How best to address the issue of would-be suicides on Yahoo! Answers? Is it better to address or ignore?

Question

Is it better to address or ignore these apparent cries for help?

This is a serious general question for psychologists and armchair psychologists about how best to handle cries for help of potential would-be suicides encountered here on YA.

To set the scenario as one might encounter it:

While traveling at light speed through cyberspace here you come across a striking question related to the overwrought interest in suicide of another human being.
The questioner may challenge you for specific reasons why "not do it."
In extreme cases the questioner may ask for the best methods to accomplish the final deed.
He/she may inquire whether one will "go to hell" for this sin.
Reading the sparse details of the question, if you are a sensitive individual, lots of your buttons are being pushed.
You know little or nothing about the individual asking the question.
Often that individual is new to YA so you can't check their answers and other questions to get more clues about them.

You don't know the person's age. Could be 16 or 60.
You don't know his/her interests.
Or philosophical/religious/spiritual beliefs.
Thanks to Internet anonymity you can't even be sure about gender.
You know nothing about school/job details; social interaction or lack of it; sexual preference or gender identification.
You have no knowledge whether this person has close friends, a loving family, a support system of any type.
You have no idea how serious the individual is.
You don't know whether the whole thing is someone"s bizarre sick joke, perhaps a bored teenager having a little "fun."

In short, you are completely in the dark.

How does one best respond - - - - or not respond - - - - to this? Taking in to account the limitations of communication in this medium, even if "chatting" were allowed.

ketav: If you gave that "positive suggestion" on YA doesn't that Q & A still exist? There should be a record of it on your Home Q & A page on YA.

Answer 1

Even if I don't know the person, I would still respond to the questions of suicide. I would not answer in a negative way. I would do my best to give advice that could really help. If it is a practical joke, that would be unfortunate. But I would still feel obligated to answer the questions, Why? Because another person who may be thinking about suicide may be reading the answers given, and I would want them to read answers that may help them. Even though it may be better for the individual to go to a professional, they are at Y/A. So it is better to help than not to. People need to know that someone out there cares. I have been through so much in my life time. I have even tried to do a few bad things to my self when I was young. Personally I have learned to deal with my problems, with the help of God's word and through experience. I just hope and pray, that I could help one person out there. Even if others may feel it is wrong to do so.

Answer 2

It's precise that there's no approach of figuring out who the character is who questions suicide in lots of methods. And it can be precise that the query is a hoax. However, it is real enjoyable to notice that the Yahoo reply neighborhood, at the complete, offers considerate, handy, form and worrying responses to these participants. Most responses inspire the character to get aid, that is all that may be performed on this sort of discussion board. I believe your query is moot.

Answer 3

The same ? was running in my mind. But while reading some books, I came across that those who are asking are not impulsive to that extend. Giving positive suggestions and ray of hope may change their ideas. Generally I read their history, recently as u said no history, in such cases I was only giving them positive suggesions, Using words like courage, live, life is beautiful, overcome in few minutes, never used negative words. hoping that it cools down their feelings.Suggesting them to go out off computer, meet friends, We can only help them so far as they have posted. If they are able to get solace good. Few months back I gave a positive suggestion to a humanbeing on this and I tried to figure his name again and again. I am not able to fish his name. GOD knows.

Answer 4

Good question and maybe relevant, as I would assume anyone contemplating suicide probably sitting in front of keyboard typing away feelings they have, are in fact expressing themselves thus relieving a lot of pent up anxieties, so I would think other than a cry for help they would not carry it through...

What else can you offer other than get email Addy or similar to have one on one to assist them and work out if genuine or not, cos there are a lot of charlatans out there who prey on sympathisers to get money out of their good natures....just another angle to consider that's all ...cheers

Answer 5

I'm no expert and have wondered the same thing. For the most part, however, I find the YA group to be very compassionate toward these questions. They should be taken very seriously, and I'm glad you put this question out there. I'll be watching for the expert's answers.

Answer 6

i prefer not to answer, as I don't believe that i have the qualifications to even delve into matters of suicide (even though I studies psych for 3 years). It is a difficult situation, for one how do you seperate the real troubled individuals from others who are joking.

Answer 7

Suggest, not to address such sensitive personal issues / concepts, on open forums, because, there is always the risk of giving wrong signals to some other participants.

Answer 8

I think its best to say something like we can't help you and call your local suicide prevention line.
The stark reality is that a person who claims to be suicidal is asking for attention. We can't do it, it needs to be done at home.
The person who IS suicidal will get it done no matter what we do.

Answer 9

As with all things.....I go with my gut feeling....and, try my best to figure out as much as I can about the individual....before deciding whether or not to respond.

Answer 10

If someone is reaching out forelp, which is what every cry of "suicide" is; as caring human beings, we must reach out to them. But we must do it with love and care...