I'm calling a suicidal kid tomorrow.

[American Eagle]

Alright, so... last night, an older lady at church came up to me and asked if I'd call and talk to her grandson. He tried to commit suicide the other day, and now he's in the hospital. I think he's being released today. Tomorrow, I'm going to call him. I don't really know him (he may have come to our church once ), but based on his Facebook, he looks like a totally normal 17-year-old kid.

I'm going to invite him to come to our church's winter camp trip. I'm going to it, and his grandma thinks it would be a good opportunity for him to get around godly people and perhaps come to Christ? I also want to make sure he never attempts suicide again...

I'm planning to just be myself and natural, you know... sound like a friend. But if anyone has advice as to what to say/how to handle the conversation, feel free to let me know. Prayers appreciated! I plan to call at like 4:15pm.

[The Top Crusader]

That's really cool of you to do... I admit I'd really hate the idea of doing a cold call like that. Keep us updated!

[Mimi]

I'll be praying for you AE.

[Jesus' Princess]

That's awesome AE, I've had some experiences with suicide or near suicide, and I think talking to other kids your age is really helpful. I'll pray for you.

Edit: in reading over my post I think I should clarify, I personally haven't had experiences with near suicide, people I know actually.

[God's Daughter]

Wow, I will definitely be praying!

[Graces4you]

I'll be praying tomorrow, from the experience of knowing someone who succeeded in the act, just being able to talk to someone who cares might help, though it may take more then one phone call, just be friendly and don't try to force anything upon him, just try to get him to warm up to you if you've never met and invite him to you're church's winter trip, does he know you're calling?

[American Eagle]

does he know you're calling?

As far as I know, he doesn't know I'm calling.

Thanks, Top, for the phrase "cold calling". I might be like, "I know I'm cold calling out of the blue...", to get the awkwardness of starting the conversation out of the way.

Thanks for the prayers, guys! I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

[Marvin D.]

Ooh, I understand :/ Will be praying, JJ!

[The Top Crusader]

Thanks, Top, for the phrase "cold calling". I might be like, "I know I'm cold calling out of the blue...", to get the awkwardness of starting the conversation out of the way.

That may be the hardest part, once you get that out of the way, it should be more smooth. Although it depends on the guys personality I suppose. I look forward to hearing how it goes!

[Blitz]

I will be pray for you and the teen also

[The Kings Daughter]

Mmm, sometimes talking with someone after you've had suicidal thoughts can be hard. Personal experience. Just take it slow, just to know someone is THERE and cares is one of the most precious feelings in the world!!

Prayers!

[Sapphire]

I will be praying, AE.

[31899]

I don't know if you will see this before you make the call, and I'm probably stating the obvious: I suggest not directly talking about his suicide attempt, if he wants to talk about it, he will.

31899

[Whitty Whit]

I don't know if you will see this before you make the call, and I'm probably stating the obvious: I suggest not directly talking about his suicide attempt, if he wants to talk about it, he will.

31899

Hey, what's up? I heard you tried to commit suicide. Did you succeed?

Heh, somehow, I don't think that'll work out well.

Hope it goes well, AE.

[American Eagle]

Ahh, all that anticipation and nervous build-up for a 2-minute conversation. It wasn't what I expected. The kid was incredibly quiet and didn't say much. I told him who I was and how I knew him, and invited him to come to our camp. (31899, I didn't mention his problems at all... ) He asked what it was about (perfect question! I was able to mention hockey and volleyball), and he sounded interested. He said he had a friend he wanted to bring, and that he'd talk to his grandma about it. I ALMOST said something really stupid at the end that would've made me sound like such a stalker, but thankfully, I stopped myself. "Oh... nevermind."

Oh, and I was like, "I think your grandma might've mentioned this camp to you, but if my grandma told me about a camp or something, I wouldn't want to go." It made him chuckle. I ended with something like, "...awesome! Hey, maybe I'll see you next week. Bye."

Thanks for all the prayers. I really hope he comes!

I only used the word "like" three times. *gives self high five*

[Christian A.]

I only used the word "like" three times. *gives self high five*

*gives AE high five*

Sounds like it went really well! I'll keep praying that God will work in the kid's heart.

[God's Daughter]

I just want to say: YOU ROCK! And that I will be praying that he comes, that would be great for him!

[Jesus' Princess]

Sounds like it went well I'll keep praying for him.

[The Kings Daughter]

Saying I'm so proud you're my brother in Christ would sound lame. That's why I just said it, and hope that somehow admitting it sounds lame will help minimize the lameness.

Glad it went well. =)

[SoccerLOTR]

Wow, that would be tough, but that's great that you did it. Sounds like you handled it well and he was fairly receptive to it, thank God! Even if he doesn't come to the camp, maybe you can just get him involved with some other activities even. Keep us updated, I will be praying for you both!