Tags
crisis, emergency, help, mental health, mental illness, mentally ill, psychosis, psychotic, self harm, suicidal, suicidal ideation, wellness
I follow a lot of blogs. I follow some cooking blogs, travel blogs, fashion blogs, comic blogs, sarcastic blogs, and hundreds of mental health blogs.
Because I follow many mental health blogs I often read about people’s suicidal thoughts or ideation, and occasionally I read a post by someone who is clearly in a psychiatric crisis (probably psychotic).
I do not know what to do when I read these types of posts. If someone says they wish they were dead, or they are having a hard time not hurting themselves, what is the best way to respond? If someone clearly needs to get to a doctor (psychosis) what can we do?
These types of posts alarm me. I would hate to be the kind of person who says someone is just looking for attention and then have that person follow through on their feelings.
As fellow bloggers what can we do if someone is in trouble? Is there a way to contact WordPress? Would WordPress be able to do anything?
The anonymity of the Internet is great until there is a crisis and you have no idea who the person is typing out a help signal.
With the rate of suicide in this country, a cry for help isn’t something I want to ignore, and neither is someone who has become actively psychotic and may be at risk to themselves or others.
I feel like there are many cries that go out into the blogosphere unanswered; I wish there were a way to answer those calls in a helpful way.
If you have any suggestions, please leave them in the comment section. This situation has me concerned and stumped.
Have you seen these types of posts? What do you do?
I usually try to respond with something not judgemental. It can really help if the person can see there are people who care. And people who understand. Sometimes giving advice can help too, but I’m careful with that. Telling a person to look for help from a therapist (for example) can make it worse if that person has negative experiences with therapists. But for some it helps, because at that time they didn’t think about this way to hopefully solve issues.
It’s very difficult, but I think it’s important people can express their cry for help here and that others can respond. Hopefully it will help the person who is in such a bad place at that time. Cropping it up is never good.. And the anonimity can make the step easier for them, but harder for helpers.
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Good advice. I find those posts upsetting because I can’t figure out the level of crisis – serious or just venting. You know what I mean?
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I do. Sometimes through comments you can find out more about it and start a conversation. I think it’s better to take it seriously and then it might turn out the person wasn’t in such a bad place.
Although I wouldn’t call the police or crisis intervention teams. But that’s also because I heard a lot of negative stories and I wouldn’t want to be ‘locked away’ because of suicidal tendencies either. It would make them worse if I had them.
But if possible maybe inform someone close to that person, who knows how to handle that kind of information. Or a GP, but only when I really know that person.
Online you can maybe tell the person about some hotlines and other tips you can find online. Usually venting or talking about it eventually makes the suicidial tendencies less. Because you usually can’t think clearly and are overwhelmed by negativity. Although people saying to ‘just cheer up’ or anything like that only make it worse, in my opinion.
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Very good advice. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
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that is a great idea.
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I thought so, too.
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I say whatever I honestly think and feel, and I remember the limitations of cyberspace. There is, I think, a way of notifying wp of posts like that if you feel they need intervention.
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Thanks for your reply!
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A hard one for sure. Listening and providing your support could be what someone needs at the time. Starting a conversation could help to determine seriousness of situation but it is hard online to determine. I have no idea where to turn online to help. I look forward to other commenters who may know.
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I know, it is a serious problem.
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You pose an excellent question.
Here’s a great resource about the topic that is very helpful from SAMHSA: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/gethelp/online.aspx
Here’s an excellent blog post about the subject as it relates to Facebook. http://natashatracy.com/mental-illness-issues/suicide/person-threatens-suicide-facebook/
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Thank you for posting these links!
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I know twitter has a way to report concerns, I’d be interested to know if wordpress does (as a commenter mentioned above)… I might have to go exploring.
That being said, I was in that situation once, not knowing what to do. I did what my gut told me to do. I thought about what I would hope someone would do if it was someone close to me who was making such statements. Was it the right decision? maybe, maybe not. But I went with it and I’m glad I did.
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Yes, it is hard to know what to do. It doesn’t come up every day, but it comes up often enough to be a major concern.
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A tough question to answer. Is distressing and you want to feel like you want to help but you are doing the best thing by supporting that person in the blogging world. You can’t be a martyr and save everyone. People do need find some fight to go on. I am not sure about the whole word press thing but I guess it is worth investigating
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It is a tough question to answer. I wouldn’t want to ignore someone’s attempt at getting help.
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I have actually turned away from following some blogs because of being afraid of that happening and my being upset and without recourse! In my work as a therapist, I hear a lot of thoughts of suicide and have had to coax or force people to go to the hospital. I get the willies when I think if being surprised by that in my off hours. That may be weak or selfish or cowardly but I just don’t think I could manage it.
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No, if you have to deal with those difficult situations all day, it is not a surprise that you need a break from it on your off hours.
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Oh I am glad you wrote this. Many times, I see posts bordering in what you call “Psychiatric crisis” and I wonder how I can help. Should I comment? What can I say? What do I say?! All these thoughts run through my mind. Thanks for airing what many of us have been thinking of.
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Me, too! It is upsetting and I worry.
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Hello -I’ve just read your post on mental health issues and what to do when reading posts from those who are clearly seeking help for their suicidal thoughts. I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety on and off for thirty years, but two years ago had a crisis and met a brilliant mental health team who have, quite literally, cured me with the right treatment.
I read a lot of mental health posts too, and often encounter those with suicidal thoughts. If I can respond, I do, otherwise, sadly, there is little you can do about it. Yes, these people are obviously seeking help, but they need to go to the right places. If those posts upset you, I would stop reading them, and only respond to those you know you can contact.
Just my thoughts anyway.
Jo UK
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Thanks for your input! 🙂
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Hello – Me again. If you do respond to posts from suicidal people, my suggestion is to put them onto Mind, a mental health association, or Depression Alliance. There are several mental health groups out there, so I would suggest they contact one. Hope this helps.
Jo UK
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Thank you for your suggestions! 🙂
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That’s a difficult one! I know for myself, when I come across a blogger in crisis (maybe not suicidal, but very depressed) I give them my email address and ask them to write to me at my email. I think talking to them off the blogosphere would be the right step because you can better help them that way.
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That is supportive and kind of you!!! 🙂
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I haven’t had to do that very much.
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I’ve only seen one blog post where I was concerned about someone…But since I work in a pysch hospital, I have a little experience…I suggest writing something like: I’m concerned about you…really concerned…I know it doesn’t seem like it, but it does eventually get better…please, call someone or go to a hospital or call 911 and tell them what’s going on…your life matters.
So now you’ve voiced your concern…you gave a suggestion…and because there is no way to truly contact that person, you then need to let it go…It’s hard to do but I think that’s all we can do…I also like a few of the other suggestions above…
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Thanks for the good advice!
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I think for me, it would depend on the actual post. I have written about suicidal thoughts, because I have them but with me its just thoughts I am no longer in the position where I would actually do them, but when I have seen one where I do think there is a danger, I ask them to call the emergency services or the samartians and give my email address if they want to talk.
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I agree, it does depend on the post. The suggestions here have all been good ones. Thanks!
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