Friends-In-Trouble Tips

[Yan Wang]

Originally Posted by David Kelly

Thats exactly what you dont want to do. If somebody would go as far as having suicide thoughts, or attempting, its almost too late. If you think somebody really needs help, you've got to tell somebody. You can start with the parents, but thats not always the best solution. You absolutely dont want to be in the position of saying to yourself "I didnt tell anybody because I thought he/she was okay," and then they go out and commit suicide. That guilt of thinking you could have done something to save their life would haunt you for the rest of your life.

I said that 'if it's not' life threatening, then it's not anyone's business. And that's still very true. If my friend were to have thoughts about suicide, then that would NOT fall under the non-lifethreatening category. If I really thought that person "really needs help", then that WOULD obviously be life-threatening and I would call their parents or some adult. Or at least talk to them. I thought my post made the distinction very clear. Sorry if it didn't. I was agreeing with everyone. [and lost rep points for it]

[Yan Wang]

Oh, here's two situations: something to fall under the non-lifethreatening category would be if a friend went to parties and had alcoholic-drinks. If that person does that once a month or infrequently, then I would leave them alone and consider it a stage of being a teenager. If, however, that person became an alcoholic, then I would be inclined to first start talking to them. And if that doesn't work, talk to their parents.

If it's life-threatening, get an adult, preferably the parents of the person.

If it's not, it's not your business to deal with it.

[Blacknight]

I would first try to help them yourself. Imediatly getting someone else if they only came to you might make them go over the edge or do something drastic because they do not want others to kno what's going on or might be afraid of what will happen to them. But if you do get someone else tell them not to say anything unless the person comes to them, or if there is no other choice.