My friend

[Max]

Ok, i've got this friend, and I'll call him Josh. His dad doesn't live with him, which is part of the problem. Josh says he has lost his faith, and he wants to die. I've gotten real close to him over this summer, and he's my good friend now. I don't know a whole lot, but we talk everyday, and today he told me he wants to commit suicide. I've told his sister (We are also very close friends), and his mom knows, but he's been like this a while. Last school year, he even told some of his friends he wanted to staple gun his wrists. Anyway, he's going on a church trip with my youth group (along with some other friends of mine who I want to get them to know Christ) to florida at the end of this month. I'm hoping he will see Jesus on this trip, and change.

I guess I'm just asking everybody to pray for him, and all of my friends. We've all been going through a tough time lately (I've had to call a suicide hotline for one) and the others are just very far from God right now. Some advice on what to do would also be good to here.

Thanks, your brother in Christ, Max.

 

[Nostalgic Dawn]

I'm glad you are there for your friend. If he doesn't have a older male figure in his life like you suggested, he is probably suffering a huge withdrawl and is having a difficult time relating to the world. You being there for him unconditionally is exactly what he needs the most. You are being a great friend, keeping his family notified about everything going through his mind.

Just know that the majority of people who "cry for help" in terms of suicide will never end up going through with it. Just keep your eye on him, and always offer a shoulder for him to lean on. You sound like a loyal friend, something I wish I had more of.

 

[Blazin Bones]

^ I agree with Dawn, and will keep you and your friend in my prayers.

 

[Max]

Eh, to bring this back up, he keeps talking about killing himself...

What do I say?

 

[y not peace?]

tell him that life has a purpose for him, whether it be now or later, and that he needs to fullfill his purpose and let the Lord decide when he should leave earth.

 

[Max]

tell him that life has a purpose for him, whether it be now or later, and that he needs to fullfill his purpose and let the Lord decide when he should leave earth.

I tell him, and then he tells me he doesn't believe in God. It's not a good situation...

 

[notapseudonym]

Ask him if he would mind reading a book with you and discussing it.
If he should agree give him Augustine's Confessions.
Awesome book that shows how God can speak to the hardest heart and conform it.

 

[Relic]

Anyway, he's going on a church trip with my youth group (along with some other friends of mine who I want to get them to know Christ) to florida at the end of this month. I'm hoping he will see Jesus on this trip, and change.

Please! It is amazing that his parents aren't seeking to resolve this matter immediately. This kind of depression is not to be left dangling. There are programs/counseling out there for troubled teens, And they DO WORK. It just takes some time to get through the counseling. The thing is to get him into a counseling program. Why aren't his parents finding help for him? I was depressed when I was a teen and it carried over into my adult life! Proper counseling early on will help your friend so that he doesn't have to carry this problem into his adult life! He needs help now! Not by people who are not trained in intervention for troubled teens.

Tell the senior pastor of your church. And tell your youth group leader about your situation. Ask them both for help and guidance in what to do. Sounds to me as if this friend of yours needs an adult in his life who knows how to handle troubled teens. Your pastor and/or youth group leader should be able to respond to this situation. Don't rely on a group of people who are not trained in troubled teen intervention. don't rely on those who are not professionally trained and only visit web forums to chat, to provide the final answer this most important situation.

Professionals must be brought into your friends life. He needs professional help and advice from other teens isn't going to settle this matter. Speak to the senior pastor of your church. An adult who has professional training in troubled teen intervention is what your friend needs the most. Your senior pastor should know how to get the proper help.

Please do not delay this any further. Go to an adult who truly knows about how to handle troubled teens.

.