Getting the police involved

[Shawn Gossman]

Have you ever had to get the police involved in a forum or blog related incident?

I've heard of forum owners calling the police on members who threaten to commit suicide on the forum. I've even heard that the police in the member's town tracked them down and visited their home for a welfare check.

I'm sure there are other reasons to get police involved in forum incidents, as well.

Have any of you ever had to do it? If so, why?

If not - would you consider doing it for certain things or would you pass on it?

 

[Cpvr]

Not at all. I haven't had a situation like this happen before.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Not at all. I haven't had a situation like this happen before.

I want to say I remember The Sandman on TAZ having to notify law enforcement over a young member threatening to harm himself. I think officers showed up to their door for a welfare check as well.

If I had the information of a member who threatened that, I would likely try to contact their local law enforcement agency. I feel like that would be more appropriate than just standing by and keeping my nose out of it.

What do you all think? Would you act or just stay out of it?

 

[Cpvr]

I want to say I remember The Sandman on TAZ having to notify law enforcement over a young member threatening to harm himself. I think officers showed up to their door for a welfare check as well.

If I had the information of a member who threatened that, I would likely try to contact their local law enforcement agency. I feel like that would be more appropriate than just standing by and keeping my nose out of it.

What do you all think? Would you act or just stay out of it?

I would act on it. Mental health is important and if someone is threatening to harm themselves, it is in your best interest to call that in so they can get the help that they need.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I would act on it. Mental health is important and if someone is threatening to harm themselves, it is in your best interest to call that in so they can get the help that they need.

I totally agree. I would act on it, as well.

You might save a life.

 

[Uncrowned Guard]

I never have, but I would try to act upon it. We do have a setup for reporting any illegal stuff (e.g. child related) found on our forum, but thankfully none has ever been discovered.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I never have, but I would try to act upon it. We do have a setup for reporting any illegal stuff (e.g. child related) found on our forum, but thankfully none has ever been discovered.

At least you have a setup for it.

I feel like that is staying ahead of the crisis before it actually occurs. Preparedness for the win, right?

 

[Heatman]

I wonder what's going to make someone come on a forum and start talking about committing suicide? I haven't seen anything like that happen before and if it were to occur in my forum, I'll definitely seek any means to get the person help even if it means reporting to the cops.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I wonder what's going to make someone come on a forum and start talking about committing suicide? I haven't seen anything like that happen before and if it were to occur in my forum, I'll definitely seek any means to get the person help even if it means reporting to the cops.

I've seen it a few times over the years, more on social media.

People usually do it for attention, but if that's what they want, then try to give it to them.

Some people probably really need help and are crying out.

I was in a dark place once, but I had left the internet at that point.

 

[Heatman]

I've seen it a few times over the years, more on social media.

People usually do it for attention, but if that's what they want, then try to give it to them.

Some people probably really need help and are crying out.

I was in a dark place once, but I had left the internet at that point.

Those people who do that just because they wanted attention are simply sick in the head. Eventually, they are going to keep doing it until no one ever takes them seriously that when they truly actually need help, no one will answer them.

I think you did the right thing leaving social media platforms when you were in that situation because most times, the toxic nature of social media platforms is never helpful at the time.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Those people who do that just because they wanted attention are simply sick in the head. Eventually, they are going to keep doing it until no one ever takes them seriously that when they truly actually need help, no one will answer them.

I think you did the right thing leaving social media platforms when you were in that situation because most times, the toxic nature of social media platforms is never helpful at the time.

Yeah. I went through a struggle but found a way out, found a healthier lifestyle, and never looked back.

I love the internet and forums today but I make sure I make time for nature as well.

 

[Heatman]

Just like what we are talking about, I have a guy on my friend list on Facebook sounding depressed and sucidial. I had to find a way to get his phone contact and reach out to him.







Hopefully, he gets better soon.

 

[Ashley]

I wonder what's going to make someone come on a forum and start talking about committing suicide? I haven't seen anything like that happen before and if it were to occur in my forum, I'll definitely seek any means to get the person help even if it means reporting to the cops.

I was thinking likewise. I've been running and visiting forums off and on for 18 years and have never encountered something like this as a staff member or a user.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I was thinking likewise. I've been running and visiting forums off and on for 18 years and have never encountered something like this as a staff member or a user.

I think it's rare now but once upon a time, I remember seeing it a few times. Nowadays, there are more ways to figure out who someone is.

 

[Ashley]

I think it's rare now but once upon a time, I remember seeing it a few times. Nowadays, there are more ways to figure out who someone is.

I suppose back in the 90s or early 2000s, when there weren't a lot of online resources like now, forum owners had a bit more detective work to find out what was actually going on

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I suppose back in the 90s or early 2000s, when there weren't a lot of online resources like now, forum owners had a bit more detective work to find out what was actually going on

We definitely did have to do that back then. I almost miss some of it. It's too easy to do things these days and while that is fine for in the moment, it's bad for us in the long run because we use our muscle memories less.

I predict a significant increase in memory loss in older adults (us and generations after especially) in the future.

 

[Cpvr]

Yeah. I went through a struggle but found a way out, found a healthier lifestyle, and never looked back.

I love the internet and forums today but I make sure I make time for nature as well.

It happens to the best of us. I went through something similar back in the day and ended up getting therapy for it. I was in a rough patch too, so I totally get it.

There’s nothing wrong with venting or needing extra reassurance sometimes, it really does go a long way. Mental health struggles are serious, especially when someone doesn’t have anyone to turn to or any healthy outlets.

Sometimes it’s a cry for attention, but other times it’s not. A lot of people who post about their problems online just need someone to listen or to remind them they’re not alone. That’s why it’s important to offer a listening ear when we can, or, if needed, get help involved.

Social media’s gotten better about this too, with those prompts encouraging users to reach out for help or contact the suicide hotline. I’ve seen them pop up plenty of times, and honestly, it’s a good thing they exist.