Have you ever had to talk someone out of doing something they would regret (monetary, suicide, etc)?

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 09:41:00 -0500

Many have had to talk people off of a ledge so to speak. Have you? Share your story and give some advice to everyone.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Dec 6 at 2017 9:43 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 09:43:49 -0500

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member: On Facebook, I have talked my autistic daughter out of suicide at least twice. -Margaret

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 6 at 2017 9:44 AM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 09:44:27 -0500

I have never successfully talked someone out of doing something rash. I have convinced them to sleep on it. Then next day most of them talk themselves out of it.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Dec 6 at 2017 9:58 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 09:58:34 -0500

One person during basic training, he was talking about going AWOL. Talked out doing it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2017 9:59 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 09:59:41 -0500

Preventive medicine.... Don't drink, don't do drugs. Get plenty of sleep. Don't compare yourself to others on Facebook. Don't have the feeling of missing out. If you are spiritual, pray to God. Work out, go for a walk. Eat some food. Don't internalize it.

Response by SPC David Willis made Dec 6 at 2017 10:03 AM

SPC David Willis — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 10:03:35 -0500

I tried to convince a new guy not to get married over his mid tour R&R to a girl he met on facebook a couple months prior. He did it anyway and was divorced by the time we redeployed home...

Response by Mara Hedin made Dec 6 at 2017 10:28 AM

Mara Hedin — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 10:28:17 -0500

I unfortunately had to talk an ex out of suicide. I called the cops to try and find him, but since it had been so many years since we dated, most of the info I could give them was old. His old address, his old car. I was able to convince my ex to turn his location services on his FB messenger he was incoherently chatting with me on. As soon as he finally turned it on, I called the officer back who I was working with, and they were able to find him in a parking lot, puking up his guts from how many pills he had taken. I am not sure if he would still be alive if they hadn't have found him. He either would have OD or crashed his car and hurt even more lives.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2017 11:40 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 11:40:05 -0500

I have talked to some folks about the negative side effects of suicide, but the more common one that I've dealt with is definitely monetary. I don't know why but it seems like every young soldier thinks that they can afford brand new sports cars and the like. Majority of the time they never think about the up keep of such vehicles. When I've laid out the costs of oil changes, brakes, and the recommended up keep they generally change their tunes.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Dec 6 at 2017 6:30 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 18:30:27 -0500

The biggest advice I can give is to be nice to everyone because you never know what battle someone is going through. Sometimes that kind gesture is enough to get someone to reach out.

I'm really big into holidays. So back in high school, I was that guy who gave Christmas cards to everyone. Because of this act, one of the people I gave a Christmas card to mailed me his suicide letter during the school break. He even referenced the card I gave him. It's incredibly heart-wrenching, especially during the holidays. As soon as I recognized it for what it was, I ripped open a phone book, found his address, called his number and notified his parents. He was found just in time.

Probably the hardest thing I've ever gone through. If that letter was late... or his phone number was unlisted... or if he mailed it right before taking his own life. Those are the What Ifs that weighed on my soul when I read that letter.

Response by CPO Mark Robinson made Dec 6 at 2017 7:01 PM

CPO Mark Robinson — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 19:01:00 -0500

Tried to talk my buddy out of marrying a girl he met on his first liberty call in the Philippines. Tried to explain to him that she was a prostitute and that there was no way you could possibly marry a person who you only known a few months and have actually been with less than a month. Of course he didn't listen. They have been married over 30 years now and raised four wonderful boys. Maybe it was good that he didn't listen to me.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2019 12:42 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Sep 2019 12:42:15 -0400

I had to talk someone out of killing herself after a sexual assault. She was raped by someone who out ranked her and the only way i could do it was to tell her about mine. To get on that level with her brought back memories that i thought where long passed and i cant lie it wasnt easy cause while mid conversation i wanted to kill myself also. To be a man and sexually assaulted isnt easy i still deal with it some days are better than others but im glad i got through to her. Shes a captain now and still serving and we talk all the time when bad days meet up or im feeling down or she is we talk sometimez all day just to make it through.