[Rio_]

I just got back from holiday, and in my inbox on another messageboard I visit I had a PM from one of my friends there, which started sounding happy, but at the end he said he felt he was closer to suicide than he had been in a long time. (He's had serious depression since childhood - he's 28 now.) He mentioned family circumstances and "impending doom", and said he wanted to "end it" before those, probably within the next six months.

I know he's "just" an online friend, but is there anything I can do? He lives very far away from me...I feel so helpless.

[bipolar_bear]

((((((((((((((((((((((((Rio and friend)))))))))))))))))))) I am sorry I am not much help but being there for him and knowing you care is so important to people. Even in real life there is only so much you can do. I am not sure there is a way to "track down" someone through your service provider if things become immenent. You may check into that. I am sorry that he is hurting so much.

BB

[Irine]

so after that PM he dissapeared?

wow i can understand you! i also used to have lots of online friend. 3 really good.

i even admire one who is on a message board and he also has a live journal and i almost always have him on my mind.

but i think that..see what happenes did you send him PMs? he didn`t unswer?

[Fuzzybear]

(((((((((((((((( Rio )))))))))))))))

Thinking of you and your friend

[Rio_]

(((bipolar_bear))) Thanks. You are being helpful, I appreciate the advice! You're right about that, and I've been very grateful for the times he's been there for me when I've been having a hard time, but unfortunately I know so little about depression it can be hard to relate...I don't always know what to say to him. I'm not sure he'd want me trying to track him down, and even if I could he lives so far away that I probably wouldn't be able to do anything, but it's something to bear in mind - maybe there's someone closer by who can help.

I'm sorry he's hurting so much as well.

[Rio_]

Thanks for replying, ladymacabethadmunsen. Sorry, I wasn't clear - he hasn't disappeared, luckily, I was talking to him this morning. He told me that my encouragement was helping, but he's said more than once before that he doesn't want to live beyond 30, so I doubt it'll be enough.

[Rio_]

((((Fuzzybear)))) Thanks.

[drummergrl]

Hi Rio!
I do not know that there's alot you can do for him, but just being there to support him. It sounds to me like it's out of your field. He needs professional help right away. Have you encouraged him to seek medical attention? He needs to very quickly. There are places you can go that offer free services if you don't have insurance. I used them back in the 70's when my husbands ins. didn't cover Psychiatric treatments. It sounds to me like your friend is in a chrises
that he shouldn't handle by himself. Try encouraging him to get immediate attention. It's imparitive that he get help
now!!!
Good luck.

[Rio_]

Thanks, drummergirl. I'm certainly trying - luckily, he's been talking to me quite a lot, and I'm trying to keep it up. I know he was in therapy as a child, but I can't remember why he stopped...I could suggest it again, but I don't think he'll be too keen. I've no idea what the insurance situation is like in Australia, I've never been there before.