I got involved with objectivity and susie this week. My first time. I then started a thread asking for advice and a debrief. Because I wasn't sure it was a good idea for millions of people, including me, to pile in with their own experiences, hang-ups, prejudices, lack of objectivity or experience.
I think, on the whole, this kind of thing is best left to trained professionals. I don't counsel students at work - I send them to the counsellors or the GP for a referral.
But in the absence of someone on here who can do an online job it feels a bit like walking away from someone in need on the street. I think I'd try not to do that either. Just because I don't know first aid (I do actually) is not a reason to walk by.
It's a difficult one. I actually wanted to post because I thought a lot of the responses were pretty judgey of people in a desperate state and not enough 'get help' or 'I'm listening', both of which, surely, are the main things suicidal people need.
I am also honest enough to appreciate there is a kind of vicarious something - not excitement really - but drama about it all. I guess because it is real people, real time, the instinct is to say something to keep them posting. People want to be the one who makes a difference. That isn't such a bad need. But as someone pointed out on my debrief thread, thinking about what happens if it all goes wrong (and they do kill themselves and what one's own needs and responsibilities are, is important. And it is also important for people to be aware they might do more harm if they don't know what they're doing.
I'm not sure I will do it again.