A lot of suicide attempts describe wanting to be talked out of their attempt. They want someone to help stop them. I've been on the receiving end of a call from someone who wanted to be talked down.
I think having a universal number to call if you don't have anyone else is valuable. Will it stop all suicides? No. Will it help reduce suicides in people who are considering but not yet decided? Yes.
> Will it help reduce suicides in people who are considering but not yet decided? Yes.
Is this a made-up statistic? Do we have any good studies that show that a suicide hotline that could loop in emergency services, possibly get you involuntarily committed, and possibly be something that employers and insurers could find out the for the rest of your life reduces mortality, or is that just the kind "common sense" that's so obvious that we don't have to do science?
If you might kill yourself, involuntary commitment might be the right course of action.
Typically these things can't be communicated to employers or insurers unless you generate a criminal complaint - eg you decide your method of suicide is going to involve victims.
Yes people who attempt suicide probably have shorter lifespans. I'll leave it to you to puzzle that one yet.
I think having a universal number to call if you don't have anyone else is valuable. Will it stop all suicides? No. Will it help reduce suicides in people who are considering but not yet decided? Yes.