howdoihelpCasual Contributor
When to get help
I have a friend who is going through the most terrible time in his life. He has deep depression, anxiety and says he thinks he's suffering PTSD. He often, over the last couple of weeks, says to me that he wants to die/harm himself. He refuses medication and won't even see a psychologist. He's quite against medication. Says his depression is "situational" and if his situation would improve then so would his mental health. But it's pretty hard for him to change his situation with the level of depression he is suffering. I am terrified that he is going to commit suicide. I am his only true support and friend with his small family all overseas and alot of friends have just disappeared. My question is: He often talks about killing himself but from what others that I've sought advice from say (friends and some health care professionals), is that if he's talking about it he probably won't do it. That it's the quiet ones, who say nothing and retreat, that commit suicide. But is that the case 100% of the time?? I'm guessing not but I need to know that if someone is talking about it - quite alot - are they really intending on going through with it? I am very hesitant to call for help, via a Mental Health Triage CAT team because they would probably put him into a psychiatirc ward - involuntarily. I've asked him if I can please call them and he said that would be hell for him and then he would defintiely try to commit suicide. He said he'd never ever talk to me again. I am prepared for him to hate me, if it means he lives but as I'm the ONLY person who is supporting and helping him, I don't want him to turn his back on me through anger, because he needs me. ANd I need him to be alive. Please help me. I am quite alone dealing with this too. His only carer, he doesn't live with me and I have my own life - working, kids etc. I'm trying to keep my own life together too but am bogged down with sadness for my friend.
