she's doing these things and obviously stressing YOU out. I look at it as a form of abuse from your so called friend. After you get someone else involved..I'd cut off the relationship. She seems like a toxic person. One I'm sure you could do without. Good luck.

Answer 3

I lost my daughter to suicide. She always said that she would never do that, and I believed her. I've worked in hospitals (ICU) where attempted suicides were brought in. The one lady said that the 3rd time was a charm, and it was. There is no way to tell if someone will commit suicide. But I will tell you this. If I had it to do over again and could have done something to prevent it, I would have gotten my daughter the help she needed, whether she agreed to it or not. If your friend's parents won't help, contact the police, contact mental health, and don't stop making phone calls. Your friend may be an actress, but if she is, she's going about it the wrong way. But don't take the chance. If you do, you will live with it for the rest of your life if she does attempt or succeed in her attempt. Believe me, you don't want to live with that, or the pain. It never really goes away. I wasn't close to the woman in the hospital I worked at that tried twice, and did it on the 3rd try, but that has been over 20 years ago, and I still think about it. I was on a bus when a man jumped under it, and I still remember it in vivid detail to this very day, and that's been years ago. The signs were there with my daughter, but I just thought she was changing. She got rid of a collection of things that she once loved. That's a sign. Her weight changed. She did things she normally wouldn't have done. Don't live with regret over what you could have done. You have the opportunity to do something now. Get busy, and never take a threat lightly. It will haunt you for the rest of your life if you do. If you have to, go to the police station and sit down and speak with someone. If you don't get answers, go to the friend's doctor, parents, or loved ones. Tell them to talk with me if they won't listen to you. I worked with a lady whose son showed no signs of depression. One day he called her and told her that his sister (her daughter) would have to pick her up from work. The lady went home and found her son dead. He had taken his life, and she never knew why. Don't waste any time, because you never know when it will happen. In the meantime, keep talking to your friend, let her know that she is loved, and do whatever you have to in order to save her.

Answer 4

the signs for someone wanting to commit suicide actually are pretty obvious and you do not have to be a trained psychologist to notice them. Them making jokes about it like hand movements representing a gun is out of jest but her intent might still be there. One of the most common signs is them telling you they have thoughts of suicide. This should not be taken lightly. I would be more worried if this friend is isolated in any way. Prevention method is just to take the time to talk to your friend and let them express just how badly they feel. And don't play doctor just listen and offer compassion and spend quality time together.

I would not put someone in a mental hospital because i have been in one and it was more or less like being in a prison and could be quite a traumatic experience.

Answer 5

If she's really seriously suicidal, then you need to have her checked into a clinic. At the very least someone needs to stay with her all the time. If things get desperate, call 911. Suicide is a medical emergency. Talk to the PhD. or PsyD. or a psychiatrist (note that in most cases doctors with only a PhD. or PsyD. can't prescribe or administer medication, but a psychiatrist is an M.D. who specializes in psychology and can administer medication)about clinics and other ways to help.

Answer 6

Listen to Lucy7 & trust her.

You also need to know that your "friend" is not ready to be your friend right now and she is behaving improperly. She is not your friend right now.

The bad part is that by "doing the hand gestures, painting herself w/markers as if to kill herself" she has crossed a very clear line of acceptable social behavior between friends.

The good part is that you mention a "class" which leads me to think there's a school with counselors, teachers, a school nurse, maybe a school clinic.

Tell someone in the health field if possible. That is your job to do.

I do not recommend you speak with her parents because who knows what kinds of things are going on there. Your school nurse is your safest bet because she can try to be objective as to what is needed.

It is not your job to save her - you do not have the training for starters, and then there's the possible guilt should anything horrible happen.

You deserve better. And so does your friend.

Good luck to both of you. Let us know how it turns out.

Answer 7

Hmm, this is serious, 4 out of 5 people who talk about suicide, actually attempt to kill themselfs, 2 out of 4 are succesful. When u hear someone talking of suicide, u need to treat it like they actually mean it, even if they say they dont. Some "symptoms" of suicide, would be: giving away valued belongings, retreat of group socials, abnormal behavior, acting as if they are "daredevils". By the way, Cheryl C does not know what he/she is talking about, if someone talks of sucide, its not because they want attention, remember, 1 out of every 4 want attension, 3 out of 4 MEAN IT.

