This will hurt the person's feelings, make him more upset, and reduce his trust in you. Don't be sworn to secrecy. You must seek help even if it means going against the person's wishes. Offer hope and encouragement. Take necessary action to remove any harmful means, such as guns, pills, or rope.
More people die from suicide than from homicide.
In 1997, there were 1.5 times as many suicides as homicides. Overall, suicide is the eighth leading cause of death for all Americans, and is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24. Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than are females. However, females are more likely to attempt suicide than are males. In 1997, white males accounted for 72 percent of all suicides.