SacrificialClam
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I have only met this person recently, and only online, so I don't know him all that well. But he was very open about his depression and I made sure to probe a bit to make sure he was okay. He confessed to me last night they he sometimes thinks about wanted to die, and so I talked to him about his feelings, asked him why he felt that way, etc and he told me about a lot of trauma that has happened to him in the past with his family. He told me that he is not CURRENTLY suicidal and when he told me he had thoughts, he said he has never done it because he wouldn't want to put his family through that. So I at least know that he is not at immediate risk, from what I can tell.
I told him that he needs to speak with a professional and that I will help him find the right resources. I sent him a list of call/text hotlines and told him even if he is feeling fine today, that I want him to follow through with one of those leads because they will hopefully be able to point him in the right direction.
I don't know other ways to help, especially since he is a teen and can't just go to a therapist (at least I would imagine you couldn't). He lives in Indiana, and it sounds like his family would not take a good interest in his mental health, based on what he has told me.
How else can I help him? What are the best resources to provide to a teen that will actually help them, in particular for the state of Indiana? What else can I do, or should I do?
WaitAndBreathe
Keep doing what you’re doing and try to get him to seek professional help. Therapy and perhaps some group work could be beneficial.
BadPunsAplenty
You're being a friend, a good first step. Keep talking, tell him he matters, he matters to you. Have him dial 988. They can direct him.
ThisIsSteel
Having someone they can rely on and talk to helps. You're doing great. <3
ummjakefromstatefarm
I’m going to go ahead and predelete my comment
GOALIE49
He needs a creative outlet, a physical outlet, a therapist, your kind words, and some adhd medication prolly. Adolescence is brutal.
SacrificialClam
Yea, that is why I care eventho I dont really know him. It hits hard hearing a teenager dealing with this because its a shitty time in life
GTimgur
You're doing awesome. Your friend will need to make a sincere and concerted effort to help themselves as well. If they don't, you'll get sucked into a whirlpool of despair and will need to dip. You BOTH need to be good friends to them.
HeHeHebieJeebies
https:/indiana">https://afsp.org/chapter/indiana https://www.in.gov/is">//afsp.o">/indiana">https://afsp.org/chapter/indiana https://www.in.gov/issp/ https://www.parkview.com/services-specialties/behavioral-health/suicide-prevention
SacrificialClam
Thanks, i sent him the in.gov one. Seems like these hotlines are the best option to provide.
jgrowley31337
Sometimes just listening helps
Stitchabarger
Truer words...
sillyDad
Best lesson learned from personal experience. Don’t offer solutions unless asked for, just keep on listening.
JustDriftingAboutTheInterWebs
i came here to day this. 100%, listen. be there.