Hi Zach. This is such a moving article. The trite suggestions you describe would not really help anyone. It doesn’t matter if they are true or not. If someone is suicidal I’m not sure they can really hear you. You have told us what not to say and that is a start. What can we do other than listen and love people in this pain?

I appreciated the advice of one of the responders, suggesting one call a therapist or counselor.

Thank you for putting this in front of us. I wish you the best and really tell us what we can do for you.