Here you can find some tips of how to deal with that:

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/talking_about_suicide.html
http://www.howcast.com/guides/1187-How-To-Talk-Someone-Out-Of-Suicide?rev=1

- You could probably find more. I'd thought that knowledge is the answer. The more you know the better you'll know how to react. Follow those tips.  

Sometimes when people talk about suicide they don't actually plan to do it, they're just really depressed. Do you think that perhaps he might have some sort of mental issue such as depression?  

He told you that he wouldn't see a professional, but perhaps he could talk to you for the meanwhile. It's really important that he haves as much support as possible; but in the long run if he's really depressed he's going to need to see a professional  even if that's against this will.

I think that perhaps if you think that he could  do something that could put his life in danger you should talk with his family;  although that could mean him not talking to you for a while, it's better to be safe than sorry, you know?   - I'd rather have him mad than doing somehting life threatening.  

Good Luck..

My inbox is open if you need to talk.

Post edited at 3:58 pm on June 8, 2008 by Stand Up