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What do you say to someone contemplating suicide?

Are they a believer? I would pray for them and suggest they pray. The life of a believer is not his to take. Jesus paid for it. 1COR 6:19-20
 
1) "Stop. Please don't do it.
2) Their pain is proof that the opposite is true: Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus lives and reigns from Heaven.
3) The Apostle Judas betrayed Christ; and instead of seeking repentance, he denied the power of Christ's forgiveness and took his own life into Hell. This is not what The LORD wants at all.

Now look at the other Apostles, namely Paul who denied Christ three times to his face. He endured the errors of his ways and lived to see Jesus' Holy face once more, accepting His just and merciful power to be forgiven of his wrongdoings, to be healed of pains no medical staff on Earth can help, to have the demons rebuked from his life time and time again. Let Christ heal you.
 
MATTHEW 12:28-30</strong>

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

LABOUR

G2872

Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Dictionaries of the Greek and Hebrew Testaments

G2872 κοπιάω kopiao (ko-piy-aō') v.
1. to feel fatigue.
2. (by implication) to work hard.
[from a derivative of G2873]
KJV: (bestow) labour, toil, be wearied
Root(s): G2873

[?]

HEAVY LADEN

G5412

Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Dictionaries of the Greek and Hebrew Testaments
G5412 φορτίζω phortizo (for-tiy'-zō) v.
1. (properly) to load up (a vessel or animal).
2. (figuratively) to overburden with ceremony (or spiritual anxiety).
[from G5414]
KJV: lade, by heavy laden

Root(s): G5414

[?]

REST

G373
Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Dictionaries of the Greek and Hebrew Testaments
G373 ἀναπαύω anapauo (a-na-pav'-ō) v.
1. (reflexively) to repose, to rest.
2. (literally or figuratively) to be exempt, to remain.
3. (by implication) to refresh.
[from G303 and G3973]
KJV: take ease, refresh, (give, take) rest

Root(s): G303, G3973

[?]

All those who are heavily laden with sin and its consequences will undoubtedly look for some relief. When they cannot find it they look at more drastic ways to overcome it. Attempting to overcome by people pleasing or attempting to please God through our own good works is a work in futility. People will always let us down and God does not expect anyone to ever keep the ten commandments through their own power. These ten commandments are there like a mirror to show us our sin and our need for a saviour. He, through Jesus Christ, gives us rest if we are willing to put our trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The way that God deals with this is GRACE: The acronym:

(G)ods
(R)iches
(A)t
(C)hrists
(E)xpense

Unfortunately, pride gets in the way. Jesus when He died on that cross said it was finished. There are only two opposing ways in this world. Truth vs lies, good vs evil, death vs life. God is light and Satan darkness. Satan will always attempt to keep people away from the truth (Light). Satan is the prince of darkness but God is light (1 John 1:5).

Jesus said that He came that we may have life and life more abundantly. Jn 10:10 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

When a person comes to salvation through Jesus Christ he/she becomes a new creation, the old is gone and the new has come (2 Cor 5:17-18). When two Jews made a covenant they would exchange garments, their weapons bearing belts. They would kill an animal, cut it in half then put the two halves on the ground. They would stand back to back and then in a figure of 8 they would walk through the two halves and then say, “God do this to us if we break the covenant” (or words to that effect). Eight in the bible points to new beginnings, a whole new life. Jesus Christ died on that cross to take on Himself the wrath of God that should have been poured out on us for our sinfulness. The righteous for the unrighteous. 2 Cor 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. So, in the illustration I gave, Jesus takes on Himself our sinful garment and gives us His garments of righteousness. He gives us His weapons for protection (Eph 6) and in Him we have a brand new beginning.

In John 14 and 16 Jesus promised that all those who are in Him will receive another comforter, the Holy Spirit who will lead us into all truth. He does this by writing on our minds and our hearts the Word of God. This is called sanctification (2 Cor 3). At rebirth we are consecrated (set apart unto God) and are sealed in the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption thereafter at the emd we will be glorified.

JOHN 3:3-7

3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again2 he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?”

