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MNHQ

Polite request from MNHQ

2 replies

RowanMumsnet · 23/10/2014 16:08

Hello all

We've started this thread in Site Stuff about how we should deal with posts by posters who are feeling suicidal, and we'd be really grateful if we could have your input on there (or on here if you'd rather).

[EXTRA BIT ADDED BY MNHQ:] if you don't want to read the mahoosive Site Stuff thread or are feeling a bit vulnerable, the basic question is: how should MNHQ handle posts or threads by posters who are expressing suicidal thoughts - whether that be 'I feel so low, please talk to me', or posts that actually clearly express an intent to commit suicide. Should we leave them run and allow MNers to offer each other support, even in extremis? Or should we close them and DM the poster to direct them towards external sources of help such as the Samaritans?

Thanks
MNHQ Flowers

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MNHQ

RowanMumsnet · 24/10/2014 10:41

Morning all

Thanks very much for your thoughts on here. We will go back and edit this OP to try to give a flavour of what we're asking about.

Re singling out MH: it's happened this way because this particular issue has caused a massive storm on several fronts over the past few days and it really didn't look as though it was going to go away unless we tackled it head-on. We do see why you'd draw comparisons with experience of rape or bereavement but the truth of it is that so far, threads on those topics haven't caused such widespread disquiet. (That's not to say they won't at some point in the future of course.)

That's a really lovely post about Mumsnet modestine, thank you.

And Flowers to those of you who're feeling bruised by the other thread.

We're closing the Site Stuff thread over the weekend but our feeling was we would leave this one running - does that sound about right to you or would you rather we closed this one too?

MNHQ

IonaMumsnet · 31/10/2014 19:36

Evening all,

So we've spoken to Mind and the Samaritans about this and they both suggest that we continue to allow threads in which users talk about feeling very low and having suicidal thoughts but remove threads that are clear statements of intent ('I am going to kill myself'), suicide notes, 'live' suicide threads. ('I have taken an overdose and am waiting for it to take effect'), or anything that involves a description of methods.

Looking at the this thread, this chimes with what the majority of Mumsnetters want us to do also, so henceforth that's what we'll do.

In cases in which we remove threads, we will post to explain to the OP that we are going to delete it, and signpost the Samaritans; PM the OP (supportively, obviously) to signpost the Samaritans; and explain our actions in the deletion message.

In cases where we leave the thread up (the feeling low threads) we will post links to our mental health webguide and to the Samaritans' online and telephone support.

We know there are some who feel extremely strongly that threads that express suicidal intent should be allowed to stand, and we do understand your reasons, but the consensus was so strong on this one - from both MNers and from experts in the field - that it really did feel there was only one way forward.

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