Those who talk about their suicidal thoughts do attempt suicide. Case studies have shown that many people who do take their lives have told others about it in the weeks prior to their death. If someone is going to kill themselves, there is nothing you can do about it. If you can offer appropriate help and emotional support to people who have suicidal thoughts, then you can reduce the risk of them dying by suicide. Suicidal people are fully intent on dying.
Many suicidal people are undecided about living or dying right up to the moment of the suicidal act.
Many people who have survived a suicidal attempt report they regret having tried to kill themselves. Those who have attempted suicide once are 100 times more likely than the general population to try again. Nearly four in ten who die by suicide have made a previous attempt. Talking about suicide encourages it. Allowing a person to talk through their worst fears and feelings may provide them with a lifeline which makes all the difference between choosing to live or choosing to die.