Alvana said 10 years, 7 months ago:

I know that the site has a policy that if you enter the chat, you certify that you are not suicidal. What should you do if you’re put in a situation with someone who’s having suicidal thoughts, who entered chat without reading that? I’m really scared of being in such a position, since I lack the proper training. Maybe someone with more experience can explain what the procedure should be?

Smoot said 10 years, 7 months ago:

It’s happened to me a few times. Here’s what I tried…
-Asking ‘have you chosen a method?’. It seems blunt, but if someone’s serious enough to have one chosen out, or God-forbid prepared, I know what we’re dealing with.

-If they’re serious, I admit I’m here to help, but I’m feeling a bit out of my depth. This is in no way a dismissal, but being honest.

-As suggested, I use the gaps (people generally type slowly when framing difficult subjects) to figure out appropriate help to recommend. I was talking to a girl from NZ, for example- there are services like the Samaritans there, so I had a sec to find a local number for her to call.

-Naturally, I usually point out that this site has pros. (of which I’m not one.)

-In all this, I want to keep the person talking, so we talk. Many people simply don’t want to feel like they’re the only one to have been in their situation. Luckily, few are.

That’s what I’ve got. I hope it helps.

Hearmenow said 9 years, 8 months ago:

If it comes along, do your best to talk to them like any other venters. Ask them questions, let them speak. And more importantly recommend them to speak to a professional or suggest them call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255 ( US )

What many most need is someone to listen to them, and that’s great. But it’s also important to know when you’ve come across something you’re not too experienced with or feel overwhelmed. No one is expecting you to have all answers and know everything. Just keep doing the best you can, do some research, and as you get along you’ll learn the tricks of when to push and when to back off, and when you’ve reached your limit.

lxj1976 said 9 years, 8 months ago:

Keep the attention of the venter on you and you control often if he or she is there. When the person is a little calm, have fun with the person. Try to do some jokes, talk about the last stupid thing that you have seen or whatever. And when the person is more calm, enter in the deep of the topic.

Serendipity said 9 years, 8 months ago:

You should take advice from someone who ever had thoughts of suicide or attempted it. I can’t begin to even try to understand them. I mean you really can’t. But ask someone who’s been through it. It would help the person more.