how do i save someones life from themselves if i don't even know them?

Question

someone emailed me using Yahoo answers saying they had AIDS and wanted to die on the spot.

Answer 1

That's a sign that person is seeking help and looking to you for advice. Respond immediately and express your concern and willingness to listen to their problems. I wish you good luck!

Answer 2

Talk back to that person. Be nice. Be supportive for giving positive answers and feedbacks. You dont have to be someones relative or to know them better to help. Helping in any kind of methods is already being a good. You will feel good if you helped someone. Besides, its how you portray yourself on how helpful you are.

About that anonymous person who has contacted with that disease, i would suggest to you to reply and telling that person to take it real slow and seek medical help as soon as possible. Only time and prayers will help. Suicide DOES NOT HELP IN SOLVING MATTERS! it only brings misery to family members and beloved friends. You must encourage that person not to do so. Live strong!

Answer 3

talk to them, start the conversation but trying to find out more about the situation, then bring it around so that you suggest ways it can be sorted or it isnt as bad as they think etc. you definately cant ignore this though as they must have chosen to talk to you for a specific reason, and you wouldnt want to be responsible for someones death would you? you must also convice them to talk to a specialist (this will be the hardest part of the conversation for you)

Answer 4

wow thats a tough one,
email him or her back and tell them that millions of people have aids and that none of them commited suicide
tell them other encouraging stuff
but chances are the person is already dead or they are already healed and no longer have suicidal thoughts

Answer 5

For immediate reply to a suicide threat, I would say:
"I don't know your name, but I'm glad you contacted me so I can try to help you any way I can. I'm concerned about you and want you to feel safe. Are you someplace where you feel okay to talk? Is there some place where you will feel better while you work through this? You deserve more time, not less. That is too much for anyone to think about all at once, so this is a natural reaction. As anyone who has been through this probably felt just like you right now. Do you have someone to call, a close friend or family nearby who would want to know this so they can be there for you? I'm sure they love you so much no matter what you need. I know you can pull together. No one should ever have to face this alone, so I'm glad you told me. Can I help you figure out the best person to contact to help you through this sweetheart?"
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For longer term support, for someone who feels like dying but is not threatening physical damage immediately:
I would say that is understandable and natural to panic at first, but with today's medicine it's not as it was before. People can live stable lives with HIV and can reduce the effects of AIDS. Encourage them to find a good doctor and follow the treatments they offer now. If it really is that hopeless, they can make a decision with full facts; but at least find out what they are first before deciding. If they lose the will to live, even healthy people can die. But as long as they have the will to live, the body can endure and respond to treatments and it doesn't have to be as bad. Many people have made it through this, so I would ask them to contact a hotline or clinic, and not to give up.

P.S. Personally I met a man who had lived with HIV for 10 years, at a time this was unheard of, because he took good care of his health. He dedicated his life to teaching people not to give up, and especially not to go out and re-expose themselves over and over which increased their chances of HIV turning to AIDS. Given time to think it over, people have put their situation in perspective and planned how they want to use their remaining years in life, in order to make the most of it. That is what I would encourage people to do, but obviously they have to release the panic and anger stage first before they can think about long term reasoning. The main thing is not to panic or overreact with them, but to remain calm and faithful and patient and supportive, giving them room to vent and express whatever they are thinking until they can calm down and work through this rationally without that initial shock.

With friends who have expressed suicidal thoughts, I have let them know it's okay to have those thoughts, but to finish the whole process first before acting it out. That I would support them no matter what they decided to do, but to finish working through all the options until they are calm about it, and sure what they really want, and not just reacting emotionally. In serious cases, you would be advised to refer them to a professional crisis hotline and not try to counsel a seriously suicidal person by yourself unless you are trained to do so.
I only talk with friend I know personally, but with people I don't know I encourage them to consult with a professional "in addition" to keeping in touch with me until they can find a doctor or someone they can talk with in person to deal with the rest.

Answer 6

does saving them mean for them not to die?