to tell you that MNHQ can call the police if they’re worried about you?

[PurpleDaisies]

This is news to me. The official policy is this...

'...on rare occasions where there appears to be a clear need to safeguard the welfare of a Mumsnetter and/or his/her family, it may be necessary to contact relevant authorities'

I am not referencing a specific thread or this will be deleted but I think posters should be aware that this is the case.

[geekymommy]

I wonder to what degree that’s true for those of us who aren’t in the UK?

[Minniemagoo]

Yep,right decision imo.

[tinydancer88]

I think that's a responsible position to take.

[QueenOfTheTofuTree]

UP address? Meant IP address obviously

[continuallychargingmyphone]

It’s a problem because with respect MN do not have a brilliant history where my data is concerned. If said data includes my address - I’m concerned.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

Yep. I knew and would assume they cn give an approximate geographical area - though my IP address sems to be recognised as someonweher about 20 miles away.


Most online chat forums that are moderated in real time seem to have a similar part in their T+Cs.

Why would it bother you? OK, witrh the excpetion of a rogue intern, they aren't going to look on the off chance. And if, like many sensible people, you use a separate email and pseudonym then ther eis no issue!

For someone it could literally be life saving. As MN follow Samaritan guidelines it seems OK to me!

[Drogosnextwife]

I think it's a really good idea but how do they trace the actual person?

[QueenOfTheTofuTree]

I actually attempted suicide late last year. I did post here prior to the attempt about how I was feeling and what I was planning on doing. MNHQ zapped the thread but didn't contact police AFAIK.

[HaventGotAllDay]

The problem is that until today, MN policy was to delete suicide threads because nobody on MN, either as a user, or at HQ is qualified to deal with a person in that situation and could do more harm than good by encouraging them to talk.
Suddenly, not only are threads being left to run, but HQ have taken it upon themselves to send the police to this person's workplace.

Where does it end? Next time a mother is "at the end of my tether with dd" are SS going to be called? Why not?

When someone discovers someone has committed benefit fraud are HQ going to inform the DWP?

Suicide threads have always been deleted ON ADVICE FROM THE SAMARITANS and now we send the police?

There are boundaries, and then there's this freakshow.

[Gingerkittykat]

I think calling the police to do a vulnerable person check on someone who is at imminent risk of harming themselves or others is reasonable.

I have no idea what data they hold though, how would they identify someone's name and address?

[continuallychargingmyphone]

My concern exactly havent

[LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD]

Well I wish they called someone on me before I ate a rather large bag of jellybeans.

My dodgy blood sugar had gone off the scale and I’m having a lie down now.

[UrsulaPandress]

Anyone remember Zombie’s mercy dash?

[RiddleyW]

It was about 4 years ago they intervened with me so it’s not a new thing.

[LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD]

Ah, good old, well missed zombie 🍷. I raise a glass to her.

[GooodMythicalMorning]

Sounds like an excellent idea to me

[JammyGem]

If a person posts on here mentioning that they have suicidal intentions, then most likely that is a final cry for help. What's the point if no-one acts?

I trust MNHQ's judgement and have no problem with the relevant authorities doing a welfare check on a poster if it can help them.

[Pinkyyy]

I'm not sure I know what thread people are talking about, but has the policy on removing threads threatening suicide been changed?

I had no idea that they could contact authorities but I don't feel that it's a bad thing.

[TopBitchoftheWitches]

If you don't like the t&c's, it's simple, don't post.

I like the idea that someone may be able to help me when I might not be able to help myself.

[GucciDay]

'Where does it end? Next time a mother is "at the end of my tether with dd" are SS going to be called? Why not? '

Not comparable really is it. As said on the site stuff thread there's guidelines in place that they follow. I'm not a chat forum expert but I'd guess this is common on all sites.

[Grimbles]

Given the recent data breach I am now concerned about the info MN actually have about its users and who has access to it now.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

MN policy was to delete suicide threads because nobody on MN, either as a user, or at HQ is qualified to deal with a person in that situation and could do more harm than good by encouraging them to talk.
Suddenly, not only are threads being left to run, but HQ have taken it upon themselves to send the police to this person's workplace. That makes more sense. I understand the problem now. I wasn't aware that there had been such a thread left to run.

I suppose it is possible that it was missed, not reported perhaps?!?

[PortiaCastis]

How will the police and MNHQ know where and who I am ?

[werideatdawn]

Yep, knew this and had the police turn up after I posted once. Not on MN but similar. Terrified me at the time but saved my life tbh and afterwards the site admin checked in with me and I was grateful for the intervention.

[Pengrin]

MN have your IP address.

They give this to the police who can use that to find your actual address.