Is this what you were intending to convey? It's just that most people who are hurt and crying out for help do actually need some sort of help. I would suggest that in a lot of cases when people make public posts about leaving, they feel as though their feelings and concerns have been pretty effectively invalidated. If a person feels like that, it's not really unreasonable to seek a sense of validation from anyone and everyone possible.

I am not every single individual who posts such a thing. I do think the purpose of the actions (to counter the feeling of invalidation by seeking validation from those who may not be "obligated" by friendship to do so) are likely rarely a conscious act.

I also know that in my personal experience, if I feel invalidated and then following that my efforts to seek validation are just completely shutdown it can be very very painful and create a much bigger issue- I mean at that point the overwhelming feeling can get to "no one is listening, my feelings don't matter". It creates the feeling that seeking support and help might actually be completely futile.

It is a very dark and scary place to be. But I am just oneperson, and I only know my experience. I couldn't possibly suggest I speak for every one.