How do you feel about answering the seemingly repeated suicide questions?

Question

I see them all the time. I never answer as I don't think I could provide a struggling person with timely advice. What do you think? How do you usually respond?

Answer 1

It is a source of eternal annoyance to me. Everyone always says to same thing. Something like "No do not do it you're special. People will miss you. Go get professional help!" I just wish they would look up some of the old questions and answers. It proves their I am Alone statement completely wrong. I also find post about Do you think I have <Mental Dissorder>? annoying. Just look up the symptoms online!  

Answer 2

I hate not being able to sit them right down and talk with them.

I had suicidal thoughts so I know how bad they can be.

Other than telling them to see their doctor or go to the emergency room I can't do much for them.

It saddens me that so many people want to end their life.

Answer 3

I tell them to do what they will.

Answer 4

id tell them to go ahead with it... its up to them to decide if they want to tak them selves out of the equation, id recomend killing spree over suicide any day of the week.

Answer 5

I've noticed that some of the questions seem to be avoided -- I decided I would try to say something so the asker would have a response and know there are people who listen and care.  It seemed better to me than just ignoring another person's pain and cry for help

Answer 6

I'm a RN so some questions I very carefully answer. I've noticed that most questions have been answered by RN's who work in the mental health field. I usually go back and check to make sure though, to make sure.  It can be very draining both emotionally and physically.

Answer 7

I usually respond to go seek counseling but it is getting to the point where I am going to tell them how to succeed at it  

Answer 8

I give them the suicide hotlines numbers. http://suicidehotlines.com/

Answer 9

I stay away from them - just to be safe

Answer 10

Probably not the same as many folks do.

The person who is so depressed that they are considering suicide has some overwhelming hurdles ahead of them.

#1 hurdle, is to STAY ALIVE

#2 hurdle is KEEP STAYING ALIVE

#3 hurdle is to seek treatment

#4 hurdle is to stay in treatment

  ( this is harder than #3, it may take several trial meds and thearpies to find the one that works best for you)

#5 hurdle is dealing with the stigma of mental health issues.

#6 hurdle is figuring out how to stay healthy after you and your mental health professional settle on a successful or helpful thearpy or combination of thearpies.

#7 hurdle is the realization and accetance that it won't be easy.

#8 hurdle is to recognize what triggers your illness to get worse.

#9 hurdle is to find a support system, a group, or folks who understand your dfficulties and have your same values, or to put it another way have the same goals as you do.

#10 hurdle is go back to the beginning of this list.

Your life can be compared to watching a scary movie, the camera playing the movie is your brain, your brain cannot "get a rash," the way that illness is observable is by your behavior, which is your response to the "scary movie." Just like after the movie you go outside and take a breath of fresh air, sip your soda and think, wow that was scary but now its not any more is the difference in the way you will feel after you get past the crisis.

Just like a diabetic, you will learn to recognize complications of your disease, low blood sugar makes you feel weak and shakey, eat somthing. High blood sugar causes different symptoms.

Depression and other mental health problems are no different than Heart disease or diabetes. Sometimes folks act like they are because they feel very threatened by them or are ignorant.

There is no shame in needing help. We all need to ask for help sometimes.

Answer 11

From the experience of having attempted suicide and being close enough to success to be hospitalized for a past attempt.  Even a crossing though can be considered serious and a possible summons of a repeat and equally dangerous consideration.  These questions are not a waste of time, they are a mental virus which require support from professional and/or family/friends.  I will even give a troll the benefit of the doubt if the question is to be viewed by those likely to cross a darker border.

