To ascertain actual helpful and unhelpful remarks received from others
, 40 previously suicidal students answered open-ended questions about
their experiences and completed the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire (
SBQ). Respondents were still moderately suicidal on the SBQ, even thou
gh their most recent suicidal episode was an average of 3 years earlie
r Respondents reported that family, friends, and personal resources we
re most helpful in keeping them alive. Those who told someone about th
eir suicidal ideas or plans reported helpful remarks (''The situation
is not worth dying for'') that appeared to be empathic and thoughtful.
Those who told no one about their suicidal ideas or plans, speculated
helpful remarks that also appeared to be empathic and thoughtful. In
contrast, unhelpful remarks (e.g., ''You are stupid'') appeared to be
simplistic and thoughtless. Implications are that those who are suicid
al should be careful in choosing person(s) in whom they confide, and t
raining modules that give examples of actual helpful remarks might be
useful for students.