I'm too am contemplating suicide

[tempestuousepulchre]

I mean, really, there's nothing wrong with my life at present. I took my last final of the semester two days ago, I have a caring family, sweet friends and a wonderful and adorable boyfriend. But the thing is that I'm going back to my hometown (Canonsburg) tomorrow. The place offers zero attractions apart from an ice-skating rink and a few fast food restaurants. We dont *even* get to get ripped off by a local movie theatre. So I really only see two options before me right now: 1) endure a slow and pain-filled spiral into insanity or 2) end it all right here and now…I mean, after I go to my ballet and maybe party through the night afterwards as a last hoorah. Your input is not only welcome but also crucial to the determination of certain events that follow in the next 24 or so hours.

[OzBat!]

You act as if insanity is a bad thing!?

[west3man]

I mean, really, there's nothing wrong with my life at present. I took my last final of the semester two days ago, I have a caring family, sweet friends and a wonderful and adorable boyfriend. But the thing is that I'm going back to my hometown (Canonsburg) tomorrow. The place offers zero attractions apart from an ice-skating rink and a few fast food restaurants. We dont *even* get to get ripped off by a local movie theatre. So I really only see two options before me right now: 1) endure a slow and pain-filled spiral into insanity or 2) end it all right here and now…I mean, after I go to my ballet and maybe party through the night afterwards as a last hoorah. Your input is not only welcome but also crucial to the determination of certain events that follow in the next 24 or so hours.1) It's sad that the simple lack of local attractions in makes suicide tempting to you.
2) It's sad that the input of a bunch of strangers is so crucial to the next 24hrs.
3) It's sad that a caring family, sweet friends, and a wonderful and adorable boyfriend are going to think they're just the opposite if and when they find out that you killed yourself.

You apparently saw the other suicide thread, please follow the *constructive* advice in it (i.e. go get therapy) and seek help from people with a better mental health skillset than a bunch of comic book nerds, well-intentioned as we may (or may not) be.

I hope you succeed in finding more value in your life and potential in your future so that you no longer consider throwing it away as casually as I might throw away a bad sandwich.



EDIT: And if you don't like your hometown, move away. If you can't move away, yet, then visit other places when you can.

Don't let a missing movie theater rob your family and friends of their loved-one... or you of them.

[Michael P]

Insanity is way more fun.

[ocelotrevs]

Don't do it. Can't you just stay in the place you are/ move there permanatly.
You don't wanna be known as some wacko that did one of these things, and did themselves in.

It'd also be seen as attention seeking. And that's pretty wank.

[Wesley Dodds]

What's with the suicide thing, is this an new internet meme?

[OzBat!]

I hate internet mimes, they suck.

oh wait. You said "meme". my bad.

[Solaris]

What West said.

[Peter]

I understand what he means though. When you're stuck in a hole -- a physical one, no less -- the complete lack of anything makes you wonder why you should even try looking for something better.

[Winslow]

What West said . . . (good post)

Look for help from your "caring family, sweet friends and a wonderful and adorable boyfriend." To say our words are, "crucial to the determination of certain events that follow in the next 24 or so hours" is not really fair to us (nor your friends and family).

I know what it's like to feel trapped, and I know what it's like to be depressed. But if you step back for second and realize what the consequences of suicide are on those that love and care for you - it pretty quickly becomes a "non-option."

[tempestuousepulchre]

A few things: This thread was supposed to be a light-hearted spin off of the earlier one created by literally exaggerated so that I could share my present conflict concerning the summer. I guess I should have made my comments more over the top so as to show that I was really only joking? I definitely am experiencing some conflict with regards to returning home but it's not nearly enough to make me come to seriouly considering suicide.
With that said, I agree that West's arguement was a good one. I was thinking at least one of those comments when I read the original thread.
One last thing: the thread title is supposed to be "I too am considering suicide". I have this great urge to take an eraser and erase the " 'm" after "I". This is my second night of getting close to no sleep and I feel really strange now so I'm going to do just that...get some sleep.

[Tom]

A few things: This thread was supposed to be a spin off of the earlier one created by literally exaggerated. I guess I should have made my comments more over the top? I definitely am experiencing some conflict with regards to returning home but it's not nearly enough to make me come to seriouly considering suicide.

