Not sure what this means

[StickAround]

Hi

Have a friend who was talking about ending themselves and found this site to share and work out my own issues as well. Thanks for all the hellos!

Now I have a bit of a problem. I'm not very close to this person but have told them that I get upset for days about their struggle with wanting to take their life (of course, who wouldn't?). But they did not seem to care that it is upsetting to people around them and now have taken to joking about it. They did stay away from poker and I did try to show them how poker might be a problem for them so that's good. I also directed them to 988 a crisis prevention chat number.

They said they were going to take a trip to the Grand Canyon and joked with Siri about falling off.

Is it wrong of me to be angry at them for joking and angry that they want to hurt themselves?

Its almost like they are telling me this for attention now and it seems cruel but I know they are in pain and don't want to judge too harshly. I don't know how to handle this

[cashew78]

Hello. Not a doctor or professional; yes it may be for cheap attention seeking, OR it could be engaging in what I think you call 'parasuicidal' behavior. They're potentially trying to inform you that they are making plans to end it, or are trying to get comfortable themselves with plans to end it all. You're frustrations are grounded because you obviously care about this person one way or the other. Telling them directly that this makes you uncomfortable and sick was, in my mind, the right thing to do. Beyond that, I don't know what to say. You can give them contacts and resources for help, but there's nothing you can do if they decide to not follow up on it. :/

[Ryanlion]

Hi StickAroundI have read that people who talk alot about suicide rarely do it, it is the quiet ones who say nothing that do. You have every right to feel angry or upset. I suspect this person is incapable of thinking about how it effects you because they are in pain. My suggestion is take care of yourself and your mental health. You are not responsible for saving this person. You have your path & they have theirs. You have directed them where they can get help, its all you can do. If they continue to talk and joke about suicide, change the subject or encourage them to put there energy into finding reasons to live instead of ending it.

[Midori]

In my experience, those people who talk and joke about things rarely follow through. It's not a given though, so try to encourage this person to get some professional help. You don't deserve the worry, and it's unkind of your friend to keep unloading on you.

Cheers, Midori

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protect yourself