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.3

7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You4 must be born again.’

When we are born into this sinful world we have the sinful nature of Adam (Rom 5). Through one man sin came into the world and the result was death not only physical death but also spiritual death (eternal separation from God). Through the one man Jesus Christ comes life where we have the hope of the resurrection, rapture and eternal life. HE GIVES US VICTORY OVER DEATH. When we repent of our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and by His blood cleans us from all sin 1 John.

What the suicidal man needs is to repent and place his/her trust in Jesus Christ and seeks Gods forgiveness. He is rich in mercy and wants all to come to the knowledge of the truth.



I hope this has helped.
 
No. You don't suggest "prayer and God".
It's not an effective tactic.

In fact, if one has NO training you're best to call 9-1-1.
You can be called to court and go to jail if you're NOT trained and it's found you made things worse and were not trained.

1. Immediate safety comes first​

If someone is believed to be at imminent risk of suicide:
  • They cannot be ignored or sent away
  • Medical providers have a duty to protect life
  • Emergency evaluation is required (ER, crisis center, or psychiatric unit)
This applies whether the person:
  • Expresses suicidal intent
  • Has a plan
  • Has means available
  • Or shows behavior strongly suggesting risk

2. Mandatory suicide risk assessment​

Healthcare providers must perform a formal suicide risk assessment, usually including:
  • Current suicidal thoughts
  • Past attempts
  • Specific plans or intent
  • Access to lethal means
  • Mental health history
  • Substance use
  • Protective factors (family, beliefs, responsibilities)
Common tools:
  • Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
  • SAFE-T protocol
Documentation is legally required.

3. Levels of care (based on risk)​

Low risk​

  • Passive thoughts, no plan, no intent
    Standard response:
  • Safety planning
  • Outpatient mental health referral
  • Follow-up within days

Moderate risk​

  • Suicidal thoughts + risk factors, unclear intent
    Standard response:
  • Same-day mental health evaluation
  • Possible short observation
  • Safety plan + close follow-up
  • Family/support involvement (with consent or if safety requires)

High risk / imminent danger​

  • Active intent, plan, or inability to stay safe
    Standard response:
  • Hospitalization, voluntary or involuntary
  • Continuous observation (1:1 or q15 checks)
  • Removal of dangerous items
  • Psychiatric evaluation within hours

4. Involuntary hospitalization (civil commitment)​

If someone refuses care but is deemed dangerous to themselves:
  • Providers can place a temporary involuntary hold
  • Names vary by state (e.g., 5150, Baker Act, Section 12)
  • Usually lasts 48–72 hours for evaluation
  • Legal review is required for longer holds
This is not optional for providers once criteria are met.

5. Patient rights still apply​

Even during involuntary care, the person has rights:
  • Humane treatment
  • Least restrictive environment possible
  • Right to be informed of status
  • Right to legal representation if held longer
  • Right to refuse some treatments (varies)

6. Discharge standards​

A suicidal patient should not be discharged unless:
  • Risk is reassessed and documented as manageable
  • A safety plan is completed
  • Follow-up care is arranged
  • The patient demonstrates ability to seek help if thoughts return
Failure here can be medical malpractice.

7. Confidentiality limits​

Providers must break confidentiality if:
  • There is imminent risk to the patient
  • A minor is involved
  • Abuse or neglect is suspected
Safety overrides privacy.

8. Non-discrimination requirement​

U.S. healthcare standards forbid denying care because of:
  • Mental illness
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Prior attempts
  • Substance use
Refusal to treat a suicidal person can violate:
  • EMTALA (emergency care law)
  • State medical board rules
  • Federal disability protections

Important note​

Being suicidal is treated as a medical emergency, not a moral failing, not a crime, and not “attention-seeking.”

Some years back (before rebranded Flu) I and a few others and I helped a guy in another state.
He happened to be a Veteran (so am I), so that helped de-escalate things easier.

If it's a Christian they must know:
God does NOT support suicide.
There is NO post-death repentance.
No one living can "pray" them out of their destination and it isn't Heaven.

 
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