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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Miller on December 22, 2002, at 20:32:45
Dr. Bob,
I am relatively new to this site. If there is a poster that has clearly expressed a desire to commit suicide, will this board intervene? If you think someone is in danger of causing true harm, will you notify anyone?
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 23, 2002, at 17:28:04
In reply to Dr. Bob: Question, please., posted by Miller on December 22, 2002, at 20:32:45
> I am relatively new to this site. If there is a poster that has clearly expressed a desire to commit suicide, will this board intervene? If you think someone is in danger of causing true harm, will you notify anyone?
(1) I'm confident that other posters would respond supportively, but that may not be the kind of "intervention" you had in mind. (2) It can be hard to know where to draw the line, but if I thought I could keep someone from killing themselves, I'd do what I could.
Bob
Posted by Miller on December 23, 2002, at 19:21:34
In reply to Re: desire to commit suicide, posted by Dr. Bob on December 23, 2002, at 17:28:04
Thank you for answering my questions. You are correct in that I was not referring to other posters as intervention. I will not press the issue in respect for your policies and proceedures. I appreciate the response.
-Miller
Posted by OddipusRex on December 29, 2002, at 13:28:34
In reply to Re: desire to commit suicide, posted by Dr. Bob on December 23, 2002, at 17:28:04
1.If a person is threatening to kill himself would you be required to report him? You are usually the only person with any way of identifying the individual. Wouldn't threatening suicide be evidence of at least temporary mental disability and so covered by mandated reporter statutes?
2.What if a poster reports neglecting or endangering a child because of MI or substance abuse? Would you be required to report it?
3.Have you talked to a lawyer about your potential liability for NOT actively intervening?
Again it seems like you would have increased responsibility to intervene because you identify yourself as an MD and because you alone have access to information that might identify the poster if necessary.
Legal questions aside I think you have a moral responsibility and I commend your willingness to keep someone from killing himself. I agree knowing whether or not you could might be hard to decide. I'd hope you would err on the side of life.
> > (1) I'm confident that other posters would respond supportively, but that may not be the kind of "intervention" you had in mind. (2) It can be hard to know where to draw the line, but if I thought I could keep someone from killing themselves, I'd do what I could.
>
> Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 29, 2002, at 14:31:35
In reply to Bob are you a mandated reporter? » Dr. Bob, posted by OddipusRex on December 29, 2002, at 13:28:34
> Legal questions aside I think you have a moral responsibility
The thing about reporting someone is, it can be hard to do if you don't know very much about them...
Bob
Posted by bookgurl99 on January 26, 2003, at 2:51:13
In reply to Bob are you a mandated reporter? » Dr. Bob, posted by OddipusRex on December 29, 2002, at 13:28:34
Posted by shar on January 26, 2003, at 23:17:11
In reply to I wd never talk abt suicide if threat was reported (nm), posted by bookgurl99 on January 26, 2003, at 2:51:13
Posted by Luka62 on February 4, 2003, at 12:06:18
In reply to Ditto what BookGurl said^^^ (nm), posted by shar on January 26, 2003, at 23:17:11
I was wondering the past 2 days if there was a place for discussing suicidal ideations. My therapist expects me to tell him if I have a hard time controlling the impulses, and I thought it might me helpful to talk to others who go thru the same thing.
Posted by Dinah on February 4, 2003, at 14:11:13
In reply to Re: Ditto what BookGurl said^^^ » shar, posted by Luka62 on February 4, 2003, at 12:06:18
Social Babble would be a perfectly acceptable place to talk about ideation. I've done it myself, although I try to make sure that I'm clear when it's ideation without intent so that people aren't worried more than necessary. I find that it does help to talk about it. The thoughts seem to gain power with silence.
There is an occasional negative reaction, but the majority of people understand that suicidal ideation is part of the illness. And Dr. Bob doesn't turn people in, to my knowledge, for speaking about suicidal thoughts.
Posted by shar on February 4, 2003, at 18:40:50
In reply to Re: Ditto what BookGurl said^^^ » Luka62, posted by Dinah on February 4, 2003, at 14:11:13
I wasn't sure about that. Isn't there sort of a 'rule' (as much as we have 'rules' here) about not talking about methods?
Shar
Posted by Dinah on February 4, 2003, at 19:08:02
In reply to Thanks, Dinah, posted by shar on February 4, 2003, at 18:40:50
But I think the only "rule" is to not give specific instructions on how to commit suicide or be specific enough that it could be considered instructions. And not to encourage suicide?
Dr. Bob?
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 5, 2003, at 20:39:58
In reply to Re: Maybe Dr. Bob could clarify » shar, posted by Dinah on February 4, 2003, at 19:08:02
This is the end of the thread.
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