My question is:
I have a friend who has been so depressed lately, he told me, shaking and crying, that he is going to kill himself - shoot himself in the head. I know all the reasons he is down, and all I can do is be there for him. I don't know who else to tell without betraying his confidence. I also want to know how serious one should take a comment like this. Would he really do it, or does he just feel like it? Do I take a comment like this very seriously, or do I just try and be his shoulder to cry on? Very very confused and distressed.

You should always take it seriously. If something were to happen - could you live with yourself if you didn't act? I don't think I could.
Here is a link to a website you should visit and get the tools you need to help your friend.

::1.800.SUICIDE - National Suicide Prevention Hotline::

Or you can call 1-800-suicide

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Originally Posted by skiutah

My question is:
I have a friend who has been so depressed lately, he told me, shaking and crying, that he is going to kill himself - shoot himself in the head. I know all the reasons why he is down, and all I can do is be there for him. I don't know who else to tell without betraying his confidence. I also want to know how serious one should take a comment like this. Would he really do it, or does he just feel like it? Do I take a comment like this very seriously, or do I just try and be his shoulder to cry on? Very very confused and distressed.

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I'm sorry you've been confronted with such a stressful and scary situation! I would not take his comment lightly at all, however. If he's been feeling this way for a long time, his anger and frustration has probably been building up. It's a good idea to be a shoulder for him to cry on, though. I had a friend once who started cutting herself, and it scared me to DEATH! I was the first one she told and she told me not to tell anybody. But think about it... would you rather keep everything a secret and hope nature takes a good course, or would you tell someone and give the friend you love some help? I told a conselour at school, and asked her to keep me completely confidential. Three years later, my friend still doesn't know that it was me who told, but she still got the help. It took a load off my shoulders and I don't regret the decision at all to this day! Continue comforting him, but I would suggest looking up a place on the internet for a suicide help center or something of the such. Good luck and I hope your friend feels better soon!

Take it very seriously .15 years ago I had a friend (adult) that always talked off and on for years about killing himself. He called me the 2 nights before and talked to me and my son. I guess that was his goodbye. He went out bought a new truck. Next dayhe called a mutual friend of ours and another friend of his, had them meeting up at his house at the same time. Called 911 and seconds later pulled the trigger. He set it up so that everyone would meet up at the same time. He had letters for the 2 friends that he wanted them to get. You never know when they will snap. I had a cousin that tied a rope to his neck and jumped from a bridge 2 years ago. He often talked about killing himself. Most of the family did not believe he would do it. But in the end he did. He was a drug addict and said he couldn't take it any longer, regardless of all the help and love that my aunt gave him. Sometimes with these situations nothing is ever enough and there are no right answers. Just do for them, what you can out of love and concern that is all you can do.