Verified answer

no ... if someone wants to kill themselves, they dont draw up that much drama

It can work, for some people who are "on the fence"---you'll typically ask the individual to contract for their own safety for a given period of time, say 24-48 hours. If he/she is thinking about self-harm, there's an agreement that no action will be taken until the therapist is called (or they've talked to a hotline, or similar).

Many people who are depressed and considering suicide are ambivalent about it; sometimes, if you can get them to hang on a little longer (or wait till the antidepressants kick in!), you can avoid a crisis.

Obviously, this "no-suicide" agreement isn't going to work too effectively with someone who's really psychotically involved; it's also not too dependable with substance abusers ***who are still using and not fighting to stay clean*** (drinkers and druggers are unpredictable; have worked with enough of them over the years). Wouldn't give it a lot of faith, either, if working with a highly manipulative person (think "borderline personality disorder"). But it can---and has---worked.