Michelle Carter was sentenced to 15 months in jail for involuntary manslaughter after persuading her boyfriend to commit suicide. On January 23rd, Carter was released early from jail for good behavior. It is essential to know what to do when someone you love is considering suicide.
What Happened in the Michelle Carter Texting Scandal?
Carter and her boyfriend, Conrad Roy, had a relationship in 2012 mostly through texts and emails. Roy was depressed and suffered physical and verbal abuse in his home. Initially, when Carter found out that Roy was suicidal, she tried to stop him and told him to get professional help. However, in 2014, Roy told Carter that he did not want to go through with his suicide attempt. Carter convinced him to go through with it, likening their relationship to a modern Romeo and Juliet. On July 13th, Roy poisoned himself with carbon monoxide fumes in his truck. Not only did Carter encourage Roy to kill himself, but she also withheld information from Roy’s family.
What Do You Do If You Receive a Call From Someone Suicidal?
The best thing that you can do for a suicidal person is to listen. Let the person unload everything they have to say. Acknowledge to that person that they did the right thing by calling you. If your friend is telling you that they feel they cannot go on, ask them if they are suicidal. If they are, ask them what their plan is, if they have the means, and when they plan on it happening. If there is someone in the house with you, have them call 911 and tell them the location of your suicidal friend. Avoid any arguments or problem-solving. Just show that you understand what they are going through. Do not get off the phone until you can tell they have calmed down and are no longer actively planning their suicide. Check-in with that person after. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Hotline or 1-800-662-4357 for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
At Alta Loma Transformational Living, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. Alta Loma uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, where you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 866-457-3843.