Then posting this thread was an extraordinarily cynical and selfish thing to do.

[Valmore]

As Winslow said, it's kind of unfair to put the burden of your choice on strangers over the internet. However, I would urge you to reconsider. If you really are contemplating suicide, please talk to someone you know who can help you. I can't help you much, other than to say I think it would be very dumb to throw away what appears to be a very young life - there's too much of it ahead that you can forge out. Just because life seems like a rut now, it doesn't mean it will be later, especially since you have the power to make sure it doesn't.

[Sentry]

ummm, i got it by the way.

[Lone Ranger]

I understand that you are going through a rough patch right now, as many people do as the relative 'safety' of their university years come to an end, but proclaiming that you are suicidal as a joke when you are simply have doubts and misgivings is way over the top.

It not only causes uneeded stress and worry to people who actually care, but it undermines those who might actually be suicidal.

It's this kind of needy melodrama that limits my participation on the Comm board.

Next time try: "Moving Back to My Dipshit Town: Gag Me With a Spoon!"

[Spackling Compound]

Last time this came up, I got the "wtf" response from Tom and some others.

Maybe I'm paranoid but here's what I've heard and read about "suicide" posts.

It seems a while back on mIRC, a kid in a chat room said he was going to kill himself. The other chatters, encouraged him, they told him what pills to take and to drink while doing it and he eventually died due to overdose.
Of course, the entire chat was on the screen when the boy's body was discovered. An investigator got the ISP's of each of the respondent's and contacted them concerning the death of the boy.

There was also a case of a person doing the same on an MSN or similiar forum. Some posters said that the person should not kill themself and others encouraged it. The person committed suicide, the posts were discovered and people were contacted about this person's death.

This could be urban legend, but I for one, think contemplating suicide, murder, pedophilia and other things could be just a bit too weird to keep the boards open and wouldn't want to be hauled in an investigation because "Batfreak420" shot himself and I happened to be on the same board carrying on about a ManWolf revival.

Just wondering.

[Typo Lad]

Then posting this thread was an extraordinarily cynical and selfish thing to do.

Hi! You must be new here. I'm Typo Lad, but my friends call me Morts.

[west3man]

A few things: This thread was supposed to be a light-hearted spin off of the earlier one created by literally exaggerated so that I could share my present conflict concerning the summer. I guess I should have made my comments more over the top so as to show that I was really only joking? I definitely am experiencing some conflict with regards to returning home but it's not nearly enough to make me come to seriouly considering suicide.
With that said, I agree that West's arguement was a good one. I was thinking at least one of those comments when I read the original thread.
One last thing: the thread title is supposed to be "I too am considering suicide". I have this great urge to take an eraser and erase the " 'm" after "I". This is my second night of getting close to no sleep and I feel really strange now so I'm going to do just that...get some sleep.
re: "I guess I should have made my comments more over the top so as to show that I was really only joking?"

Nah. The thread title set the tone. Manipulation through misleading thread titles usually a mild source of irritation, though one that can be amusing. However, doing so with such a serious topic is bad form and among the worst types of emotional manipulation and dishonesty.

ummm, i got it by the way.I picked up on something, but the general tone of the post wasn't consistent with a "joke." Even if it had been, it would've been a bad idea, in my opinion.

[Greg Hatcher]

This could be urban legend, but I for one, think contemplating suicide, murder, pedophilia and other things could be just a bit too weird to keep the boards open and wouldn't want to be hauled in an investigation because "Batfreak420" shot himself and I happened to be on the same board carrying on about a ManWolf revival.

Just wondering.

This IS generally the new policy, something we discussed and firmed up after the last train wreck of a thread. The ONLY reason this thread's still open is because the original poster confessed to being less than serious. Stupidity isn't against the rules here. It's just really goddamned annoying.

This is not a subject we encourage kidding around about. WE HAVE TO take it seriously, for the reasons Spackling mentioned. So all you budding comedians who think it's cool and edgy to do a suicide riff, take it elsewhere. Like some other message-board site.

[west3man]

Last time this came up, I got the "wtf" response from Tom and some others.

Maybe I'm paranoid but here's what I've heard and read about "suicide" posts.

