What do you do when you know someone is suicidal?

[Biancadelrioisback]

Sorry for the lack of details here, I'm really worried about being outed.
I've just found out that a close relative of mine has been contemplating suicide. Apparently they had planned it all out and was meant to be around now. Their plans had to change due to their partner finding out and other stuff going on. I've found out by accident.
I can't explain fully but I can't speak to anyone about this because it could cause more problems.
I don't know what to do. The person in question can't know I know but I also can't sit back and do nothing.
What can I do?

You may have seen a previous thread of mine about being the partner of someone suffering with depression/anxiety/stress/MH conditions. My DH is depressed and some days it's so hard to plaster on a smile and face the world. I'm a huge advocate of talking about these issues because they impact so many people, not just those who are are directly effected, but their loved ones too. All of my focus was on DH which made this even more difficult to discover that my relative was suffering so badly too and I hadn't noticed. It really is a huge issue and I really do with the stigma attached would just bugger off. If someone is having a bad day, a day where they can't function, why should they slap on a smile?? I can't even count the number of mornings when I've gone into work and quickly had to fix my makeup because I'd been crying in the car a few moments before. And seeking help from the NHS is so difficult as well! You get recommended CBT but have to wait 6 weeks first and even then, the chap on the other side of the phone is reading a script and ticking boxes. No actually help is given and no follow up. People with MH issues (for lack of a better word) are the ones who struggle to reach out to people, yet the only way to help them is to expect them to reach out and take control. It's like asking someone without legs to walk to the doctor.
I feel like in failing everyone around me, and everyone is slipping through my fingers. I just want this to stop!

Wow. Sorry. That was just a great big vent.

OP you have to be careful that your love and kindness don't morph into guilt and responsibility for the people concerned. You can't save them. You can be there for them, support them and love them, but you can't fix them or make it all better. Make sure you put boundaries in place to safeguard your own mental health, or they will drag you down until there is nothing left of you to cope. I speak from experience.

@Bianca what you say is so true. I totally relate. It makes me so angry when people talk about 'getting help' or 'going to the doctor'. There IS no help. I have a close relative with severe MH issues and beyond CBT they have been offered nothing. This person is actively suicidal. CBT has made no difference, and it isn't something that really helps people who are severely depressed anyway. For those who can't afford private therapy, there is nothing. I am speaking of the those who are depressed. Those caring for them are completely without support in my experience. I have been sucked dry over many years. Platitudes about 'looking after yourself' and 'putting on your own oxygen mask first' are not really very helpful. It is utterly exhausting and has eaten up my life.