Answer 12

DO NOT THINK ABOUT KILLING YOUSELF!! I KNOW SOMEONE WHO DID AND BELIEVE ME SINCE THEY DID MY LIFE HASN'T BEEN THE SAME SINCE!! THINK ABOUT THE PERSON THAT HAS TO FIND YOU, THEY WILL HAVE SLEEP LESS NIGHTS THINKING ABOUT IT. IT WILL CAUSE MORE EMOTIONAL SCARING. WHATS THAT BAD YOU NEED TO KILL YOURSELF OVER? WHATS THE POINT IN PUTTING A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO A TEMPORARY PROBLEM? I SUGGEST YOU GO TO YOUR LOCAL HOSPITAL AND EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT YOU'RE SUICIDAL. BELIEVE ME, IVE THOUGHT ABOUT SUICIDE BEFORE AND THEN NOT DONE ANYTHING..ITS NOT WORTH IT. IF WHATEVER IT IS THATS THAT BAD THAT YOU'RE GONNA KILL YOURSELF OVER PLEASE, GET SOME HELP ON IT..

FRIEND KILLED HIMSELF,, FRIEND'S SISTER FOUND HIM, I HAD SLEEPLESS NIGHTS AFTERWARDS

along those lines

Answer 13

help those people find faith in themselves. they need to find the good things in their life because they usually think that everythin in their life is horrible, but they need to realize not everything is that bad and that there are people that suffer more than they do

Answer 14

just to go get help

what else could we say??

Answer 15

I tell them not to do it and to get help. Suicide is a pernament solution for a temperary problem. I usually give them links to sites or anonymous help lines for them to call. I am scared that if I don't answer these questions they will go through with it and they might not if I try to help them. I feel resposible for them kinda

Answer 16

I only answer a few of these.  They are depressing and I don't come on here to be depressed.  It is "selfish" but I have bipolar and need to watch how much sad drama I take in.  I relate more to the ones who say they are having suicidal thoughts, don't want to act on it, but don't know what to do.  I think those are more genuine.  Although I think all are reaching out to know they are not alone, I don't think many are very serious.  I've been suicidal enough times.  When it's acute, I would never think of posting on the Internet about it.  I've asked a few others that I know, and they say the same.  So, I am skeptical for a few reasons.  That's not saying they are not seriously upset and have some suicidal thoughts.  It's just that I don't believe they are about to do the deed.  Some of the people reading the Q, however, may be a different matter.

I have answered a few of those, "Tell me how to painlessly die" questions.  These I really don't think are real.  When someone really wants to do themself in, s/he is pretty good at research, or if it's acute, improvising.  I usually answer that there is no painless way.  There was one where others told the guy how to do it.  I went thru each method and explained how it would be painful.  He then bugged me via email.  Had to block him after a while since he wouldn't accept that I absolutely was not giving him info.  I probably won't answer a question like that again.

As for you, don't take the weight of the questions on as your burden.  The world has some very sad ppl in it, but not really so many suicidal ones, and even fewer that succeed.  You are right.  There is little real help that can be offered by answering these questions.  A few simple lines that aren't a canned cliche lets the person know they were heard is more than enough.  Mostly, you have to take care of yourself most.  If this section saddens you, then don't hang here.  It wouldn's be good for you and that should be your primary concern.

Answer 17

If no one else is responding, I'll answer with something about there being help if they ask and that regardless of how they feel at the moment, their lives have great value.  If it's a troll-like question, meh, too many others read and take a message from it anyway.  If others are responding, then I don't.  There are too many on here and it's not exactly an uplifting topic.

Answer 18

I usually don't respond because so many already do, I find them depressing, and I see too many.  If I do, I usually say to get help, that letting pride stand in the way isn't a good reason to die, and they deserve to receive the help they can get.  (Pride too often IS the reason ppl don't seek help.  That and feeling unworthy.)  

I hate that, "It's a permanent solution to a temporary problem" canned answer, btw.  It is a thougthless cliche that means nothing when you are contemplating suicide.  And, ya know, every once in a while it's a permanent solution to a permanent problem.

Answer 19

True that one can't do much for the person that asks, but one can only hope that one can sense any positive vibes from the answer. Been fortunate of late, or maybe their not of my contact list, that I don't see such questions of late. If I was flooded by such questions. I would only try to respond positively on the matter. Never negative. Have to wish them what's good and rethink their decision.

Answer 20

i tell them that they arent really thinking of anyone else if they gonna kill themself.

and tell them to go to a doctor or something.