It seems a while back on mIRC, a kid in a chat room said he was going to kill himself. The other chatters, encouraged him, they told him what pills to take and to drink while doing it and he eventually died due to overdose.
Of course, the entire chat was on the screen when the boy's body was discovered. An investigator got the ISP's of each of the respondent's and contacted them concerning the death of the boy.

There was also a case of a person doing the same on an MSN or similiar forum. Some posters said that the person should not kill themself and others encouraged it. The person committed suicide, the posts were discovered and people were contacted about this person's death.

This could be urban legend, but I for one, think contemplating suicide, murder, pedophilia and other things could be just a bit too weird to keep the boards open and wouldn't want to be hauled in an investigation because "Batfreak420" shot himself and I happened to be on the same board carrying on about a ManWolf revival.

Just wondering.What are you wondering, exactly?

If by "too weird to keep the boards open," you mean that such threads should be immediately shut-down, I guess I could understand such a point-of-view, especially if the shutting-down was preceded by links and contact information of credible alternative resources.

It's a toughie, either way, I think.

[Greg Hatcher]

....such threads should be immediately shut-down, I guess I could understand such a point-of-view, especially if the shutting-down was preceded by links and contact information of credible alternative resources.

It's a toughie, either way, I think.

No, it's not. That's the new policy. After last time, we decided screw it, this is not what we do, we aren't qualified. Point them somewhere to someone who is and get it off the boards before some gleeful little socially-retarded psychopath decides it's a hoot to mess with them.

That's how it's going to go from now on, everyone. So find a new riff.

[Spackling Compound]

This IS generally the new policy, something we discussed and firmed up after the last train wreck of a thread. The ONLY reason this thread's still open is because the original poster confessed to being less than serious. Stupidity isn't against the rules here. It's just really goddamned annoying.

This is not a subject we encourage kidding around about. WE HAVE TO take it seriously, for the reasons Spackling mentioned. So all you budding comedians who think it's cool and edgy to do a suicide riff, take it elsewhere. Like some other message-board site.
Ok, so I wasn't imagining things.
It's sort of like the "yelling 'Fire' in a crowded theater" scenario. I'm all about freedom of speech but when you say something that can get ME in trouble for just showing up, I'm agin' it!
Another example, when I went to the airport a while back, a teenager was checking his bags and the check-in lady asked if he had anything to put in overhead and he said something like "nothing but my uzi". She sternly told him that it was against the law to say that and she normally would have to have him arrested but she knows he was kidding but it wasn't funny.
I think when someone posts, "I am kidding but yeah, let's think about me and suicide", it should be instant thread lock.
Same thing, "I want to transport a 17 year old across state lines for sexual purposes" threads. Lock.
The "I want to kill" thread....sort of different but I respect the mods here. If it were, "Sometimes I want to strangle Klansmen" that's ok, I think but "I want to kill my boss"..'nother story.

[Valmore]

Damnit. You mean I wasted being compassionate and caring for nothing?

Just when I thought those Joe Rice lessons i paid for were finally coming in handy... *mutter, mutter*

[Spackling Compound]

No, it's not. That's the new policy. After last time, we decided screw it, this is not what we do, we aren't qualified. Point them somewhere to someone who is and get it off the boards before some gleeful little socially-retarded psychopath decides it's a hoot to mess with them.

That's how it's going to go from now on, everyone. So find a new riff.

I don't even think any of us are qualified to "point" them in a direction.
Thread lock and roll is the way I'd go.

[west3man]

I'm going to go a bit further and share something, from this morning. I'll try to keep it brief.

I checked CBR, early this morning, and saw another suicide thread. Reading the initial post suggested, to me, that it was more likely a real situation than just a poorly-conceived joke. I even saw elements of my own thoughts on the subject and how I've felt about my life, at times. In addition to that, though, I saw some really bad reasoning (this despite the thread-starter having seen the previous thread). It irritated the shit out of me and I walked back and forth through my home spitting rants that went from concern to pissivity (and a bit of internal guilt for the latter). Really, I felt a lot like the folks I criticized in the previous thread for responding to a potential suicide situation with venom. So, I fought the that much harder not to type out my feelings of irritation.

