I wish someone would found an organization to do the following:
Say a family, or a friend, of someone suicidal wonders how to deal with their loved one's problem. They think of all the things they could do, but in the end, the person kills themself.
Now, rewind time. To before the death. The friend or family gets a video or packet in the mail, describing how to emotionally support the loved one, etc. Things like,
If a friend won't return calls or has their phone turned off, rely on cards. I wish I had sent a Christmas card. Or present. If it's June, just send a friendship card.
If you think a friend may drift away when they get depressed, make sure you know certain things which will make it possible to stay in touch. Like
social network sites such as My Space and Tribe.net. Ask your friend their name on the site. Heck, create an account for them and tell them about it. Let 'em change their password of course. And, do you know your friend's surname (lastname)? If they move back with parents, this could help you track them down.
Signs. I knew my friend was mentally ill and had once been suicidal. Yet, I lost sight of that. I saw their withdrawal as personal rejection, not knowing they were withdrawing from ALL their friends. This should have screamed, "watch out!" to me. It may not just be you they distance themself from!!
Know MUTUAL FRIENDS. If it's just you who knows them, what if they break off contact? You are in the dark and alone, not knowing anything. Or, what if you have them over and they act disturbed? Who do you call? Knowing mutual friends makes watching out for your buddy easier. You have a team, instead of just you. You can contact other mutual friends, who can help support them emotionally.
Do you know their parent's phone number? Address? Assuming their parents are not abusive and the problem itself, you might need to get in touch with them if your buddy goes off the deep end.
What do you all think? I wish I'd have thought of some of this stuff, weeks ago.
Lonz
Say a family, or a friend, of someone suicidal wonders how to deal with their loved one's problem. They think of all the things they could do, but in the end, the person kills themself.
Now, rewind time. To before the death. The friend or family gets a video or packet in the mail, describing how to emotionally support the loved one, etc. Things like,
If a friend won't return calls or has their phone turned off, rely on cards. I wish I had sent a Christmas card. Or present. If it's June, just send a friendship card.
If you think a friend may drift away when they get depressed, make sure you know certain things which will make it possible to stay in touch. Like
social network sites such as My Space and Tribe.net. Ask your friend their name on the site. Heck, create an account for them and tell them about it. Let 'em change their password of course. And, do you know your friend's surname (lastname)? If they move back with parents, this could help you track them down.
Signs. I knew my friend was mentally ill and had once been suicidal. Yet, I lost sight of that. I saw their withdrawal as personal rejection, not knowing they were withdrawing from ALL their friends. This should have screamed, "watch out!" to me. It may not just be you they distance themself from!!
Know MUTUAL FRIENDS. If it's just you who knows them, what if they break off contact? You are in the dark and alone, not knowing anything. Or, what if you have them over and they act disturbed? Who do you call? Knowing mutual friends makes watching out for your buddy easier. You have a team, instead of just you. You can contact other mutual friends, who can help support them emotionally.
Do you know their parent's phone number? Address? Assuming their parents are not abusive and the problem itself, you might need to get in touch with them if your buddy goes off the deep end.
What do you all think? I wish I'd have thought of some of this stuff, weeks ago.
Lonz