Posted by ramsea on November 28, 2003, at 13:40:12
In reply to Re: suicidal ideatin, posted by Dinah on November 28, 2003, at 8:39:11
Good points. Thanks Lar for the info. I only use the word "repurcussions" in a limited way, i.e., I agree the word should not be used to inform posters of anything. It does sound punitive.
I do believe posters need clear statements of what can happen when using the boards. Dr. Bob does state that posters need to be aware of their situation as posters--I was glad to see his advisements. I was just wondering if it could be more clear when it comes to issues like discussing suicide.
I've come across some seriously upset net users who have had, well---repurcussions. They stated suicidal ideas in one of the mental health groups and then some group member or other apparently has gone to some trouble to secure emergency services for them. In the 3 or 4 cases I've come across through the years of surfing websites, the posters were very distressed about having been "turned in". They hadn't expected anything like that to happen.
It's no excuse I know, but some of us tend to forget how public the boards and sites really are. One super aspect about Dr. Bob's approach is that he constantly reminds group members that this is a very public place. Still, it's pretty easy to get lured into private discussions. We may think we're just expressing ourselves as people might in a rural bar after a few too many beers, and say stupid, out of character things, or act overdramatically.
It's frighteningly easy to make a major mistake that could have serious effects on our lives. Like drawing several police cars and ambulances at the door, or being hospitalized against our will. All of this when really the person was only momentarily out of it, as most people do get from time to time.
Whether the group has a separate board for suicidal problems or not is really not important to me. I would leave that to those of you who know more about how this site functions. I do think it should be very clear what may happen--or not---to posters who cry out for help.
poster:ramsea
thread:281008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20031120/msgs/284768.html