This didn't wreck my life (although I let it make me late for work) and I'm certainly not trying to get brownie points for caring, but I wanted to kind of lay out the emotional roller-coaster that even strangers can experience when someone just mentions their thoughts of suicide. That doesn't mean that anyone who contemplates suicide should clam up so that other folks won't feel bad. It just means that such things should not be taken lightly.

[Valmore]

I don't even think any of us are qualified to "point" them in a direction.
Thread lock and roll is the way I'd go.

I wouldn't go that far - pointing out a decent suicide watch helpline, like Cronin did, doesn't take special skills.

[west3man]

No, it's not. That's the new policy. After last time, we decided screw it, this is not what we do, we aren't qualified. Point them somewhere to someone who is and get it off the boards before some gleeful little socially-retarded psychopath decides it's a hoot to mess with them.

That's how it's going to go from now on, everyone. So find a new riff.
Defining a message board policy doesn't stop a tough situation from being tough, although I'm sure it makes some people's lives a bit easier.

[Spackling Compound]

I'm going to go a bit further and share something, from this morning. I'll try to keep it brief.

I checked CBR, early this morning, and saw another suicide thread. Reading the initial post suggested, to me, that it was more likely a real situation than just a poorly-conceived joke. I even saw elements of my own thoughts on the subject and how I've felt about my life, at times. In addition to that, though, I saw some really bad reasoning (this despite the thread-starter having seen the previous thread). It irritated the shit out of me and I walked back and forth through my home spitting rants that went from concern to pissivity (and a bit of internal guilt for the latter). Really, I felt a lot like the folks I criticized in the previous thread for responding to a potential suicide situation with venom. So, I fought the that much harder not to type out my feelings of irritation.

This didn't wreck my life (although I let it make me late for work) and I'm certainly not trying to get brownie points for caring, but I wanted to kind of lay out the emotional roller-coaster that even strangers can experience when someone just mentions their thoughts of suicide. That doesn't mean that anyone who contemplates suicide should clam up so that other folks won't feel bad. It just means that such things should not be taken lightly.
I don't think anyone is saying this is not a serious and emotional subject that touches the experience of other posters.
What is at stake is that someone could commit suicide because they were either encouraged to do so on CBR by the aforementioned psychopath, or they were going to do it anyway and this was their note: an online community chat board.
Personally, I don't want to be responsible for someone's death and I don't want to be investigated about someone's death in particular someone I don't know. All I know about most people is that they like comics. Not worth the county sheriff pulling up at my door and asking me a few questions on behalf of an ongoing investigation and finding out that I actually said, "Jean Grey has a nice butt" and decided that was worth pursuing too.
I also don't want a 13 year old to ask about having sex with their 30 year old manfriend and suggest what we would do in that situation.
Just not the stuff I want to be involved in.

[OzBat!]

Of course it's a tough situation. But as the last thread showed, some people are gonna try to be heldful, some are going to have a field day messing with people's heads, and others are going to be utterly blase. Any one of these responses, or perhaps any combination of all of these responses, could do far more harm than good. Are you qualified to determine which is which? I know I'm not. Hence, the policy. Direct them via links to people whose job it actually is to help, and then lock the thread.

This isn't policy making for the sake of it; it's the direct results of the last major clusterf*ck of a suicide thread, agreed to at mod and administrator level.

[west3man]

I wouldn't go that far - pointing out a decent suicide watch helpline, like Cronin did, doesn't take special skills.
Exactly.
I'm all for pragmatism, but a drop of compassion may be helpful, too.

[west3man]

I don't think anyone is saying this is not a serious and emotional subject that touches the experience of other posters.
What is at stake is that someone could commit suicide because they were either encouraged to do so on CBR by the aforementioned psychopath, or they were going to do it anyway and this was their note: an online community chat board.
Personally, I don't want to be responsible for someone's death and I don't want to be investigated about someone's death in particular someone I don't know. All I know about most people is that they like comics. Not worth the county sheriff pulling up at my door and asking me a few questions on behalf of an ongoing investigation and finding out that I actually said, "Jean Grey has a nice butt" and decided that was worth pursuing too.
I also don't want a 13 year old to ask about having sex with their 30 year old manfriend and suggest what we would do in that situation.
Just not the stuff I want to be involved in.Actually, someone IS saying this is not a serious topic - the thread-starter.

