Unusual Text

[Itez]

This isn't a big deal. He's been depressed and somewhat distant, but not totally out of touch. I sent him a check in text and he answered. Then a few days later he texted again saying he hopes I'm safe. There's no reason to think I'm unsafe. It was just unusual and I don't know what to make of it, if anything. I don't know if there's really anything to figure out, it just seemed like a weird thing to say when there's no particular reason for it.

 

[Adugi]

Weird messages from depressed people make me nervous. I'd follow something like that up with something like "I'm fine, how are you?" and I'd be wanting a straight answer to the question.

 

[Itez]

That is pretty much what I said and then I made small talk. Why does it concern you?

 

[Mipoke]

Did you ask him about it? Only he can tell you want he meant. We all can speculate but we dont know.

Maybe he was feeling unsafe when he sent it. Who knows. Id say "im ok, how are you?" Or tell him you're safe so he knows. Maybe its a flashback. Could be a million reasons that he said it. Maybe he waant thinking and meant it as a "hope you're doing well" or something.

 

[Itez]

That's exactly what I said and he answered that he's checking on me too. Idk. It's just odd.

 

[Etupe]

It concerns me because one of the things some people do before they kill themselves is more or less cover all the bases. One friend of mine, in the days before his suicide, went to an assortment of business associates and made sure everyone was on the same page with whatever they were engaged in. Another friend called to talk, then put his wife on the phone. She & I got along, but didn't like each other. I think, now, that he wanted to be sure I was going to be onboard for whatever she needed once he was gone. Could be I think that way because of my own experiences, but that's why it makes me nervous. It's not going to hurt to ask.

 

[Itez]

He's had a history of being suicidal.

 

[Rowefi]

Call me paranoid, but it might be good if someone asks if he's feeling suicidal NOW.

 

[Itez]

Not paranoid. I think he is.

 

[Vulu]

Can you talk to him about it?

 

[Itez]

I don't know. He's been MIA the last few days.

 

[Eje]

What's the worst that could happen? (Don't answer that.) He's not quite MIA now. That call sounds a bit like him, reaching out. You don't have to be pushy about it, but see if you can drop by with milk & cookies, or pizza, or something. Tell him you miss him and you're worried about him. See where it goes. Sometimes, when dying seems like a good idea, it matters to know, for sure, beyond any doubt, that someone cares about you. They don't expect anything, they just a appreciate that you're in their world.