Two actors, Demi Moore and Nia Vardalos, directed police to the home of an 18-year-old Florida man, on Friday. The man had written a message on Twitter saying he had and was “thinking about killing myself”. He tweeted that he had “messed up my life bad” and had “no reason to live anymore” then saying he was “about to go hang myself from a tree outside my house and end my life”.

Moore tweeted back ask the man if he needed help. He responded, “yes”.

I’v heard a lot of labels put onto people for their suicidal thoughts and actions. People are not selfish, or bad, or stupid because of their state of mind or the solutions devised for themselves in that state. I am deeply conflicted about suicide prevention, our assumed right to save someone and their right to make their own choices.

I have struggled to accept, if not understand Mottsu’s choice. He planned his actions so carefully over days, in secret and with determination to attain his goal. If I could have changed the outcome I would have. He knew that, hence the careful and secret planning.

I am glad Demi Moore was able to facilitate an intervention yesterday. For me it is significant that she asked if the youth needed help and he said “yes”. I am less troubled by the incident knowing that a “yes” was given.

I think we need to listen to and respect people with suicidal thoughts before acting or judging.