suicide is a permanant solution to a temporary problem, it is also the most selfish act a person can put his/her family through.

Tell them: I know you think that there is no way out of your pain, but there is. Think about how your family and friends will feel. Think about how guilty I will feel that I wasn't able to stop you. I can help you get the help that you need. I can listen to your problems and help you find a way out. Please don't consider this as your only option.

"There are people here who love you and need for you to be here for them. whatever problem you are facing, is not too big for you to handle. I will make every effort to get you the help you need, so your family can continue to love you, as in the past. Here is my hand. i am your friend and i will be with you all the way. all i ask is a chance to prove myself to you. Will you give me that chance?"

I would ask to tell me if there was something that "triggered" these feelings, or if it had been a long term feeling. If it was specific to one thing, I would ask them to tell me about that, and allow them to cry, get angry and vent their feelings, especially their anger, in particular around that event, to help difuse their level of despair and frustration. I would ask them to tell me how they felt, aside from just words like "depressed," and get those other words into play, so they might lead to other directions and feelings besides self destruction. If they told me they had these feelings a long time, or if I sensed they were emotionally ill with severe depression, bi-polar, or something else much more serious, and in a very hopeless and impulsive state, I would go more cautiously. If they had any kind of deadly weapon, I would try to get it if I could safely and quickly, then call 911. If I couldn't, I would tell them to wait a minute...I wanted to show them something...go to my car or wherever was close and private, and call 911, and then get back to my friend until help arrived. If they were rageful and trying to hurt me or maybe themselves (without a weapon) I would surprise them (him or her) with a very hard punch to the jaw, and when they were down and maybe out, call 911. Rather have a friend with a broken jaw or nose than have them dead. If they were drunk, it's almost impossible to talk sense to a drunk, whether it is about suicide or anything else. I would go for a phone, or if they had alcohol with them and NO weapon I could see at all, I'd ask for a drink, get them to drink more, then go for or use my phone to call 911. With a GPS phones now, I could just leave it on and they would find us pretty quickly.

Well, tough question for sure. I have some family experience with this. I would talk with them and not tell them all the reasons they should want to live, since most suicidal people unless they are totally out of touch with reality will have a negative comeback for those things. I would ask them why they want to die, and go from there. Skirting around the issue without finding out what is causing it is a waste of time I think. Assuming no gun or knife or razor was there, I might be more aggressive also if I felt I had to be, then call 911. I would definitely try to coax them into sharing and expressing feelings, rather than talk about how much better life is than death.

Honestly, the last thing I'd say is anything about religion or Deity. I'd probably listen to them tell me why he/she felt so hopeless. I'd validate his/her feelings, and assure the person that his/her feelings are normal. I'd tell him/her that he/she is not alone. I'd tell the story of my mother, and say that she also didn't think there was any hope or anyone cared. Then, I'd assist him/her finding help. If the situation became an immediate threat to my friend's continued health at any point, I'd dial 9-1-1. (This is from a woman who's mother shot herself, just fyi.)

If I thought they were be truthful then I wouldn't say anything to them, I'd say something to their parents instead.

it's your choice, but it won't help any thing.

I would tell them how mush they would hurt those left behind that cared and loved them. That it is really quit selfish to take your life, causing so much pain for family, for the rest of their lives. Think of those who love you.

Interesting string of comments. I tried to kill myself numerous times. Being told I was selfish in a time of acute crisis? Are you insane (and yes, I was - thank you). What helped me was having someone to talk to about the pain I was and willing to make sure that I was safe. If it is a close friend, get them to your house or someplace where they cannot hurt themselves. If they have children, you can point out the fact that your friend needs to be their for his or her children. Talking to themj until they calm down helps. Find out if it is just talk or serious - do they have capability to kill themselves or is it just a gesture or idle talk? You are a good friend to take this so seriously.

my best friend told me she loved me i was thirteen and dead serious about it so was she she's still my best friend