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Ask the Experts Frequently Asked Questions
Emotional Health
I think my friend is suicidal. What can I do to help him?
About 1,400 teenagers attempt suicide every day. That�s tragic. So, it�s good that you�re taking this seriously and want to help your friend. Here are some things you can do, in this order:
1. Tell your friend that you care. Tell him that you�d be so sad and hurt if he weren�t around anymore.
2. Suggest that your friend see a counselor or therapist. You, as a friend, have a very special place in that person�s life. But none of us is equipped to handle a suicidal friend or family member, unless we�re trained as counselors or therapists ourselves. So, encourage your friend to get help. Offer to go to the first appointment with your friend to show your support. But don�t play therapist by yourself. You could end up making it worse.
3. Talk with your friend�s parent(s). If your friend refuses to get help, you have to tell your friend�s parents or another trusted adult. This is the true test of friendship. We know your friend will probably get mad that you told. But, in the end, your friend will understand that you were only trying to help. It�s much better to take steps now than end up feeling sorry that you didn�t tell someone, if your friends ends up hurting or killing himself or herself.
4. Tell your friend to call 1-800-SUICIDE, or call it yourself, with your friend right there. This is a 24-hour, free hotline, staffed by trained professionals. Just making the call might put your friend on the road to recovery. You can also call the hotline yourself and ask for more suggestions on how to help your friend.
5. Call 911. If you get a call from a friend who says she has taken some pills, or who says he has a plan to kill himself that day, you need to consider it an emergency. Call 911 and tell them your friend�s location. You just might save your friend�s life.
In the end, though, realize that there�s only so much you can do. You can�t take responsibility for another person�s depression. And sometimes, people take their own lives, no matter how much help a friend offers. People in this situation always beat themselves up, saying, �If only I did more for her or him,� or �I could have stopped this from happening!� But that�s not true. We all make decisions for ourselves. If you take the steps outlined above, you�ll have done everything you can to help your friend.
