Posted by Dr. Bob on January 26, 2007, at 7:53:57
In reply to Re: SOS situations - let's discuss I second this.. » one woman cine, posted by Gee on January 25, 2007, at 13:27:20
> We care, we tell them we care, we urge them to get help. And how do we best respond when the suicidal talk continues?
>
> CSOne option would be just to continue to tell them you care and to urge them to get help. But (Zen, thanks for the link to the FAQ):
> it would not, IMHO, be appropriate to reply angrily
>
> noa--
> I am uncomfortable when put into a potentially fatal situation without knowing what to do.
>
> one woman cineI think it's important to feel empowered to disengage from uncomfortable situations. Quotes in the FAQ:
> the behavior also does have the potential to anger me, maybe because it seriously pushes my own helplessness buttons. And break my heart though it might, I might have to withdraw from a discussion if this happens because I can't let my own inner resources be depleted.
>
> noa> Those that are not up to supporting suicidal posters need to recognize their own needs and take care of themselves.
>
> zenhussy--
> on here, we do not have the option of calling EMS or the police
>
> GeeI think it's important to accept that a disadvantage here is that it's not possible to help others "directly". Quotes in the FAQ:
> people can ... get a lot of support here, but it will never be the kind of support that will keep them safe when they cannot keep themselves safe.
>
> noa> My own decision about what to do to protect myself is to realize my limitations. There are only a very few people here who I have any possibility of physically helping.
>
> Dinah(This turns out also to be an advantage: because it's not possible to hurt others directly, either, it's safer.)
As mentioned above, however, there can be exceptions. If one poster told another where they lived, or how to contact their psychiatrist, they would give that poster the power to help them directly. And to hurt them directly, too, so the 1st poster would need to trust the 2nd. And with power comes responsibility, so the 2nd poster would need to be willing to accept that.
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:726159
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20070123/msgs/726622.html