Worrying about suicidal people online - ways to stop fearing the worst?

I have a thing when people online (real, or fake) say they are feeling suicidal or have attempted. What tips are there for us when someone online says this, to get closure or know if they are okay? Basically I want to know ways to find out an online stranger hasn’t died? Any tips or ideas?

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AngelUnforgiven · 51-55, F

Honestly i dont say anything most of the time because words matter and my worst fear is to say something and make it worse. All i can do is advise them to seek help. But i also want them to know that they are seen and being heard.

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robbie2499 · 61-69, F

@AngelUnforgiven I agree 100%.

BurningBright · 31-35, M

@AngelUnforgiven someone online ages back might have died (hopefully it was faked by a troll/catfish) but idk how I can know for sure 😢

AngelUnforgiven · 51-55, F

@BurningBright I am so sorry to hear that. I pray that it isn't true.

BurningBright · 31-35, M

@AngelUnforgiven thank you. I hope it was a lie.

It happened on MySpace in 2009. I believe the person was lying as they were using photos of other people and I was messaged by multiple accounts in a pile-on attack. All the accounts had fake images of site-models.

In light of this, do you think I was lied to and no one attempted, or died? The fear has always stuck in my head that it was real - even if the people saying it had fake identities 😢

BurningBright · 31-35, M

@robbie2499 thank you Robbie!

Honestly, I hope it was a big lie. It left me with trauma 😔

It happened on MySpace in 2009. I believe the person was lying as they were using photos of other people and I was messaged by multiple accounts in a pile-on attack. All the accounts had fake images of site-models.

In light of this, do you think I was lied to and no one attempted, or died? The fear has always stuck in my head that it was real - even if the people saying it had fake identities 😢

AngelUnforgiven · 51-55, F

@BurningBright anything is possible. You have to take everything that people online say with a grain of salt.

BurningBright · 31-35, M

@AngelUnforgiven anything is possible? Do you think it’s more likely to be a lie?? Or true? 🤔 😔

AngelUnforgiven · 51-55, F

@BurningBright I honestly can't say because I don't know the person I wish that I could be of more help.

BurningBright · 31-35, M

@AngelUnforgiven I kinda feel like if someone has a fake identity, it’s unlikely they were telling the truth about a suicide/ attempt. Idk though if that’s often the case, online especially?