By making it a joke he or she suggested this wasn't serious. I responded by trying to explain why it shouldn't be taken lightly.

That post wasn't directed at you, at all, although I guess I can see why you might think it was.

[Spackling Compound]

Actually, someone IS saying this is not a serious topic - the thread-starter.

By making it a joke he or she suggested this wasn't serious. I responded by trying to explain why it shouldn't be taken lightly.

That post wasn't directed at you, at all, although I guess I can see why you might think it was.
Ah,k.
I thought you were actually responding to Hatcher's remarks about shutting down these threads and saying to shut these down was discompassionate.

[west3man]

Of course it's a tough situation. But as the last thread showed, some people are gonna try to be heldful, some are going to have a field day messing with people's heads, and others are going to be utterly blase. Any one of these responses, or perhaps any combination of all of these responses, could do far more harm than good. Are you qualified to determine which is which? I know I'm not. Hence, the policy. Direct them via links to people whose job it actually is to help, and then lock the thread.

This isn't policy making for the sake of it; it's the direct results of the last major clusterf*ck of a suicide thread, agreed to at mod and administrator level.If you agree that it's a tough situation, I don't see where the problem is.

I said it was. Greg said it wasn't because of a policy decision. I disagreed with the implied nature and scope of that implied relationship.

[west3man]

Ah,k.
I thought you were actually responding to Hatcher's remarks about shutting down these threads and saying to shut these down was discompassionate.
I wasn't, but I do think that shutting them down without suggesting an alternative falls short of compassionate. That's not what Greg seemed to be suggesting, but that is what you suggested, right?

[i_mmmchocolate]

This seems ridiculous.

[Spackling Compound]

I wasn't, but I do think that shutting them down without suggesting an alternative falls short of compassionate. That's not what Greg seemed to be suggesting, but that is what you suggested, right?
Yes. I wouldn't even address the issue.
It's the individual's call but if there was any hint that there was a relationship between you and the poster, you'd have to take the consequences.

[Greg Hatcher]

This seems ridiculous.


I tend to agree, but since it was my hasty phrasing that set it off, let me be clear. Suicide-threat threads will be locked after we post a link to a helpline, and we probably will do an IP trace to get a location and forward local information as well via e-mail.

What OzBat posted is the reason. I was not belittling the situation -- I was talking about responses HERE AT CBR, and THAT will not be a 'tough' decision because there won't be any deciding involved, we've narrowed it down to one and only one response. That was what I meant, and scrolling up, I can see I should have said it better.

For us, this is the equivalent of pulling a fire alarm and we will treat it that way. And our response to a false alarm is about the same level of irritation as a real fireman's. This is not something to kid around about.

Okay? We left the thread open because there's no real threat here, apparently, but I wanted it on the record how seriously we take this stuff.

[Spackling Compound]

I tend to agree, but since it was my hasty phrasing that set it off, let me be clear. Suicide-threat threads will be locked after we post a link to a helpline, and we probably will do an IP trace to get a location and forward local information as well via e-mail.

What OzBat posted is the reason. I was not belittling the situation -- I was talking about responses HERE AT CBR, and THAT will not be a 'tough' decision because there won't be any deciding involved, we've narrowed it down to one and only one response. That was what I meant, and scrolling up, I can see I should have said it better.

For us, this is the equivalent of pulling a fire alarm and we will treat it that way. And our response to a false alarm is about the same level of irritation as a real fireman's. This is not something to kid around about.

Okay? We left the thread open because there's no real threat here, apparently, but I wanted it on the record how seriously we take this stuff.
I agree 100%.
Can you post this new development in the rules? Just in case some clown wants to put a joke over on us, he/she may want to know that their IP will be sent to the authorities no questions asked.

[west3man]

I agree 100%.
Can you post this new development in the rules? Just in case some clown wants to put a joke over on us, he/she may want to know that their IP will be sent to the authorities no questions asked.
I don't that by, "we probably will do an IP trace to get a location and forward local information as well via e-mail" Greg meant that CBR will call the cops on you if you fake the suicidal funk.

I think he was saying that they'll forward suicide-prevention/counselling resources and alternatives that are in the poster's physical location.

