You will probably not be able to do that. If a person reaches a point where the only solution he or she sees is suicide, he or she needs professional help. There are mainly two reasons why somebody would commit suicide: 1) He's mentally ill, for example suffering from depression. In that case, he needs to see a doctor. He'll probably need to take some kind of medication and do a therapy. 2) He has a "rational" reason for suicide. For example, his business has gone bancrupt. In that case, he needs somebody to help him sort out his problems for him, probably in addition to a therapy.

If someone is telling you they want to kill themselves, more than likely they are looking for attention. The people who actually follow through with suicide are the people who don't say anything. Speaking from a person who works with psychiatric patients on a daily bases, the more you feed into them, the more they will milk the whole suicide thing. Tell them to talk to a therapist, tell them you don't have the training to deal with that kind of situation.

Im most cases there is not enough time to refer someone to a psychiatrist or someone else that can help. I personally know a few people who are scuisidal and have attempted more than once, so it is NOT to gather attention. It is true that there are two main reasons for scuiside: The first being that the person does have depression, bi-polar disorder or some other type of mental health problem. The second reason being someone has experienced a rough period in their lives and beleive that nothing will get better. The problem with suisidal people is when these two reasons combine. In such cases i personaly have tried the following Firstly, comfort the person, tell them that things will get better, Tell them that you will always be there for them. Even such obvious statements can really help some Secondly, You can tell them that many people will miss him or her, and that they themselves might become depressed and mourn a lot. And if that doesnt work: A more subtle means is to get more forcible, for example tell her that suicide is a selfish act and they should not do it, basically become a bit more forcive and even abusive. I have not tried the last method and i do not beleive so much in its validity, but i have been told that it does work. Just keep in mind how and what you say so that it does not make the situation worse.

Unless, you're a trained mental health professional, then it's best to discuss this issue with someone who has been clinically-trained in psychology and/or psychiatry.

Everyone is saying 'take them to a psychiatrist', but it isn't always best. Usually they don't feel loved, so you have to make it terribly clear that you love them. If they feel they have nothing to live for, prove to them they do. If they have done something terrible, surely things would be no better if they were dead? Don' leave them alone AT ALL until you are a 1000% sure they are not suicidal. Still suicidle by the end of it all? Then professional help is all that is left

Follow through - Always take suicide threats seriously. When someone tells you they are going to commit suicide call the emergency services right away. Even if the person is simply pushing your buttons, if you have a plan ready to deal with the situation and you follow through they’ll think twice before pushing your buttons again. And even if they are not just trying to push your buttons, you may just save a life.

I wish I had the answer to that question. I am afraid there is no true answers. Maybe just some advice. However if a person has set their goal at suicide, there is nothing that a person can say to stop them. I would suggest being there for them and see if they will go talk to someone with you about it. If the person is an adult that is about it. If you are speaking of a child please go to a counselor and talk to them maybe they can get them some help before it it to late. If they are looking for help it will help them.

True story - a friend of mine came across somebody who was going to jump from a very high bridge. He spent nearly two hours engaging the person in conversation. Then he had a flash of psychological inspiration and said, "Look, I'm off duty in ten minutes and they won't pay overtime." The guy said, "Oh, right."... and jumped.

Don't.... If they really are intent on doing it; saving them is condemning them to live.

True, you have not the ability to understand their perspective, even if they themselves are warped. It is not for you to dissuade them from suicide. They have valid reasons, and all the "I'm here for you" shit, which frankly that is, is a patronising notion to push them into an asylum full of "professionals" who have fancy words and drugs to keep them controlled. It is my firm understanding that nobody these days knows anything worth knowing. Dr Chitty at New Court Surgery in W-S-M should be named and shamed for actively not giving a SHITE. It's not a 9-5 when dealing with human life, but apparently people have more compassion when the neighbour’s cat gets run over. Fuck you Chitty, ROT IN HELL. I want him fired in case you didn't know! I love my boyfriend and until I get over him, I'm not going anywhere.

Don't try to do it. You may only make matters worse. They need professional help right away.

Appeal to his ego.

I was once told to wait 24 hours and if the urge was still that intense that I can do it. It was not as intense. Suicidal tendencies come in waves. They are never CONSTANT, but can be extremly frequent. I fight mine often and always wonder why I do.

Show them Emile Durkhiem's sociological perspective on suicide, make sure they understand it, and challenge them to be original. It works.

Get a large group of people to tell them that they love him/her simultanously. I guarantee it will be the best moment of their life.

Porn.