Emily, if you are comfortable with it, you might also have a blunt discussion with her on death. What does she think it would be like; how would it feel; what does she expect, etc. And, by all means, tell her how you would feel and what a mess it can be. Sometimes being blunt can shock a person out of the thinking rut they might be in. My uncle used a gun to commit suicide after living in constant pain for many years from WWII wounds. I am sure he never thought of how messy and horrible it was for my cousin to have to clean his brains up off of the garage floor.

On a more positive note, you might try getting her to go with you to help someone else, such as singing in a nursing home or visiting children in hospital; anything to get her to think of someone other than herself and her hopelessness.

I think Margo raised a good point. If she's been like this for years, has she ever had any therapy? Did the schools ever notice or her parents? Most people who talk about it a lot, from what I've read and heard, do so because they are crying out for attention. It sounds as though there must be some issues for her about that. While you don't want to ignore her talking about it, perhaps getting friends to agree to trying to give her attention only for more positive things would help, kind of like LTS was talking about with her friend?

As others have said, she needs professional help; take care of yourself first; and, know that it is NOT your fault if she chooses to follow through.

Holding you and your friend in my thoughts and prayers.

Kat