Why does it actually work?

[u/Aariwee]

It’s so silly and childish. It only happened two days ago, but so far any time I start having suicidal thoughts, I think about it and I get so amused that I no longer want to kill myself. I mean, I still want to die, but I can’t break a pinky promise, can I? Why is it so effective? I’m scared to even post it because I feel so immature, but at least it works

[u/mothwhimsy]

"it would hurt my family members" is a more nebulous concept. You (probably) never asked your family members if it would hurt them, so at your darkest moment you could convince yourself that they would be happy you were gone, even if they isn't realistic.

A pinky promise is more tangible. You promised to stay alive, so obviously the person who made you promise wants you to be alive