OT - take nothing for granted

TTC

My best friend for the last 15 years committed suicide this afternoon. I had no clue he was in that bad a place, some friend I am.

Please hug those closest to you, tomorrow is truly a gift, not an entitlement

NervousDad

Sorry to hear about your loss.

NPHuskerFL

Man I'm so sorry to hear this. And your absolutely right.

johnkitchens

I am so sorry @TTC. I know you feel guilty, but please don't be too hard on yourself. 

You stated you didn't know. I am sure you would have helped him if you had known he needed it. 

Once again I am so sorry for your loss. 

Dobie

Sorry man, this worlds not easy sometimes.

JohnInCarolina

I lost a good friend about four years ago to suicide. He took his own life in a very public and brutal way. Many of his closest friends had no idea he was that sick. We all wondered why he didn't at least pick up the phone. The thing is, picking up the phone and talking to a friend is a rational thing to do when you're feeling down. People in that state just aren't processing things rationally. It's a tough realization to accept but I firmly believe that to be the case. In any case, terribly sorry for your loss.

TTC

Thanks all. I know that the brain is a crazy thing, and expecting rational behavior from someone that ill is silly.

It is just that the shock has worn off and the pain is setting in.

Thank you all for your words and thoughts.

Jeremiah

It's important to not blame yourself. Depression is something many suffer from in complete silence. Be there for him now by being there for his family. Also don't forget that every area has county/state mental health counselors that specialize in grief. Sometimes taking to a stranger helps much more than family and friends because your/they're not having to keep up the walls. My condolences for your loss.

Fred19Flintstone

I'm sorry about your friend. Avail yourself to those grief counsellors. It made all the difference to my daughter and me when my first wife succumbed to cancer.

Wolfpack

Man- I know that's got to be hard. Prayers go out to you, his family and friends as they struggle through this incomprehensible situation. Mental illness is still the elephant in the room for the US- it's well past time we stop ignoring the problems.

Zmokin

Sorry for your loss, I've known too many that have made that choice.
Unfortunately, many people in that state of mind are very good at hiding it.
Don't blame yourself for not seeing it.  It's not your fault.  And even if you knew, and had tried making him see the error of his thoughts, he still may have made the same choice in the end.
Grieve as you must, but don't blame yourself.

Eggcelsior

Don't be hard on yourself. The depths people's mind goes to when considering this is completely personal and quite hard to change. I've had two friends do it and no one had any idea.

TTC

Again, thank you all. I appreciate your thoughts more than you will ever know. All I can do now is focus on supporting his wife and 3 kids

RiverDoc

Sorry for your loss, keep your head up.

Tjcoley

Sorry for your loss. Continue to support the family, as they need you now more than ever. A friend committed suicide a few months ago, and none of us, friends or family, ever suspected or thought it was possible.

fence0407

Prayers for your friend, his family and yours.

jcaspary

Sorry for your loss. As others have said don't be so hard on yourself and continue to support the family. People in that condition are very good at hiding their emotions. They put on a good face in public but when they are alone the demons come out and it is very hard to change. They feel that there is only one way to go.