What to do if someone is threatening self harm?

[Raccoon1010]

I've noticed a couple threads lately about people saying they are threatening self harm or saying they are tempted with it. This topic can be difficult so I usually stay out of them because of possible legal ramifications. There is an article here that spells out what you can do: Practical strategies and tips for effective support - How do I respond if someone says that they want to kill themselves?

 

[Lambano]

Sister Mayflower posted this sticky thread in the Addictions and Recovery forum:

Resources for when suicidal

 

[Raccoon1010]

Sister Mayflower posted this sticky thread in the Addictions and Recovery forum:

Resources for when suicidal

I haven't seen her around for a long time. I hope she is well. She is missed.

And thanks for linking that in this thread.

I had to deal with someone a couple years ago that was suicidal, and it wasn't easy, in the end we called the police to talk to them. He had been locked up in a mental ward for a while. Protected from self harm. He is doing better now thankfully. But he had a BB gun and was going to pull it on police to get himself shot because he was homeless. We said "not so fast" and let the police know that. Turned out OK.

But looking back I shy from that situation as it is a tough love kinda measure to call the authorities on someone.

I see a psychiatrist and counsellor myself and they always state that if I tell them I'm going to harm myself or someone else they are required by law to inform the authorities. And I see that as good.

 

[Lambano]

And thanks for linking that in this thread.

I had a friend take his own life quite publicly in a major airport, and I've lost several fellow church-members to suicide over the years, one of whom was a dear friend of my wife.

I wrote to one of the CB staff for advice when another member was signalling they were contemplating suicide. I was advised to tell the person to go to safe places with other people around, encourage them to use the hotline numbers, give them encouraging scriptures, and pray. There's not much else we can do.

 

[Raccoon1010]

I had a friend take his own life quite publicly in a major airport, and I've lost several fellow church-members to suicide over the years, one of whom was a dear friend of my wife.

I wrote to one of the CB staff for advice when another member was signalling they were contemplating suicide. I was advised to tell the person to go to safe places with other people around, encourage them to use the hotline numbers, give them encouraging scriptures, and pray. There's not much else we can do.

I had one of my highschool best friends commit suicide and now I don't get to hang out with him any more.

 

[Rockerduck]

I knew of only a few that took their own life. Not one was a Christian. Every one was male, middle age, and drunk when they did. The main thing is, they did not tell anyone before hand of their feelings.