What is the meaning of the song "How to Save a Life" by The Fray?

Lead singer songwriter Isaac Slade's experience at a camp for troubled teens was a major influence for this song.

It’s about supporting someone through their problems rather than just telling them to quit their behavior.
­
This song like many others is completely open to interpretation. It can fit a whole list of things from suicide to drug abuse.

It's about watching someone you love struggle with drugs and alcohol addiction making bad choices while you make healthy ones and not knowing what to do about it specifically because of the addicts denial. Did you listen to the song? It's pretty literal.

I suspect this song is really about an abortion!

I really don't think it matters what the "meaning" is. Music is written to touch and effect the listener in some way. To me..it reminds me of both my brothers who committed suicide in 1999 and 2000. Had I only known how to save a life!
The song gets to me every time!

This song like many others is completely open to interpretation. It can fit a whole list of things from suicide to drug abuse.

With time comes attachment and you dont even realise it. By no means can you bring a duely corpse to life. This song is entirely a fugite regret, i lost my dog last night. I always attended it when it cried. I wonder what it was that stopped me from attending it last night. Maybe its short lived whimper that just wasnt strong enough to make me get out of my cozy bed. I simply wish i was there to help her find her way or else i was there to save a life. The song simply means regret. rest in peace.

ok chica who said it is about abortion. you need to go see a doctor to cure your stupid disease because you have it beyond bad. where in the hell do you see something that says it might be about abortion? either your ears or you brain is screwed up because there is nothing in there.