Hii everyone, a few weeks ago I had to prevent and talk two people out of suicide after a break up. One of them I had to deal with myself since I couldn't reach her parents but eventually someone else told them and was able to be notified. And then a week after a guy tried the same thing except this time I was able to do more and message his mom through facebook, which the other girl's parents does not have. They did not kill themselves but they both admitted that were going to do it, no joke. Just wondered, if someone kills themselves and they told you they were going to do it and you don't do anything about it, are there any legal consequences? Or is it just a moral thing where people will look down upon you for not taking action? Just wondered and also wondered how often someone is seriously planning on suicide vs. someone just seeking attention and has no plans of it.

[Altered Moment]

I do not think there would be any legal consequences unless possibly if you were a therapist or pdoc or teacher or someone required by law to take action. Even then it is very much a judgement call and I doubt legal action would be taken. I don't know though. In the case of a professional they have to call 911 and have them committed to a hospital if they truly feel they are an imminent danger to themselves or others. I know this is true in the States but not sure about other places.

I think you have to take it seriously even if someone is just seeking attention. How are we to know. Very tough position to be in and to know what to do.

It has only happened to me once when I was a teenager. My next door neighbor and very good friend told me that she was going to kill herself that night by swallowing a bottle of pills. I had no idea what to do. I didn't want her mad at me for "ratting" on her. I fretted and fretted and ended up not telling anyone. If she had succeeded I don't know how I would have handled it. She told me she took a bottle of aspirin and of course that is not going to do the job. I was very relieved. I was happy that she felt she could confide in me. Breaking that trust may have been worse, I don't know, I was only a teen.

I have told my pdoc that i even had a plan but he did not even consider having me admitted as far as I can tell. I had to really assure him I did not intend on following through. I could have been lying though. I can't believe I told him that much. Thoughts are pretty normal for us. Plans and means to carry it out is something else entirely.

Sounds to me like you did the right thing and good for you. Not easy and took courage.

[IrisBloom]

Welcome, Ryan. You really can't stop someone if that is what they are determined to do. I don't believe anyone can be held legally responsible unless you help them do it. For a lot of people the thought of suicide is like a last resort, an escape plan in the back of their mind, but don't really intend to do it, or keep delaying it. Others come to a point where they see no other option. It is my opinion that those who really want to, do it, and someone who reaches out for help does not really want to. I put it this way: One might think that is the only choice, whether now or later. But, if you are faced with a life threatening situation (Illness, crime, injury) almost all of the time your survival instinct kicks in and you will do anything to live.

It's been said that if someone says they want to do it to take them seriously, and you should. You can only help them so much and it is their own responsibility to seek professional help. It is a terrible feeling that you can't help them, and if they do it, it is normal to feel some guilt. But ultimately it is not your fault, and you certainly didn't want it to happen.

There are those who use threatening or wanting to commit suicide to seek attention. Again, I'd take them seriously, but advise them to get professional help. If someone really wants help, they will get help.