[Greg Hatcher]

That's a very good idea about putting it in "The Rules" sticky and I'm going to recommend it to Brian. I try not to fiddle with his board too much while he's not here.

[west3man]

Oy.

Anyway, for the record, I wasn't criticizing CBR's policy. Just wanted to be clear about that.

Now, I'm gonna skedaddle cuz this is turning into a big ol' interpretive knot.

[Kid Omega]

Luckily there are super-mods around to clamp down on this nonsense.

[Typo Lad]

Wait... knots can be interpretive?

[Slam_Bradley]

Wait... knots can be interpretive?


Only if they've had a liberal arts education.

[Forefinger]

I mean, really, there's nothing wrong with my life at present. I took my last final of the semester two days ago, I have a caring family, sweet friends and a wonderful and adorable boyfriend. But the thing is that I'm going back to my hometown (Canonsburg) tomorrow. The place offers zero attractions apart from an ice-skating rink and a few fast food restaurants. We dont *even* get to get ripped off by a local movie theatre. So I really only see two options before me right now: 1) endure a slow and pain-filled spiral into insanity or 2) end it all right here and now…I mean, after I go to my ballet and maybe party through the night afterwards as a last hoorah. Your input is not only welcome but also crucial to the determination of certain events that follow in the next 24 or so hours.
Don't do it. You have a lot to live for.


SPOON!!!

[tricksterpup]

If you are gonna do it, have the monkey take you out back and put you out of your misery.
http://www.unl.edu/rhames/courses/current/chimpanzee-glock.jpg

[tempestuousepulchre]

I'm really sorry. I never intended this to get so out of hand when I posted. If I wanted to get input from other posters about what they'd do in a similar situation I should have gone about it differently. In retrospect, my being tired, upset, etc shouldn't have given me an excuse to tamper with this topic(especially when people couldn't hear my voice intonations to judge whether I was indeed joking). Honestly, I had heard about the earlier thread from someone else and had only glanced at the initial few posts before leaving the thread. I wasn't aware of the fact that that one had turned into a big deal too. If I had read the rest of the thread, this wouldn't have happened. Again, my not knowing isn't an excuse, I'm just trying to explain that I didn't intentionally try to upset people.

[tricksterpup]

I'm really sorry. I never intended this to get so out of hand when I posted. If I wanted to get input from other posters about what they'd do in a similar situation I should have gone about it differently. In retrospect, my being tired, upset, etc shouldn't have given me an excuse to tamper with this topic(especially when people couldn't hear my voice intonations to judge whether I was indeed joking). Honestly, I had heard about the earlier thread from someone else and had only glanced at the initial few posts before leaving the thread. I wasn't aware of the fact that that one had turned into a big deal too. If I had read the rest of the thread, this wouldn't have happened. Again, my not knowing isn't an excuse, I'm just trying to explain that I didn't intentionally try to upset people.
Its ok, some people are touchy and yes this is a serious topic. But for your delima I suggest going home and looking at things different. Try to do different things, life isnt hell at home. You spent probably 17 years of your life there. It can not be that bad. You probably do not live in a crime ridden area that needs the Guardian Angels.
But maybe next year, try to sublease and find a part time job in the college town you live in. I loved living in Bloomington Indiana during the summer. It was really cool and relaxing but you know what, when it was time for me to leave, I left. I know you have all your new friends there but still you will always need a change in life to spice it up. When you go back this fall you will get all excited all over again.

[Kid Omega]

I'm really sorry. I never intended this to get so out of hand when I posted. If I wanted to get input from other posters about what they'd do in a similar situation I should have gone about it differently. In retrospect, my being tired, upset, etc shouldn't have given me an excuse to tamper with this topic(especially when people couldn't hear my voice intonations to judge whether I was indeed joking). Honestly, I had heard about the earlier thread from someone else and had only glanced at the initial few posts before leaving the thread. I wasn't aware of the fact that that one had turned into a big deal too. If I had read the rest of the thread, this wouldn't have happened. Again, my not knowing isn't an excuse, I'm just trying to explain that I didn't intentionally try to upset people.

Luckily it only reached four pages before the mod....

oh.

Never mind.

