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I have worked periodically on a crisis line for the past 9
years and during this time, in which I have interfaced with others I have had
one experience when I had to work diligently to create a verbal suicide
contract with a person who felt there was no reason to continue living. It is
scary to be in the sidelines of another person suffering hopelessness but thank
goodness this individual was able to reach out for help.
Basically I worked to calm the individual down, inquire
about things in his life that might inspire the caller to pick life over death
like the need to take care of his pet otherwise, who else will do it? He might
not of cared enough about his life in that moment but the fact that something else depends on
him, is something to get him thinking about life over death.
I convinced the caller to take things one minute at a time
and to reach out again should thoughts of hurting himself surface. We talked
about ways this person could channel his anxiety and self-expression and we
discussed local supports like his parents, his church, and the suicide hotline.
Of course I gave him local resources and tried to convince him of the need to
go into counseling and/or to the doctor for help.
Although I felt scared for the person, I was relieved he
asked for help. I was not able to get contact information in order to send the
police to him for a welfare check because the he refused to provide this
information but I do feel like we made headway regardless.
The message I am trying to convey is to get involved with
the people who are in your circle or who touch it in any way; you might just
save a life by doing so!
If you’re feeling suicidal please call the suicide hotline
for help. Your life is worth this call!