Answer 8

A person who is truly serious about committing suicide generally will keep it to him/herself. A person who says he/she is going to commit suicide is really looking to be saved.

She doesn't really want to die. She just doesn't want to live. She's probably afraid of dying, but really hates life.

She is to be taken seriously. She is looking to be saved, but if no one saves her, she will think no one cares if she lives or dies, and would probably take it to the next level. She needs to get help.

Look for the signs that she doesn't speak of. Does she seem sullen, withdrawn, or depressed? People who are suicidal tend to sever their social connections with people.

However, if she is acting, you'd have to look at the facts. For instance, if her condition was so serious that "all sharp objects in her house had to be locked away" that would mean that she was a "HIGH RISK." I know from experience that if you are a "HIGH RISK" in ANY category (suicidal, homicdal, etc) they will usually REQUIRE you voluntarily or involutarily to spend time in a mental hospital. She would be on suicide watch. In fact, she'd probably be in a mental hospital on suicide watch with no shoelaces and hospital garments.

So, I would say that her claim that she went to a doctor and all sharp objects were locked away was probably an exaggeration. However, don't take her claims lightly. She could truly be suicidal and you don't take chances. Seek some help for her.

Answer 9

If your friend is seriously thinking of commiting suicide there are signs that you need to watch for as she wont come right out and say hey by the way I am going to kill myself tonight. But there will most likely be signs.
Pay attention to her mood... if generally she is down and depressed and suddenly she is in higher spirits... it could be that she is planning on ending it and has no worries about it.
If she starts giving away things that she normally wouldnt give away... like say that she had something that you really liked and if she was going to end it she may just give it to you because after she is gone she wont have the use for it anymore.
If she begins talking or joking about suicide like its no big deal.
If she has mentioned a plan of how she is going to do it.
If she self injurs- cuts and the cuts seem to be getting deeper...
If she is unsually quiet or withdrawn... she could be thinking about suicide.
If she writes a letter or a note.... get help fast.

If she is being honest and a doctor really did say that she was at risk for commiting suicide then I guess all you can do is be there for her. Make sure you check with her on a regular basis and see how she is doing... if she says okay ask "are you sure?" she may have clued you in so you know whats going on and shes scared... or she may be just looking for attention. If she wasnt able to to look you in the eye it could mean one of two things... she was ashamed of what she was telling you or she wasnt being honest. You say she is an actress so that does indeed make things harder to tell. If you are in school I would notify the counselor and the principal just so that they have the heads up too. Also it might be a good idea to talk to her parents and tell them that you are really concerned about her. Also make sure you let your friend know that you are really concerned about her well being and tell her that if she were to end her life that you and many other people would be really hurt that she did that. Most people who are thinking of suicide dont really want to hurt other people, they are just so wrapped up in their own pain that it makes them feel hopeless... like there is no way out. Encourage her to talk if she seems really quiet. Set up a time to go out and have some fun. It may give her something to look forward to then she will want to live for that occasion. have her think of things that she wouldn't get to do if she were to end her life... chances are that she doesnt really want to die, she just feels trapped.

But if you ever find that you are in a situation where she seems to be in immense danger of hurting herself...call 911 or 1800SUICIDE right away she definitely needs help.

If I had succeeded at my attempt that I made at school when I was 16... I wouldnt be here to give you this knowelege. No issue is worth ending a life over. But sometimes we get so stuck that we feel that there is no way out. My signs were I was cutting, I didnt talk about how I was feeling, and I didnt tell anyone about my plan until the day that I did it. I wrote 15 letters to friends and dropped them off in the office for the people to be called down during the morning announcements. Still it was almost too late. I had already overdosed on the meds that I had with me.I ended up collapsing at the top of a stairwell... my algebra teacher, guidance counselor, and principal were all there... as they waited for the ambulance... I was fortunate enough to go to a high school right across the street from a hospital.

Anyway that is just part of my story... and all of what I could possibly think to tell you right now. I hope that it is of some help to you.

Answer 10

never take these things lightly talk to her family members my sisters best friend did shoot herself she was in intensive therapy and she had no hope we never knew it was that bad depression has no feeling it does not care who you are or how talented you are #1 tell her that her feelings will pass and its not hopeless it is a medical problem that many go through affects 1 in4 on the view on Friday they had a special on the issue she needs help and a good friend to be there for her tell her to write in a private journal to share with her theripist so when shes in a deep time her thoughts that talking to her are recorded this is serious !!