Help
 

Long story short. I recently reconnected with a childhood friend. Sometime during her senior year in high school, she became severely depressed and upon graduation with a body mass of probably under 100- pounds, her parents sent her across the country for help.

Fast-forward 40+ years. We reconnected through Facebook and then email. She is still severely depressed.

And then this happened…

She suddenly admitted she is an alcoholic and she feels she has no reason to live. And when she commits suicide, it will be on her own terms.

She agreed to call me today. And if/when she does, I will have her iPhone telephone number. Other than that, I don't know how to move forward to help her.

I can use all the feedback I can get.

I think the drinking is a way of self medicating for many with depression.. so working on that might need to be #1 if she is open to that or wants to get help..
We have a depression forum and an addiction forum that might have other info on ways to help someone..
https://www.neurotalk.org/forum31/

https://www.neurotalk.org/forum37/

Check the sticky threads too for #'s and info.

Thanks. She did call me yesterday. You reinforced my approach. I spoke to her about her drinking. She agreed to go to a local AAA meeting today. And she is going to call me.

Thank you for the links.

Aarcyn......Jo.Mar is correct many people with a depressive illness have a unhealthy relationship with a
Alcohol or drugs.
Unfortunately when life it's self feels not worth living or bothering about,
Any substitute stimuli will take its place

In the U.K. We currently have an awareness campaign and training called. Mental Health First Aid.

Once you do this training you are COMMITTED to do something.


If someone tells you they are planning suicide... Your duty is to to take them somewhere to help. Hospital DOctor FAmily... what ever that help is.

Never believe or think it's a cry for help, a bleating pretense

It's not your place to judge

Get them in cab to medical support

then you can walk away ( and not Before)

Feel blessed very blessed this person divulged her deepest thoughts to YOU

Take care of you David