Suicidal friend/colleague

[Toughtips]

I'm stuck, friend doesn't want professional help. It's taking a lot of my time listening to him at work (messages me as we are friends) and I'm just a bit stuck. He doesn't want to take medication or see anyone for talking therapy.

We have a good mental health first aider at work, do I talk to them for advice? I'm worried for them as they talk about suicidal thoughts but have told me to not say anything to anyone else but I'm worried about them.

Talk to the mental health first wider and tell them it’s a colleague that has told you this but don’t currently divulge which colleague.

I would. It's selfish and unfair to place this burden on you and expect you to keep it to yourself.

Tell him that the help is over there and that either he seeks it out or you're going to have to share and get it for him.

They've said they'd rather die than speak to anyone else at work about this. I just feel so helpless and concerned.

Yes, this is actually what the mental health first aider is for. If suicide is mentioned then always better to pass on that information and let someone who is trained deal with this -
Your colleague needs help and you need support - this is too much for you to have to deal with alone.

You can call samaritans for advice. Tell them the dilemma you're in and see if they have some practical advice as to how best to help your colleague and not have to take all the emotional responsibility for his mental well being on your shoulders

Be very careful, OP.
This kind of mental load could seriously drag you down too (I've been there).