[JDogindy]

I have something to say:

Don't kill yourself. Life may suck, and it may never go your way. But that dosen't mean you should end your life so soon. I believe God punishes suicide and considers that you come up when HE calls you. I know, it's hard to go through life, knowing what pitfalls shall come your way. But, just continue pushing through it, and something good may happen.

If you die, each member who posted here will feel like they killed you. Well, I would. Please don't commit suicide.

[Davideaux]

I'm really sorry. I never intended this to get so out of hand when I posted. If I wanted to get input from other posters about what they'd do in a similar situation I should have gone about it differently. In retrospect, my being tired, upset, etc shouldn't have given me an excuse to tamper with this topic(especially when people couldn't hear my voice intonations to judge whether I was indeed joking). Honestly, I had heard about the earlier thread from someone else and had only glanced at the initial few posts before leaving the thread. I wasn't aware of the fact that that one had turned into a big deal too. If I had read the rest of the thread, this wouldn't have happened. Again, my not knowing isn't an excuse, I'm just trying to explain that I didn't intentionally try to upset people.

Don't worry. When I saw your first post, I could tell you were trying to pull off a joke. Unfortunately, it wasn't flying. It was a little cynical but I don't think you were trying to be spiteful or anything.

[Wesley Dodds]

Hi! You must be new here. I'm Typo Lad, but my friends call me Morts.

OK, that was hilarious.

[Spackling Compound]

I have something to say:

Don't kill yourself. Life may suck, and it may never go your way. But that dosen't mean you should end your life so soon. I believe God punishes suicide and considers that you come up when HE calls you. I know, it's hard to go through life, knowing what pitfalls shall come your way. But, just continue pushing through it, and something good may happen.

If you die, each member who posted here will feel like they killed you. Well, I would. Please don't commit suicide.

I must break my "no emoticon" rule for this one:

:eek:

Absoultely J Dog. Someone needs to make a "best of" thread on this guy.

[Forefinger]

I tend to agree, but since it was my hasty phrasing that set it off, let me be clear. Suicide-threat threads will be locked after we post a link to a helpline, and we probably will do an IP trace to get a location and forward local information as well via e-mail.

What OzBat posted is the reason. I was not belittling the situation -- I was talking about responses HERE AT CBR, and THAT will not be a 'tough' decision because there won't be any deciding involved, we've narrowed it down to one and only one response. That was what I meant, and scrolling up, I can see I should have said it better.

For us, this is the equivalent of pulling a fire alarm and we will treat it that way. And our response to a false alarm is about the same level of irritation as a real fireman's. This is not something to kid around about.

Okay? We left the thread open because there's no real threat here, apparently, but I wanted it on the record how seriously we take this stuff.
That is a great policy to have. It ensures that people who are really feeling suicidal get help, and it discourages people from making false claims.

[JeffreyWKramer]

I tend to agree, but since it was my hasty phrasing that set it off, let me be clear. Suicide-threat threads will be locked after we post a link to a helpline, and we probably will do an IP trace to get a location and forward local information as well via e-mail.

What OzBat posted is the reason. I was not belittling the situation -- I was talking about responses HERE AT CBR, and THAT will not be a 'tough' decision because there won't be any deciding involved, we've narrowed it down to one and only one response. That was what I meant, and scrolling up, I can see I should have said it better.

For us, this is the equivalent of pulling a fire alarm and we will treat it that way. And our response to a false alarm is about the same level of irritation as a real fireman's. This is not something to kid around about.

Okay? We left the thread open because there's no real threat here, apparently, but I wanted it on the record how seriously we take this stuff.

As someone who deals with suicidal folk on a regular basis - I had to hospitalize one this morning, in fact - this strikes me as a pretty good policy. If someone wants to do a thread in which they discuss suicide as a topic, that seems valid, IMHO, but if the topic is someone saying he or she is suicidal, or contemplating suicide, the best response is to point the individual in question in the direction of qualified, professional help, then shut the thread and move on.

This is definitely not a joking matter, either.

[Spackling Compound]

As someone who deals with suicidal folk on a regular basis - I had to hospitalize one this morning, in fact - this strikes me as a pretty good policy. If someone wants to do a thread in which they discuss suicide as a topic, that seems valid, IMHO, but if the topic is someone saying he or she is suicidal, or contemplating suicide, the best response is to point the individual in question in the direction of qualified, professional help, then shut the thread and move on.

