Helping someone with suicidal thoughts

[OldPal]

Looking for a bit of help, a friend posted this morning for everyone to see on Facebook.



It’s pretty upsetting to be honest, he’s been my friend since primary school. Our friendship group have been trying to keep in contact with him as he has no one. However he tried to fight one friend who visited him 2 weeks ago, essentially pushing us all away and accusing us of not being there for him, his social media is full of him living on his uncles couch with a beer in front of the tv usually accompanied with a depressed message beside it.

How else can we help him, I’ve checked Samaritans website to see if I could get them to actually call him but it seems you need to phone them if your in crisis. Is there any other charity or organisation that would maybe contact him?

Ive contacted him this morning to give him support but he’s ignored me so far.

Any help is appreciated

[Gecko1978]

Ok I have been in that position (I don't post on face book mind you).

Get them to a GP who can refer them to a crisis/ mental health team. They can also perscribe then medication to take the edge off like antihistamines (large dose not addictive).

So to be clear get them to a GP if their own won't help book private appointment (circa £100).

[Muzzer79]

Whilst it's important to take this seriously, you do need to establish what state of mind he is in - Facebook posts like this can be taken out of context.

I suggest going round to his house. If he's ignoring phone contact, it's your only route to him because if he's ignoring you and your other friends, he'll certainly ignore a charity or similar.

[OldPal]

Gecko1978 said:

Ok I have been in that position (I don't post on face book mind you).

Get them to a GP who can refer them to a crisis/ mental health team. They can also perscribe then medication to take the edge off like antihistamines (large dose not addictive).

So to be clear get them to a GP if their own won't help book private appointment (circa £100).

Thanks I’ll try and get him to go if he doesn’t I’ll book a private one.

Muzzer79 said:

Whilst it's important to take this seriously, you do need to establish what state of mind he is in - Facebook posts like this can be taken out of context.

I suggest going round to his house. If he's ignoring phone contact, it's your only route to him because if he's ignoring you and your other friends, he'll certainly ignore a charity or similar.

Thanks
It’s 100% what it seems it is. He has been depressed for most of his life although his post this morning seems to be a step up in seriousness hence us stepping in.He has family but it’s a long and complex story and they don’t want to be involved with him at all.