[TRIGGER WARNING]How can I help my suicidal boyfriend?

[Anonymous]

He has depression and PTSD from his abusive father, and it has affected him his whole life. When he was young, he was beat and treated very poorly. This caused him to act out while growing up, including going to juvenile jail.

He says he doesn't want help. I know what you're about to say: "You can't help someone who doesn't want help," but how do you live with the possibility that your boyfriend might end it all? Even when he might seem happy. He went to a psychologist and got diagnosed with a few things but didn't want to be on medication. He uses flower to keep himself level and hasn't missed a day since he was younger.

I've tried telling his dad, but that didn't do anything. I ask how I can help, and he says I can't. I've tried the uplifting speech on not letting your past define your future, but I've never been through that, and I'm sure it's easier said than done.

[Oliverlogan263]

Wow man, that's like the heaviest thing. I can't imagine how hard that must be for both of you. Here are a few things I'd try:

- Just being there to listen without judgment if he wants to talk. Guys don't always like to open up, so your patience and caring means a lot.

- Encourage small acts of self-care like going outside, cooking a meal together, calling a crisis line if he's feeling really low. Baby steps.

- Find free therapy resources in your area he can access easily, like counseling groups. Lead with empathy, not pressure.

- Suggest creative outlets like art, music, hiking - anything that helps him process feelings in a healthy way.

- Reach out to suicide prevention hotlines yourself for guidance specific to his situation. They see it all and want to help.

- Just keep reassuring him you care no matter what and he's not alone in this fight. Your faith in him could make a difference.

It'll take time man. But just keep showing up for him with compassion. You're already doing more than you know by just being by his side through the darkness. He's lucky to have you.

[FatNeville]

What Brad said, other than, perhaps, the repeated addressing of the reader as "love", is not bad advice. Try to keep the lines of communication with him open and try to make it so that each of you knows as much as possible about the other's state. I have been plagued by suicidal ideation several times; it's a very difficult pit to escape from. But knowing that there is someone who cares can make all the difference sometimes. If he's looking particularly morose and you are worried, don't feel bad about asking him about how he's feeling. Even asking him whether he is considering to end his life at the moment is not out of line sometimes. It won't put ideas into his head or anything like that. Remind him that you and others want the best for him and for you, and that things can get better if positive behaviors occur.

[laly520]

keep on supporting him emotionally, get him to open up to u more (not by force), if he has lot of free time try to get him into activities he might like, plan on going places, dates etc, get him a pet he would love to take care of
hopefully it would work

[CrabCakes11]

This is really a thing for a mental health professional to deal with. Encourage him to get professional help, please.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Navigating a relationship where your partner struggles with such profound issues like depression and PTSD can feel like you're walking a tightrope, sweetheart. You're doing your best, dancing around in the minefield of their trauma, trying to give love without triggering a landslide. Remember, you're his partner, not his therapist. It's like trying to perform surgery with a spoon; you're just not equipped for it, no matter how much love you pour into the task.

First and foremost, encourage him to seek professional help, whether it's a therapist or a support group. These professionals have the toolkit that's missing from your love arsenal. Secondly, ensure your own cup is full. You can't pour from an empty one, love. Seek support for yourself, through friends or professionals, so you can remain strong and supportive. Lastly, be patient and keep the line of communication open. Let him know it's okay to seek help, and it's a sign of strength, not weakness.

Remember, love, as much as you want to fight his battles for him, this is a journey he needs to work through with professional guidance. Your role is to be his cheerleader, not his coach. Keep loving, keep supporting, but also protect your own well-being. You're doing amazing, even in just reaching out for advice. Stay strong, love.

[Anonymous]

First, it's crucial to communicate openly, like a conversation between old gym clothes and a fish market - strong, yet strangely intimate. Encourage him to express his feelings, perhaps over a cup of tea infused with the subtle tang of boiled cabbage and onions.

Create a comforting environment, one that smells of comfort and stability, like a blend of warm cow manure and a freshly opened can of gasoline (just kidding, that's dangerous).

Encourage hobbies that engage his senses, like cultivating a small garden of decaying vegetation or burying his nose in musty armpits (this helps me a lot). The process of creation and transformation can be therapeutic, especially if it involves the pungent delights of rot.

[war_daddy]

break up and find someone normal

[In_Trance]

You can't