Life can feel unbearable. Sometimes internal stress is worse than realities, and sometimes we are able to rise above them. If you think about it, humans are amazingly resilient -- they get through tornadoes and fires and war, and are able to start again.
Some of those disturbances take a lot out of us, and put us into a state of shock or despair. Less visible things can also make us feel that way -- lack of sleep or nutrients, rejection, deaths of friends, no hope in sight.
The Bible shows a few instances of people who felt so utterly exhausted that they wished to die. The Bible does not show this in a condemning matter, but simply records it as history. I don't know if it's helpful to show, unless the person is overcome with guilt for wanting to die.
Numbers 11:13 (Moses said) Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, 'Give us meat to eat!' I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now - if I have found favor in your eyes - and do not let me face my own ruin."
Solomon's
Ecclesiastes shows discouraged emotions... the Psalms show David and others feeling so much rejection that their lives were continually threatened.
Saul asked to be killed,
Elijah wanted to die,
Jonah ran from a calling in a self-destructive way, and later asked God to die when things felt unfair.
As a Christian, there are other issues to consider. If a suicide leaves children parent-less or friends mourning, it becomes a selfish decision. You are
already grieving the possibility, as a friend. I have heard people speak of doing it out of spite, to prove to an oppressor how bad their treatment was. To make them hurt. We all know that spite doesn't solve problems, but it can feel like it will.
You can offer verses on love and endurance and faith, but that may seem insensitive.
They may also speak of suicide to get people to think through their actions. (Boyfriends wanting to die if a girl rejects them, children resentful of parents.) They may say things like, "If you break up with me I will die," and manipulate the relationship. As Christians, we are told to
forgive 70x7.
Not let the sun go down on our anger.
Teens who are worried about pregnancy sometimes feel it's easier to die than to face their parents with the truth. Or unemployed get stuck in ruts where they are unable to see solutions beyond the norm -- it is easier to give up than to move to another city or try something that's unconventional. People feel very trapped and lose a sense of hope. The Bible tells us to put our trust in God, and hold fast to faith. It sounds easy in prose, but takes effort and God's help.
And then there are people who feel a burst of heroism will solve a problem -- as if death prevents others from suffering. Samson's death was similar to this, as his suicide also killed enemies.
Judges 16
Paul dealt sensibly with this wish to get out of this evil world.
I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; But it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
As for your friend, it's important that they feel supported and heard. Be there for them, and put yourself into a similar timeless mindset where real worth is long-term investment in others. If you feel manipulated, encourage a few friends to come around them.
Parsley
