Suicide on-line

Tonight's BBC News carried the disturbing tale of someone in an internet chatroom, announcing he was going to kill himself. Which he did. Nobody in the chatroom took any action at the time. In other instances, people have been encouraged to take their own life whilst in a chatroom, and given advice how to proceed.

I think that's atrocious. In law, it is a criminal offense to assist in suicide. By morality it is unspeakable to act like that. I am no longer a frequenter of chatrooms, but if I were to find myself in such a position, I would imagine there are several avenues open.

- keep talking to the person
- dissuade them in any way possible
- get them to speak to someone on the phone (Samaritans) or face-to-face

Failing all that, and fearing the worst has happened, I think an emergency call should be placed with police.

Written by pharmolo Blog about this entry

This entry has 11 comments: (Add your own)

#11 Comment from peguera1
19/01/08 00:59 | Permalink

What made this case particularly awful was that one of the room had his brother's mobile number. ? There was discussion between these roomies as to whether to intervene; they decided not to. I do wonder if they thought that they had choices. And if all these kids were suicidal. I've visited the child protection on line site recently, and that site has a button you hit to report anything untoward. I know we have the ability to "report" on aol...but i'm not convinced the reports are instantly accessed, particularly in the case of someone wanting to commit suicide. With all the technological expertise, there has to be a way of getting some thing into a pc where in the case of suicide, home attack, that you can hit a button. Young people are being subliminly threatened, someone, must know how to set something up. End of rant. Peg. oxo
#10 Comment from kirkbyj05
18/01/08 13:37 | Permalink

I think that there should be no chatroom unless each one has a moderator policing what is said.
I can't begin to believe the depravity and emotionless state some of these chatroom visitor's reveal to others without any qualms of how others will react to their suggestions. They must be insane to stand by and allow someone so depressed commit suicide.! It just beggars belief that human beings are capable of such acts!
I hope they are haunted forever by their deeds.
Jeanie
#9 Comment from mleppard06
18/01/08 11:36 | Permalink

how awful, i imagine that these people were using the chatrooms as a cry for help, and i guess that in their state anything said to them to confirm their decision, rather than contradict it, would sound logical to them. I can understand what drives people to this terrible decision, help and support is what they need not encouragement. I agree with you guido that all threats should be taken seriously and that anyone who hears this threat should act on it if they can't help the person themselves then the police should be called in. mrs t x
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mleppard06/eternity/
#8 Comment from helmswondermom
18/01/08 11:07 | Permalink

How sad. It is terrible when a suicide-threat is not taken seriously. They should ALWAYS be taken seriously.
Lori
http://journals.aol.com/helmswondermom/DustyPages/
#7 Comment from queenb8261
18/01/08 10:18 | Permalink

That's horrible. You're right about what to do in the case of someone threatening suicide. Not more you could do. Perhaps try to get in touch with AOL if it's an AOL chat. So sad.
Barb http://journals.aol.com/queenb8261/DiaryofaMadwoman/

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Suicide on-line