If a person with multiple personalities threatens suicide, is that considered a hostage situation?
97248
No, that's a 'terrorist cell'!
658325
I was in a similar situation years ago.  I posed this same question to a Buddhist monk and he thought about it a while and said to say that if you kill yourself, I must die too.  The problem with that is if the lady is mentally unstable, she might take you up on that.  Better get to a counselor with her to work through her issues.
963946
You can not be sent to jail after a suicide attempt.  That is what is meant by it is not an imprison-able or capital offense.  It is not an offense at all.  People who have attempted suicide are often taken to a hospital.  When they are stable, depending on their state of being are either released or taken to a treatment facility.  Attempted suicide is a person's desperate cry for help.  It does not mean they have a pathetic life, it means they have severe depression and need professional help to overcome the despair and sadness in their life.  People who love people who have committed suicide or attempted suicide will disagree with you that no one cares for a person who attempts suicide.  I have a nephew who has attempted suicide twice.  He is under a doctor's care, but struggles with many issues including depression.  Trust us, none of us wants him to take his own life.
1069586
i'm a muslim and I'd have to say that anybody who is suicidal and armed is a great danger to himself and others. So, the suicidal maniac is much much worse.\n\nBut I wouldn't limit it to the muslims. Police in the usa run into suicidal people, which police will tell you, are the most dangerous calls they take - they never know how many people they will try to take out with them.\n\ni personally "enjoy" visits from jehovahs witnesses. lol, they usually start to running after i compare their beliefs to islam lol. \n\nBut seriously, they can be pretty decent these days, if you just let them get their initial little "speech" out and then respond to their words. You can easily shock them that way. They almost don't know what to say after that lol.
564602
unless and until the person is mentally disturbed he or she cannot make attempt against anyones life.
486259
Well, since he said he was testing me in a workplace situation I would assume I am interviewing for the position of a suicide negotiator. I would look out the window to find where he is standing and talk him back in. If it is a different job...If the job is that stressful I don't think I want it! I would go home and check the classifieds for something else.
977567
SUICIDE IS A BIT OF A COP OUT, BUT I DON'T REALLY THINK THE PERSON IS A COWARD.  I THINK THEY ARE VERY TROUBLED AND NEED PROFESSIONAL HELP.  \n\nSUICIDE IS A PERMANANT SOLUTION TO A TEMPORARY PROBLEM.
1153806
Yes, i've meet a few in my day.  And almost anyone who has gone to jail, is considered to have this disorder.  The personality is that of charisma, slyness, and have the qualities of  a con artist.  They hate rules and think they can get around them, like its the goal in life.  If the light is red, they'll go, if it's raining they'll walk outside kind of stuff.  Everyone and thing is against them and they have to prove them wrong.  Pretty interesting people, but don't turn around long enough so they can stab you in the back.
947701
Yes you can, but you'd probably lose.\n\nIt's against the law to commit suicide and is against the law to watch someone commiting suicide. You must help that person wether she/he likes it or not.\n\nMugsy's place what the hell does that mena?
391462
I think he demanded two because, that way someone won't give him a bad parachute. People will think that he's taking a hostage with him & won't risk the hostage's life by giving a parachute that won't open in the middle of the sky or had any other fault. Am I right? Am I right?
960247
I'm surprised the docs at the ER released him after one day. Suicide attempt sounds like a good candidate for an inpatient stay (but there are often a lack of beds in some hospitals).\n\nIf he is an imminent danger at any time you or his parents or anyone can call 911 and have him taken against his will.\n\nIn the meantime, my experience is to use a bit of tough love to get people to actively seek and participate in help. They are cognitively buried in that day's pity.  \n\nI go through a list of questions. "Do you remember a day when you were happy?  Or not depressed?"  "Did you want to kill yourself then?"  "What changed between then and now?" "Do you realize that hurting yourself might be a permanent solution to this problem? If you make an impulsive decision in this state of mind, do you realize you don't get to go back the next day and take it all back?"\n\nThen I bring up the selfishness of the suicidal mentality (not in a harsh way but tough love, and pointing out that the person is loved and people are there to support him/her).  Does he care that little about you and his family that he wont accept help during this period or that he will run away from you all permanently?\n\nBasically the final steps of the conversation should be a mutual agreement that he needs help doing what's best for him and everyone who cares for him is right there beside him and that you will both go right away to start packing for an inpatient stay or looking up doctors for outpatient therapy. If I were you, I would consider the inpatient because one day isn't long to get over whatever he was battling that day. My guess is a serious convo about the situation will open him up and you'll see his real emotional state.
348770
Only if the other personalities are being held against their will...
598288
no .. you should just stay out of it.. no one takes anyone away, unless that person wants to go.. you have to remember we all have our own minds and free will..
705409
YEA...\nHE HAD MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES !!!
989552
No, but it's a character flaw if you consistently exploit it.\n\nHowever, an inability to understand the moral consequences of manipulating others can be a sign of mental illness.
571531
If the person is a therapist (in my state) they are responsible for taking action, in accordance with a specific "standard of care".  But a regular citizen is not responsible.  However folks tend to feel pretty guilty when they didn't do anything.  Do whatever is reasonable to protect yourself from possible guilt.  But do not let the suicidal person manipulate you by this method.  If you can get them to a therapist then it is off your shoulders.
209977
Maybe ... and it would certainly be of PR value.  Otherwise, I'm not sure exactly how much the capture of this one man will change things.  And isn't that what matters?  (Some seem to suggest that if he is capture or killed, the terrorists will all give up.  You've got to be kidding me!)\n\nThe point is to thwart the abilities of those who think like him from carrying out their wishes.  Every other terrorist leader we kill, capture or disable, every cell we can break up, put on the run, or deprive of assistance (e.g., from states friendly to them), every place we decrease the prospect of their success (helping those offering ALTERNATIVES to terror) and so discourage others from joining them  is a step toward success.