This is definitely not a joking matter, either.

Would a "second" best or alternative "best" response be just no response? I'm a little 'noid about giving any advice, even good advice, to someone unstable. Even if it is innocently suggesting a link or phone number without commentary.
I agree that it is good to put the information up for professional help or even a suicide hotline but also advocate not touching it, closing the thread as matter of policy and as Hatcher mentioned passing the poster's IP on to some legit source of care.

[JeffreyWKramer]

Would a "second" best or alternative "best" response be just no response?

I don't think "no response" is really the most responsible thing one can do. It's hard to imagine CBR - or anyone - getting in trouble for suggesting someone talking about suicide contact a hotline or professional suicide resource, whereas I can easily imagine a lot of people not feeling very good about themselves should nothing be posted, and such a person end up dead.

I'm a little 'noid about giving any advice, even good advice, to someone unstable. Even if it is innocently suggesting a link or phone number without commentary.

I'll avoid any Noid jokes, and just say, I think the suggestion of a link or phone number is fine and dandy, with no further commentary needed.

I agree that it is good to put the information up for professional help or even a suicide hotline but also advocate not touching it, closing the thread as matter of policy and as Hatcher mentioned passing the poster's IP on to some legit source of care.

I think after the link or such is posted, closing the thread is a good idea. The mod might even say something like "please check out this link or call this number. Now, this thread is closed, per existing board policy. We wish you well, but this board is not the right place to address suicidal thoughts."

I think Greg's idea re: the poster's IP is also a good idea.

[Squirrel]

If this suicide-post thing happens as much as you all are implying, perhaps someone could make a special list or thread containing emergency numbers/helplines, etc. But I think that there's an issue here you guys aren't recognizing: if someone posts on a message board which they have frequented in the past that they are suicidal, they aren't looking for medical advice, counseling, helplines, or anything like that. What they are looking for is SUPPORT from people they like and respect, people they may consider mentors even if they've never spoken directly with them. They just want to know that, no matter how bad their lives suck, the people they look up to want them to live.

I'm generalizing, of course, but this has been my experience. Unfortunately, there really doesn't appear to be a good way to give them what they are looking for without disrupting the entire board. *sigh* Oh well. I tried.

[JeffreyWKramer]

If this suicide-post thing happens as much as you all are implying, perhaps someone could make a special list or thread containing emergency numbers/helplines, etc. But I think that there's an issue here you guys aren't recognizing: if someone posts on a message board which they have frequented in the past that they are suicidal, they aren't looking for medical advice, counseling, helplines, or anything like that. What they are looking for is SUPPORT from people they like and respect, people they may consider mentors even if they've never spoken directly with them. They just want to know that, no matter how bad their lives suck, the people they look up to want them to live.

I'm generalizing, of course, but this has been my experience. Unfortunately, there really doesn't appear to be a good way to give them what they are looking for without disrupting the entire board. *sigh* Oh well. I tried.

I think we all understand that someone posting on this board about legit suicidal thoughts is indeed seeking support. The problem is, while we might all wish to be supportive to such a person, such folk often need more than supportive internet posts. The most supportive thing we can really do under such circumstances is encourage the person to seek out professional help. That's also the most responsible thing to do.

Look at it this way. If someone posted on here that they thought they had cancer, and reported really serious medical symptoms, I think most of us would tell the person to get to a doctor ASAP. Same principle with suicide - suicide is just as serious as cancer, and should be treated as such.

[StoneGold]

How about next time there is a suicide post, we all agree to goad them into it, just so we can look like badasses who have command over life and death itself.

[Spackling Compound]

How about next time there is a suicide post, we all agree to goad them into it, just so we can look like badasses who have command over life and death itself.

I suppose if there aren't enough cadavers during a rush hour entanglement, this may be a close second.

[Wyclefdoug]

Canonsburg, as in Pennsylvania, where kids go to Canon Mac?

If that's where you're from. Drive to Pittsburgh if you need entertainment, and whatever you do, don't kill yourself. A life without non stop attractions is better then no life at all.