Here it is. If you think I should change something around, please tell. I know this is off-topic, but I need an opinion!
An ex-girlfriend of mine, K., once told me she had attempted suicide, failed, and was contemplating another attempt. I was only 15 at the time, and she was 18. The amount of shock I felt when she broke the news to me was immense: beautiful, intelligent and popular, she appeared to be a well-adjusted and gregarious young woman. Because I felt terribly inadequate to deal with the issue, I decided to give her a suicide hotline number, as well as the names of professionals she could contact. She immediately refused. Instead, fearing that her problem would no longer be a secret, she told me not to tell anybody about our conversation. Though I agreed, a sense of urgency had completely overwhelmed me: if I waited too long and she succeeded at another attempt, I would feel guilty for the rest of my life. I decided to tell her aunt the following morning. Her aunt was an individual I trusted, and due to her maturity, intelligence, and relatively close relationship with K., I felt she would be the best person to talk to. I told her aunt to casually mention to K. that she had "appeared a bit depressed lately", and to quickly intervene from there. Her aunt eventually convinced her to attend counseling in the Chicago area. K. is now 24 years old, professionally successful, and far more emotionally stable. I never found out what triggered her depression, nor have I told her about the information I passed to her aunt. Though my actions might have been considered immoral in her opinion, failing to act could have put her life into jeopardy. Thus, I felt I made the wisest decision possible.
An ex-girlfriend of mine, K., once told me she had attempted suicide, failed, and was contemplating another attempt. I was only 15 at the time, and she was 18. The amount of shock I felt when she broke the news to me was immense: beautiful, intelligent and popular, she appeared to be a well-adjusted and gregarious young woman. Because I felt terribly inadequate to deal with the issue, I decided to give her a suicide hotline number, as well as the names of professionals she could contact. She immediately refused. Instead, fearing that her problem would no longer be a secret, she told me not to tell anybody about our conversation. Though I agreed, a sense of urgency had completely overwhelmed me: if I waited too long and she succeeded at another attempt, I would feel guilty for the rest of my life. I decided to tell her aunt the following morning. Her aunt was an individual I trusted, and due to her maturity, intelligence, and relatively close relationship with K., I felt she would be the best person to talk to. I told her aunt to casually mention to K. that she had "appeared a bit depressed lately", and to quickly intervene from there. Her aunt eventually convinced her to attend counseling in the Chicago area. K. is now 24 years old, professionally successful, and far more emotionally stable. I never found out what triggered her depression, nor have I told her about the information I passed to her aunt. Though my actions might have been considered immoral in her opinion, failing to act could have put her life into jeopardy. Thus, I felt I made the wisest decision possible.