TW: mentions of suicide &amp; self harm

Currently i’m really big in my high school theatre. I’m actually directing a class, and i’m a senior and only 18 years old. However, one of the kids i’m directing i’ve recently found at has attempted…

It happened last week and he talked about not being on his meds a day after he missed practice. I’m assuming because he attempted to overdose.

How I found out this information was today I heard him talking to his friends about it, and his friends word for word said “don’t worry bud, maybe you’ll succeed next time” then proceed to talk about how it isn’t hard to commit suicide.

For the past year and a half i’ve struggled with depression. I’ve attempted twice now and I constantly still do this day struggle with self harm. For me, this has become very, very personal.

I’m the director to a play and I don’t want any of my cast mates to suffer the way I have and continue to do so. Especially him. He’s younger than I am and I truly want the best for him. I care for him and everyone else I direct a lot.

I guess my reason for being here is… i’m not sure what to do next. I don’t know him well so part of me knows I have no right to talk to him.

However, the other part of me wants to help him. I’m an upperclassman so i’m thinking him seeing me take time out of directing to talk to him could maybe help.

He’s talented and I see so much potential in this kid. I don’t want him to feel alone or actually end up doing something. 


Honestly, I have no right to talk to him. I cant tell him it gets better because as far as I know it doesn’t. Almost anything I say would be hypocritical but I want to help him the way I wish someone would help me.

So… what should I do? Should I attempt to talk to him? The most i’d do is say if he needs a day off for mental health he can tell me and I won’t make him act. I was thinking of maybe giving him my number and just offering to listen whenever he needs it. I know he most likely wouldn’t take it but I want to at least try. Sitting and doing nothing kills me.