Instead of difficult mental health threads being deleted...

[HappyCup]

Can’t they be deleted publicly but still visible for just the OP? (If they have to be deleted.)

Then the OP can still see all the helpful comments and not just have the rug pulled out from under them suddenly when they’re already struggling with thoughts of suicide?

Maybe being able to see a few people saying helpful things like “I’ve been where you are and here is what I did to get better...” will help? It’s a small chance but isn’t it worth it?

Hello @HappyCup thank you and thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts here. Previous posters are correct in that our policy on suicide and self-harm was developed following consultation with The Samaritans and MIND. There are a few reasons why we'll take down threads that detail method, or clear intent: there is a wide body of research that shows online descriptions of suicide can influence suicidal behaviour; MNers should not be put in a position where they feel responsible for another poster; and we have no way to check the qualifications of anyone giving advice.

We always contact an OP off the boards in these circumstances with information on where they can get immediate support and we have a safeguarding procedure in place for when we think someone is at risk of immediate harm.

Many of you have told us that you disliked 'we don't allow threads like this' (when we remove a thread) and so we've changed this to: 'we don't allow threads which detail methods of self harm and suicide on Mumsnet'.

If you've any more questions or concerns, please get in touch - thank you.

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That sounds like a good change of phrasing

The samaritans are worse than useless though for people with serious mental health issues though.

I reported one yesterday (nothing to do with wills). It was absolutely horrific. I reported because I hoped MN had protocols in place for posts like this. No poster could have helped it was that bad. I also couldn't work out whether it was a true poster or a troll which was another reason to report.

If it was real, I really hope you managed to get the right sort of help

As someone who has just cremated their children's father after he took his own life, I’m horrified by this. Particularly so as it was completely unexpected and his final note to himself said there wasn’t a single person he could speak to as he believed he would be judged, wrongly of course!

He would never have called the Samaritans, and having been suicidal myself in the past neither would I have, but I did get MH support here on mumsnet at the time. Anonymous forums like this can be a lifeline to those needing support and to know others have came through it.

I'm so sorry for your loss @SurvivingTheGame, that must be so, so difficult for both you and your children.

The thread that caused this one was one on AIBU I think, where the OP suddenly mentioned suicide out of nowhere. They said the many negative posts from people there had made them decide to do it, and were asking about making wills etc, while getting more wound up.

I think that's a bit different from someone coming on saying they feel suicidal and need help - I've seen the latter sort of threads stick around.