Posted by akc on August 13, 2001, at 10:30:48
In reply to Re: Suicidal Tone » AKC, posted by Elizabeth on August 12, 2001, at 5:45:36
> The main way I deal with those posts is to point out to the person all the holes in their plan. I don't try to convince them not to try; I doubt that such arguments would do any good (I think they might even serve to further alienate the person). I think this works pretty well because not only does it bring them down to earth about the flaws in their plans, but it also draws them into a discussion rather than pushing them away. Even if the topic is rather morbid, it can establish a connection between us. You know?
>
> -elizabethelizabeth,
I think you are right - telling a person not to do something is not the solution. It can just harden his or her resolve. The point should be to try to get them to talk, not to push them a certain direction. Negating their feelings by claiming they are selfish or other statements just closes the door. I have a hard time responding, though, and that is from my own struggle with wanting to go that route. You think that would make it easier for me to empathize, but it doesn't. I know at this moment, it is so real -- I am so struggling with it. But when I posted this message, I hadn't crashed yet -- I just had no clue had to reach out to that person. I wanted to help, but didn't know how. Just telling them if they were suicidal to go to the nearest emergency room or to call a help line -- that is simplistic. This might be their help line. They might have needed something more here. But I also understand what Cam is saying. I'm no counselor (not in this sense, only the legal sense < g >). So how do we help that person to find the road to the hospital or the people who can get them back from the edge? I don't know. I know that my head is too dark right now to get a clear grasp on this.
AKC
poster:akc
thread:1703
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20010718/msgs/1744.html