A friend in need, should have listened.

[bighit8]

Well kinda a bummer after today. I just got word a friend of mine is in the Hospital after trying to commit suicide. He had mentioned it before but was drunk,guess I should have taken it more serious.He is a heavy pill popper with low self esteem, anybody ever deal with a situation like this?

[CPATCRASH]

I have a nephew that held a shotgun under his chin and blew half his face off. He was in the hospital for months and when he came out had a feeding tube in his stomach. It has been a few years and he is now drug free and doing great.

He couldn't find a job because of the way he looked though but went to school to become a drug counselor so he could help others. Sometimes if the attempt is failed it becomes a wake up call. Good luck with your friend!

[Waldo]

Sorry to hear about that. Yes, any mention of suicide, drunk or not, should at least be a red flag of sorts. But when it comes down to it there was likely little that you could have said or done to alter his course.

I went through something very similar with a friend just after high school. Hopefully he's getting some good help, did no physical damage, and has a understanding and supportive family. Best suggestion I have is to talk as openly and directly as he's willing to about the situation. Emotions after something like that can range from embarrassment from making such a public mistake to feelings of failure and frustration at not doing it right. A friend who will tell it like it is while accepting him for who he is and the mistakes he's made is a good friend indeed.

Best wishes to you and your friend.

[OldDogDan]

Man, Waldo gives good advice. Yes, I've been in that situation with a friend. The worst thing to do is to not talk about it. You have to acknowledge it happened. He'll decide how much to talk about it. Hopefully he'll get some counseling, and maybe there's an underlying treatable mental illness. You can only be his friend -- you won't be there all the time to talk him out of it. He may try again and succeed -- don't blame yourself if that happens.