Pat's Answer

Hi, welcome to Ask Pat.  

Thank you for trusting us with what is going on in your life. You are asking us how you can properly support your friend who is suicidal.   

It sounds like you are a very caring person and a good friend. You are worried about your friend’s mental health as they have shared with you their suicidal thoughts. It is understandable that you are feeling worried, and it is important for you as well as your friend’s well-being and mental health that you both get the help and support you need. 

We are concerned for you and your friend who is feeling suicidal. Both you and your friend have a right to live your lives and be happy. You have a right to talk about your thoughts and feelings and to be listened to. Have you spoken to anyone in your family about your friend’s suicidal ideation? You and your friend have a right to seek help and support. If you are finding it hard to talk to your family about your thoughts and feelings, do you have another adult in your life who you trust or feel comfortable talking to about your friend and their suicidal thoughts?    

There is help and support available to you and your friend. This website may guide you or help you understand what is going on for you both  www.yourmentalhealth.ie. Pieta House have some guidelines for people who know someone that is suicidal www.pieta.ie/how-we-can-help/help-someone-who-is-suicidal/. The ISPCC Childline website also has some information and articles which you may like to look at also: www.childline/suicide/;  www.childline.ie/friends/ .  

You and your friend are not alone. The Childline Team are here for you both. We would love to chat to you more about what is going on for you. You can reach out to talk or chat to us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and these services are free and confidential. You can talk to us by phone on 1800 66 66 66 or chat to us one-to-one on our webchat at www.childline.ie  or by text on 50101. We will not judge anything you say to us and we will not tell you what to do. We will talk about what options may be available to you both. You and your friend deserve to get the help and support you need.  

We hope to talk or chat to you soon. Take care of yourself,

Pat