Suicide Prevention Team

[Not Yellow Diamond 925]

I actually think this is something should be addressed, I'm not sure if we have this... but the reason I mention this is...

 

Recently a member was banned for making an explicit suicide threat, or so I was told by a staff member. And that staff member told me due to the fact I was concerned for this indiviual. Like really concerned

 

Well, i disagree with the ban. I get it, don't post explicit content but this person could be under some serious distress. 

 

Now, to also mention this person also had duplicate accounts and did something else wrong, can't remember what exactly but... If this person was, in fact, dealing with suicide and depression they don't need to be pushed away and shut out. I, personally think there should be people to help those kinds of people. Do we have people for that? 

[SkullcandyPegasus 603]

Previously, members have tried to create help groups, but the threads have been closed. If it is an option, I think a support group could be great. From said group, members would hopefully connect with one or two individuals who could further provide one on one support. If a support group is allowed however, there is currently the start of a support group on mlp forums (which has been inactive due to priorly mentioned reasons) and a skype group as well. I'd be happy to link to both groups if it will be allowed.

[Not Yellow Diamond 925]

 

 

I have seen many users recommend this. The problem is, this is not a website for such things.    This is a forum; not a therapist's office. People who feel suicidal or feel they may self-harm should seek professional help. These forums cannot be responsible for an individual's choices should they choose to take their own life or hurt themselves.

 

I think that is a great point. And I agree 100%

 

I just feel personally for these people. I truly do and although it is their problem, having an open, pursuing support thread could be the difference between life and death for those people. By banning them, they are pushed away from potential help because I know plenty of people who would help these people. And I turning away someone like that is very destructive. At least listen, at the very listen. Or have a chat with them. I don't know but to outright ban them and remove them is not being benficial to them. Probably different due to circumstances but these people are in fragile states and should be treated with delicacy. My personal view. 

 

I'm not saying it has to be staff either. Maybe put out something for people, and they could help on their own terms, if they are interested. 

 

I know there is life advice but as I've heard from members. Life advice, isn't all too effective... most suicide victims need to be reached out to. It isn't always a vice versa.

[Jeric 46,852]

I am unaware of any member being banned for posting a suicide status update with one exception, one member did that and then publicly said it was a joke ... which at the time we did not find amusing at all. We ended up reversing his ban when he admitted it was not joke. I welcome anyone to show me when we banned a member for posting suicidal thoughts. There are other options available to us and banning for that reason is so extraordinary ... we have not done it in my time here. Please PM me with any details that you may have. 

 

As far as an official or endorsed suicide prevention team: while I applaud your thoughts, untrained professionals handling suicidal thoughts are very dangerous. Full disclosure, my father committed suicide due to an illness related depression, and my wife is a Psy. D who lives and breaths this. I am more familiar than most laypersons on the issue of depression and suicide. It is not a good idea to have a suicide prevention team. We do provide resources to anyone in need, and some of us will talk to the member at length as a friend (something I have done personally). 

 

Again your heart is in the right place, but this is something that will not be allowed. I am locking this topic.