Today I was meeting a 'friend' of mine – he's a member of the same organization as me – in the food court of a mall. Needless to say, he didn't show, but that's not really his fault – he has memory issues due do a combination of his own PTSD, medication, and his age. Unfortunately, I don't have a mobile phone, therefore he wasn't able to contact me after he realized he was supposed to meet me. Anyhow, this isn't really the point, but some background information.

As I was returning to my seat from the trash, I noticed that a lady sitting at a table with a male companion had pulled down her sleeve enough to show him her slashed wrist, which looked like it was done recently .

I went back to my seat a distance away and watched them interact. Her male companion seemed really concerned for her, and it looked like he was having a serious talk about her SI, like scolding her for hurting herself in a loving sort of way.

As I observed them I couldn't help but think I should help her? I have had issues with SI for many, many years, and I hated to know that there was someone else relatively near me who was struggling with it herself. I felt like I should do something. Perhaps knowing that someone else across the room with totally scarred arms might help her to feel less alone, that she can relate to someone?

But at the same time I thought that walking over to a female stranger that struggles with SI in a mall and saying, "Hey, I seen your wrist, I do that too!" wouldn't work out well despite my intention to help her . Usually talking to women I don't know doesn't end well to begin with, so talking about SI to a woman I have never met in a mall I wasn't sure how to approach.

Eventually she and her male companion left and I didn't say anything to her.

It doesn't sit well with me that I did nothing to help her. Even if I am not sure there was anything I could do, knowing that someone had SI and I did nothing to help them feels so wrong .

Did I do the right thing? What should I have done? What would you do?

To the unknown woman in the mall ----->

[unaluna]

Too bad you weren't wearing your psychocentral baseball cap - or you could have given her a card with this website on it - oh and btw your contact info...

[IowaFarmGal]

I think what you did was alright. She had someone with her that was concerned and she didn't know you. I think you would have to know each for anything you say to be received. It shows you are a good person that you wanted to help.

I agree, it show's what a caring person you are, wanting to help and show that you understand.

I also think you did the right thing, as she had a friend with her. Its a deeply personal thing, and she may, even if you understood, not have appreciated you going up to her. At least you can rest easy, knowing that she had a concerned friend with her and he knows what she did. Hopefully he will help her.

[Open Eyes]

I agree with the other posters V, I know your heart was in the right place, but she did have someone with her, and you may have scared her if you approached her.

[hamster-bamster]

You did the right thing under the circumstances, the circumstances being that she was accompanied by someone. If you ever see her alone, by all means approach her. And I am sure she would appreciate it!

[Big Mama]

You did the right thing.

The alternative would be to play blond and stupid. By the way I'm blond not stupid but I often feel that way. You could have said I saw that terrible cut on your arm, if you don't mind me asking what happened.

People often like to talk about themselves. People will sometimes talk to a stranger before a loved one because they know they will never see them again. I am the worlds worst for asking people things like that and finding they just needed someone to talk to. I have set for an hour or more w/ a stranger listened and prayed for them.

We live in a cold and unfriendly world. A kind word goes a long way. You did the right thing to. Sometimes it is odd to be approached by a stranger w/ questions.

I wouldn't worry about it to much. You did good.