>>Oops. Can't say things like that here! Geez! why the heck not? Can we get an non-family rated section for it?

I'm still pretty new here and not sure how far the policy extends. Although personally I like the style and personalities at this forum, I have participated in other forums where there are no restrictions against the "s" word... not actually no restrictions, they are allowed to discuss them with specific disclaimers. Usually either there is a separate section for those or specific posts must be marked as such.

I believe the concern isn't the discussion of the topic as much as the concern that it could trigger someone else reading, who is fighting such thoughts on their own, into a worse state. It seems that it is not so much the word that is "monitored" as is the use and context of it. Posts that are very dark and emotional are the ones that get marked as "triggers", this way people can offer support and discuss their feelings but people who are in danger themselves can avoid those posts.

So I wonder here if it is the word itself that is not allowed, or is it only talking about it in an emotional context that might act as a trigger to someone else? Of course the problem there would be where to draw the line.

My guess is that there might be legitimate liability issues involved, especially since this board is run by a doctor but the doctor doesn't specifically monitor the messages here and does not act in an advisory context... he merely provides this space as a "service" to allow us to "meet". If someone were to be triggered by something here and then afterward harmed themselves, there might be some liability claimed against the forum. I'd rather have the opportunity to discuss my depression and respect the forum's right to protect itself, than to not have this forum available at all.

If you think your expression is too limited here please pm me and I can recommend another board. I would hope that you would continue to post here as well though, if nothing else but for my sake. I think bottom line is that a board like this won't serve everyone's needs but other options are available to explore. Not much is "one size fits all" in this world.

-- The world is what we make of it --
-- Dave
-- <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.idexter.com>http://www.idexter.com</A>