Is there a protocol if you feel someone is in such dire straights that they are in danger of hurting themselves? Is there a way to notify someone?
I know we are mostly anonymous-- some have made connections, I have not made any personal connections where I know more than what is posted. But there are times (and I know we all feel this) that I have felt worried for posters safety.
Is there a protocol to help? or is that the safety and danger of an online board or this nature?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
We ran into this a few weeks ago. There is nothing we can do unless we have a phone number or an address. If the person who is in danger doesn't have someone here that has their phone number, then we can't help them.
Perhaps this is a lesson for all of us!
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
I am a moderator of several forums, but one in particular on Facebook is called Lymie 24/7 and it's main purpose is to be a place for those with Lyme to turn if they are feeling hopeless, depressed, or suicidal. It is designed so that there is always someone online to talk to.
We have had many close calls where people were acutely suicidal, and tried to figure out a way to keep them safe. There just isn't any way. We tried to institute a data bank where we collected people's contact info and stored it, but of course it was voluntary.
The bottom line is, no internet forum can save someone who wants to remain anonymous. We've been really fortunate in our group to have been able to contact the police and they have found people in emergency situations with what we could get from their Facebook pages, but it's no guarantee.
The best we can do is reach out and be there for people, which is what everyone on Lymenet already does, as well as Lyme Friends, and the Facebook groups. So, so many lives have been saved by everyone here, and will continue to be.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Thanks, Tracy!
Everyone here should really have someone (here) who knows their phone number or address. It would help in case of an emergency.
--but don't give your info to just anyone!!!
Posted by Kudzuslipper (Member # 31915) on :
Thanks Tutu and Tracy. Tracy, the Facebook page sounds like a great resource.