My niece became very depressed after an illness at college & had a mental breakdown. We believe she was preparing to kill herself as she gave all her things away. My brother had her hospitalized at Dartmouth for several months, then home & in an outpatient care program here. When she returned to school a year later to finish her last term, my brother stayed with her the entire term, taking a half year off work. It's been 4 years now, but she's still quite fragile, but no longer suicidal/depressed. She cannot handle any stress though. My brother in law was a paranoid schizophrenic who shot himself when I was 12. And I know several other families who have had suicides. It's not an easy thing to cope with when it happens, and not easy to deal with the aftermath of an attempt either. DO keep lines of communication open with the hospital. I believe they will be most responsive to families who show a strong interest. Programs vary from state to state, so maybe search on line for the mental health dept. in your area to find out how things work. Your son may attempt this again - many people do several attempts. But the key is that he has survived this, so now help can be provided. Stay strong -I'm glad he's survived.

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I have no advice but I do want to send prayers and hugs your way.

Please keep us updated. I'm so sorry you are having to go through this.

Is his suicidial ideation from something situational (breakup with a girl friend, etc)? Has he talked to you about why he wants to die?
There are many kinds of antidepressants out there that are very effective. It's just a matter of patience because it takes weeks to reach a therapeutic level.
Some find it barbaric threatment, but a member of my family was suicidal and they only treatment that really helped were ECT treatments. That was over 15 years ago and has not had any relapses since the ECT treatments.

Abikat, I'm so sorry your family has had to go through this. I can't imagine what that is like for a parent. I hope your son gets both the medication and psychological counseling he needs. I agree, he can win this with proper care and treatment. You've received great advice thus far, but I wanted to add that in Minnesota Lutheran Social Services are available to you if you need someone to talk to about this.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota :: Minnesota's Largest Non-Profit Social Service Agency

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Prayers being said for ya'll.

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Think big! Change the world! One A.R.K at a time.

I'm sorry I have no advice, but I do hope you can feel this:

Thank you everyone!! I really appreciate everything you all have said.
I just got home from a family meeting with my son and his case workers/Dr's. He has been diagnosed with a Severe Major Depression. His depression and thoughts of suicide do not have life triggers as you would normally expect, it is completely chemical. The Dr's have given him every test under the sun including much blood work (even a DNA gene test that will be sent to Mayo) MRI, CT, EKG, EEG, and X-rays. As of this moment, I am hopeful he is in good safe hands. The Dr's are going to be writing letters to the insurance co. to make sure he can stay as long as he needs. They are saying (and I agree) this is going to be a long overhaul of his mind and body; it could be October-November before he is well enough to come home. He is in Minneapolis and that's a long drive now days so I hope we can see him once a week.

I told him tonight that I consider every breath he takes as a gift and we are Sooo So lucky and happy to have him here and be able to have a conversation with him. After the meeting I asked him to play a song he wrote on the piano for me and I sat behind him and cried silently both tears of pain and joy. I may not have ever got to hear him play again but the fact that he is here and CAN is truly a miracle. He composes music and I hope he can find comfort in this again.

Thank you all very much again! We are very grateful for the prayers and warm wishes sent our way!
-E-

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I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and in my prayers.

Oh sweetie, hugs to you. You and your family will be in my thoughts.

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To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing. -Elbert Hubbard

I'm glad to hear that things are sounding a bit better. Your son has a long road head of him ... but with you by his side, I know it will go a bit more smooth.