Have you experienced this process? There is a very good point why everyone has learned the "get help" mantra. There is only one suicide you need to do, and game is over. If that can be averted with quick intervention (as often is the case) then all the better.

Interventions cannot help all suicidal persons, but being acutely suicidal means one should get help _now_. It's exactly the same thing as a with a stroke or other imminent medical emergency.