please help - friend texting suicidal messages

[sillyberry]

A good friend of mine started sending me suicidal texts. I've tried calling her and she hasn't picked up (it seems like she's hitting ignore and sending me straight to voicemail). My mom has called and emailed as well (they're close.) I found her parent's phone number and called them. Her dad had talked to her earlier tonight, and she seemed fine, but he was going to call again, not mentioning that we called him. I don't know her address.

I feel so sick. Is there anything I should be doing that I'm not?

Please send dust or pray or keep your fingers crossed or whatever magic it is that you all do.

 

[junebug17]

Oh no, this is so scary. I can't think of anything else, except her parents going to her house to check on her. Maybe you should call and suggest it. Someone has to find out if she's ok.

 

[sillyberry]

I just got off the phone with her dad. He called her, she was crying and wouldn't tell him what was wrong, then hung up. She turned off her phone.

He does not have her address (yeah, I don't get it) and she lives several states away. He seems really lost and confused.

I'm on the phone with the police, seeing if we can track down her address somehow.

 

[megumic]

I would try to find out where she is if you can. Perhaps ask if her parents are going to go check on her and if they're not, you'd like to bring her a milkshake or something. I wouldn't stop trying to reach out to her. The text message she sent you is the warning sign that she's in danger and that she's asking for help.

 

[sillyberry]

The police are not having any luck tracking down an address.

I'm tearing my hair out. I can't stop shaking.

 

[megumic]

The police are not having any luck tracking down an address.

I'm tearing my hair out. I can't stop shaking.

I hope she is okay. By taking her threats seriously and calling her family and police, you've done everything you possibly can for now. You're a good friend.

 

[slg47]

sillyberry can you call her parents and get the address? do you know any of her other friends who live close by? Maybe her parents would know, they could contact a friend that lives close to her or if necessary the police. definitely get someone to check on her.

 

[swingirl]

The cell phone company must have an address to send her bill to. I am so sorry.

 

[kagordo4]

Did you call your city's police or her's? If you're not on the phone with her police, hang up right now and call them directly.

I'm an EMT, er well now I'm full time in med-school, anyway, when things like this happened we'd have police dispatch call the number then trace it. If she answers they can talk to her and at the very least get a trace. They just need a few seconds with today's technology.

Good luck! My thoughts are with you, I know how terrible this waiting and not knowing what you will find feeling can be.

 

[junebug17]

OMG, this is terrible. I can't think of anything else, except to keep calling her. Maybe you can try to find her address online? (white pages). But the police have probably already tried this.

 

[kenny]

I'd call one of the suicide hotlines and explain all this.
They may know other ways to help.

Thank you for caring.
You are a good friend.

This link also has links to help in each state if you are in the US.
http://suicidehotlines.com/

 

[junebug17]

The cell phone company must have an address to send her bill to. I am so sorry.

This is a good idea.

 

[sillyberry]

I called the city police where she lives. It is a small town and she works at the only middle school in town, so they're trying to see if they can find her. I've given them her name, phone number, and date of birth.

I don't know any of her friends where she lives. Her dad didn't know the name of her roommate or her address...or much of anything, really. He was going to call the police after I got off the phone with him again.

Another worried guy called her dad after hearing from her, so she's reached out to more than one person.

Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[Kaleigh]

I hope they can find her through the cell phone pings. Keep trying to call her. I know how terrifying it is. I was in your shoes a few years ago. It changed my life.. I am still going through it.

I am staying up for a bit, will be here if you need any help.....

Or just a hug. God I know what it's like. My life changed with one phone call....

 

[decodelighted]

Hugs to you. I think you're doing the right thing by trying to help the police find her. She needs help right now.

 

[somethingshiny]

How scary! You're doing everything possible right now. Hopefully, since she's reaching out to at least a couple people, she really WANTS help. Lots of prayers for everyone involved.

 

[sillyberry]

I just called the police back and they still don't have an address on her. In good(ish) news, the police called her house and she answered, but hung up once they said who was calling. I asked if they could get a trace and they said they were trying but that was over at the Sheriff's Department now. They don't seem to be all that technologically savvy. I've called the Sheriff's Department, but they just had a shift change and the woman didn't know anything, but she said she would read the logbook and call me back.

 

[Circe]

SB, I'm so sorry your friend is going through this, and that you're worrying about her. I think you've done the right thing in trying to get ahold of her. I don't think there's much more that you can do: hopefully, between your caring messages and her folks, she'll be okay (with or without the help of the cops). Once things cool down? You'll talk to her and maybe gently nudge her towards seeking professional health. In the meantime, get some rest if you can, so that when she reaches out, you're in the best possible shape to give her what she needs. I'll be thinking about (both of) you.

 

[sillyberry]

Okay, they've found her apartment building and her car. The dispatcher I spoke with said she'll call me once they actually make contact with her.

Fingers crossed that she's safe. Thank you again everyone.

 

[slg47]

ok, glad to hear that they got through, and that they will call you back. you are a great friend.

question though...did you have her address in your wedding planning stuff? surprised that her parents didn't have it...

 

[House Cat]

Hoping she's ok and that she will get the help she needs.

You are a true friend.

 

[sillyberry]

ok, glad to hear that they got through, and that they will call you back. you are a great friend.

question though...did you have her address in your wedding planning stuff? surprised that her parents didn't have it...

The address she gave me to send the invitation was her parents' address. As for them not knowing her address...I'm surprised too, to be honest.

But in very good news the police found her and she's okay. I don't know what the procedures are, but according to her dad they're going to do some sort of evaluation.

Thanks again everyone for all your dust and prayers and thoughts.

 

[junebug17]

Oh, I'm so glad they found her and she's ok! Hopefully she'll be willing to receive treatment for her issues. Try to relax and get some rest, it's been a rough night for you! (((hugs)))

 

[megumic]

Thank God. Hope she gets the help she needs and is feeling better soon. You're a great friend

 

[Porridge]

Gosh sillyberry that's awful. Well done - you really saved her life tonight. I hope things improve for her. I imagine she must have been hiding a lot of pain for quite a while now to reach this level. Hopefully this will be the start of the healing process for her.

{hugs}

 

[dragonfly411]

Sillyberry - You are an AMAZING friend! Keep us posted, I hope your friend can find the happier things in life again. She has a treasure of a friend in you.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Wow, you are an amazing friend and have gone above and beyond to protect your friend. I hope she gets the help she needs.

 

[Tuckins1]

Woah, that's a really scary situation. I'm glad that the police were able to find her, hopefully she will get some counseling. Even if it was just an attention thing, she obviously is troubled and needs to talk to someone. What a wonderful friend you are!

 

[sillyberry]

I know I always appreciate follow-up on these kinds of things, so I wanted to tell you all that I just found out that she is checking herself into an inpatient treatment center to get help. I'm guessing it won't be fun or easy, but hopefully this will be the step she needs to move her life in a positive direction.

xoxo

 

[dragonfly411]

Silly - She is checking herself in. That is SO SO SO important. I think by reaching out your friend was explaining she wanted help. She wants to help herself. That's a huge huge step. Bless you for being there for her!