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Originally Posted by nbritton
Someone should add the phone number to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline into the "No suicidal posts" message above, the number is 1-800-273-8255.
The root of the issue is psychcentral's legal liability. The company can't endorse the use of their resources as a suicide prevention tool because it makes them liable. The forums are not staffed with professionals who are equipped to deal with a person who is suicidal. If the company implied that forum members were capable of dealing with suicidal behavior some serious crap would hit the fan if someone die as a result of our nonfeasance, misfeasance, or possibly even intentional malfeasance towards someone we might not like.
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This is a good theory, but if that were the case than realistically PC would have to account for the potential of people intent on harming themselves and provide referral.
If PC is held accountable for what behavior they can forsee, than that would include having someone post out of desperation and having the worst happen because there was no information provided. As is? They haven't exactly covered their butts entirely.
Simply stating a preference for post type doesn't actually indicate a disclaimer of no responsibility.
To be honest?
I think PC is now set up in an interesting situation where they COULD be held liable because of the way the issue of suicidal behavior/intentions is dealt with. The situation is much more realistic than if they were more specific as to the reason.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nbritton
Considering the aforementioned, I feel that posting suicidal messages here is attention seeking behavior and that for all intents and purposes it's a form of emotional blackmail.
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Also, legitimately desperate people do things without thinking their actions through all the time. That doesn't mean it is "emotional blackmail". Blanket invalidating statements are neither true nor supportive.