Can we have a proper discussion about the way some threads go?

[MissStrawberry]

I am posting after reading an upsetting thread where someone has an unusual problem and are threatening suicide.

I am really embarrassed at the amount of people who are troll hunting, goading and generally acting like they know this is a piss take and are posting accordingly.

We are all meant to be adults but the posters mentioned are acting like immature idiots to my mind.

While I accept no one can make someone do anything they don't want too, it is proven that on line bullying can make someone tip over the edge and take their own life.

What is this was your child, your husband, your wife, your mother, your friend, your child's friend? Wouldn't you want them to be helped, guided and supported?

It does not matter to you if this person is genuine or not but if they are and they die what then if it turns out it is your child, your sister, your neighbour?

If you post a genuine reply on a difficult thread and it is someone taking the piss it does not matter. It you post a genuine reply on a thread that someone is piss taking on it could help someone else.

If you post a cruel or goading thread on a thread that is genuine then you could be adding to their already fragile situation and while you will move on and not give it a second thought it really could mean the end for someone else.

I expect plenty of, it is their own choice, no one can make anyone do anything they don't want too, there must be other issues, etc etc etc but if you are that dismissive and care so little why post at all?

Mental health is not understood by so many people. Even now people say pull yourself together and think you choose to be depressed. Emotional problems the same but while there are supposed adults posting such disgraceful crap I fear for everyone who suffers now and in the future.

One day your child could be posting for help. How would you feel if they were ripped to shreds?

MNHQ - I think you need to have someone permanently on a thread like that as there are many posts on that particular thread that really should be have gone hours ago.

Trolling is against the rules ,doesn't seem to stop them though

When I see people getting sucked in by an obvious troll I want to post 'Ffs are you stupid?

I report,thread stays, I go and bang my head against the wall.

Troll hunters don't damage the site, trolls do, but that's the internet for you.

I think the ONLY response if you come across some one reportedly suicidal is to refer them to rl help, and report so MNHQ are aware.

And what Artex said. this thread already upset many people. This is a talk board on the internet. I might sound harsh but if you make it clear, no begging threads/no suicide threads - we are not qualified for that.....they will go.

Actually I thought that MN said they would pull posts that threatened suicide (while directing the OP to real-life help) after an instance a few years ago.

And the flip side of the copingberyquietly story is the MNer who was identified and rushed to hospital in an ambulance.

I agree with TRinityRhino who wrote ont he other thread:

I swear the troll hunting is getting beyong a joke

just like we are free to post what we want so is everyone else

its like some people think its their own front room

dont take so much offense about what people are posting

if he needs help we can help him

if hes just being a twat then no harm done surely

And with DionetheDiabolist:

I would rather see the troll hunters banned. They disrupt many threads and on this one may have been dangerous.

And with BeerTricks:

It doesn't matter if a poster gets a ban after taking the piss, being cruel or Trollhunting because to a vulnerable person the damage is already done - they've seen that post and it's too late.

And this too:

The trollhunters on that thread reminded me of a piece in the news a while ago where people shouted abuse at someone threatening to jump off a building.

YOU personally should not take the responsibility of trying to help someone who is suicidal though. Never ever. Samaritans/RL help should be the advice. Not you getting involved and saying something motivational.

And I think people who have been here a while recognise certain trolls the minute they post. they are trying to protect vulnerable posters, not hurt people.

What is very unclear is whether MNHQ tacitly welcome the fact that "people who have been here a while recognise certain trolls the minute they post" and therefore do a nod and a wink, and a TSSDNCOP, at the troll hunting.

They don't Ternudjin.

troll hunting is frowned upon in all its forms. MN advice is leave the thread and report. Been there/banned.

beertricks, I agree, anyone with a professional knowledge would advise rl support. This is the internet. people seem to imbue it with special powers, when in reality many people just love a bit of someone elses drama.

Can I ask a stupid question or two? What exactly is a troll and what is troll hunting? Relative newcomer to this.How do,you spot a troll ?

a troll is someone who makes up a tale in order to elicit response. They vary - funny, bereavement, emotional, controversial subject. some of them can be very damaging indeed, others just annoying. Troll hunters are those that spot the post as such on thread. this is not allowed.

spot the poster - that should say

Of course harm is done. Anybody saying otherwise just hasn't seen the posts when a long running troll is unmasked. I've been here 6 years. I HAVE seen those posts - people who've cried about their dead baby or abusive marriage with somebody who was just sucking them dry. It's sickening.

With regard to suicide posts - this forum can't help those people other than to point in the direction of RL help. Talking and medical help in RL saves lives. Reliance on mumsnet will not.
The current running thread should have been deleted long ago. It IS doing harm - and not against the OP.

Artex is right btw - I've reported lots of stuff with all sorts of errr blunt comments and they're terribly nice about it.