Is talking about suicide, or threatening to kill yourself just a ploy to get attention?

It is best to treat talk and threats about suicide seriously. Research indicates that up to 80% of suicidal people signal their intentions to others, in the hope that the signal will be recognized as a cry for help. These signals often include making a joke or threat about suicide, or making a reference to being dead.

It may be that someone is using a suicide attempt as a cry for help; even if it is, shouldn’t you listen? Some may dismiss suicide attempts as attention seeking – and that’s not a good idea. Someone discussing thoughts of suicide or attempting to take their life is always something to take notice of.

If we do take them seriously and ask them if they mean what they are saying, the worst that can happen is we will learn that they really were joking. Not asking could result in a far worse outcome.

Source: suicidemyths.org