I noticed a thread that was moved to AVB...

herbivore21

Well-Known Member
Ok, so I often read through AVB to have a chuckle at some of the threads that never quite get their jumpstart. Threads like 'how many 6 year olds could you fight' (wtfbbq? hahaha) etc.

However, I woke up this morning and started trawling through and found a thread where a member intimated that they were going to commit suicide. I got a chill. I have dealt with chronic depression since childhood. I am not here to question mod's decisions, but as a university academic/researcher in psychology, I wanted to drop this member (someone I've shot the shit with over FC here and there) a PM and check in on them. For some reason I can't message them.

Mods, I am not here to question your moving of this thread to AVB or even discuss it, but I really hope someone got in contact with the member and tried to point them in the direction of some help. I would hate to think that anyone here might resort to hurting themselves or worse.

Many of us know that there are plenty of members here who are living with mental illness. I imagine that we might have something like this happen from time to time. If mods are ok with this, could we use this thread to discuss (preferably with as much input as possible from members with these kinds mental conditions) and develop a formal FC approach to help members who intimate a plan to self-harm get to help? This doesn't have to be anything super technical. Just something that lets us all rest assured knowing that we do the best we can to take care of our community when members find themselves in very vulnerable times.

This is a very sophisticated message board. We have the collective know-how to get all kinds of great things done here. Let's try use that sophistication to be able to better take care of our peers around these parts!

The first step I think we could take is that wherever possible, we (or a mod perhaps?) check in on a member who has shared such feelings, let them know we appreciate that they are obviously coping with some real shit and to let them know of services such as suicide hotlines and psychological services in their area.

As someone well and truly familiar with Australian avenues for this kind of situation, I will happily volunteer to be a PM away from any Aussie members who I can assist in getting to appropriate local mental healthcare.

I am aware that there are a small handful of other FC members who are psychologists or researchers in this field. Please guys, come out of the woodwork too, as the best way to be able to do this is if we can let people know which services in which countries are best to point people to.

Perhaps we could pool together any knowledge of suicide prevention organisations and hotlines? Here are a bunch of good Australian ones:

Lifeline: 13 11 14
crisis support chat

Suicide Call Back Service:1300 659 467
Online counselling


Men’s Line: 1300 78 99 78
Online counselling


Veterans Line: 1800 011 046

Qlife: 1800 184 527

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Visit the website for online counselling

BeyondBlue: http://www.beyondblue.org.au/


Finally, I think it would be worth offering members the chance to have old posts removed where they have intimated such information, as this could serve as a future trigger to remind them of how they were feeling or that they might feel ashamed for having shared this here.

I'll wait and see what others think we can do here, but in the meantime and always, please stay safe guys!
 

momofthegoons

vapor accessory addict
I'm hopeful he's okay too.

But I want you to know that several of us here, mods included, tried to "talk" with EDA before he was banned this time. And he was banned for company bashing; not for any other reason. He had begged me to ban him several times during our conversations. And not just for a couple days. He wanted to be perma banned. He also wanted all of his threads closed. I refused to do either. I know he was also encouraged by many to seek out help.

Thank you @herbivore21 for your comprehensive list of help centers.
 
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Radio

stay true to yourselves
You're a sweetheart, herbi. Bloody vegans just can't help themselves
Shy.gif

too compassionate for your own good! I took down one of the phone numbers you listed and popped it in my speed dial incase I ever lose my shit! Can't have enough safety nets to help us back up when we inevitably fall, imo.

I read the thread that you mentioned.. Shame about EDA. I'd like some closure on that but it may never come.. If you read this EDA, contact me bro !
 

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
EDA, If you are out there know that there are people that care. I was concerned after reading some of the stuff on the Crafty thread after the fact. I contacted one of the Mods because I was unable to PM you to check to see if you were OK?

Take care and you reach out to others. You worry some of us out here in FCland. Sorry that things seem so bleak for you. I hope things are better now. With depression there are good and not so good days.


I thought this would be a good number too. The Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 PHONE SUPPORT
Trained advocates are available to take your calls through our toll free, 24/7 hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE(7233).
 
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canj00digit?

All my days in a daze...
While I had never spoken with EDA, I relate to him.
I sure hope he is still raising hell somewhere :)
Every time I hear about someone else in the world deciding they can no longer make it, it raises a ton of my own feelings about whether I can keep making it.

The human condition is at the same time the most beautiful, and the most tragic, of all things.
 

herbivore21

Well-Known Member
You're a sweetheart, herbi. Bloody vegans just can't help themselves
Shy.gif

too compassionate for your own good! I took down one of the phone numbers you listed and popped it in my speed dial incase I ever lose my shit! Can't have enough safety nets to help us back up when we inevitably fall, imo.

I read the thread that you mentioned.. Shame about EDA. I'd like some closure on that but it may never come.. If you read this EDA, contact me bro !

You are much too kind mate! Definitely better to know who to go to when things are overwhelming than not :)

EDA, If you are out there know that there are people that care. I was concerned after reading some of the stuff on the Crafty thread after the fact. I contacted one of the Mods because I was unable to PM you to check to see if you were OK?

Take care and you reach out to others. You worry some of us out here in FCland. Sorry that things seem so bleak for you. I hope things are better now. With depression there are good and not so good days.


I thought this would be a good number too. The Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 PHONE SUPPORT
Trained advocates are available to take your calls through our toll free, 24/7 hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE(7233).
Thankyou for adding this @CarolKing ! Domestic violence is one of the most serious, unchecked problems in societies rich and poor, new and old today.

May I add that if you have been subjected to ongoing domestic violence to please, consult a psychologist/psychiatrist who is a trauma/domestic violence specialist. As someone speaking from within the discipline, survivors of this kind of violence can come out strong and go on to live great lives and not be held back by what happened to them.

However, it is crucial that appropriate counsel and if necessary cognitive therapy are provided in order to prevent serious psychological repercussions that these kinds of awful situations can lead to, like PTSD and in extreme cases - Dissociative Identity Disorder. Remember, it is normal for traumatic situations such as violence to cause psychological disturbance - this is healthy and if this happens to you, there is nothing wrong with you! You just need to get appropriate treatment and nip this one in the bud so you can get on with the good things your life can be about!

While I had never spoken with EDA, I relate to him.
I sure hope he is still raising hell somewhere :)
Every time I hear about someone else in the world deciding they can no longer make it, it raises a ton of my own feelings about whether I can keep making it.

The human condition is at the same time the most beautiful, and the most tragic, of all things.
Definitely brother, we can't do much more than hope EDA is better now (internet anonymity is a double-edged sword) - and make sure that when we know somebody here is in trouble, that we do what we can to help them! I am proud to say that our mods appear to have done exactly this! :)
 

EveryDayAmnesiac

Well-Known Member
I'm going to go ahead and assume the EDA that's been mentioned is a reference to me.

If mods are ok with this, could we use this thread to discuss (preferably with as much input as possible from members with these kinds mental conditions) and develop a formal FC approach to help members who intimate a plan to self-harm get to help?

I'd by happy to offer input, although I don't think mine will be in any way useful. When it comes down to it, I'm merely a selfish, tunnel-visioned asshole who sometimes feels the need to yell loudly enough in inexcusable attempts to drown out the inescapable cacophony of my own personal insignificance.

I applaud the idea of this thread, but am saddened it seems to have happened only due to my own selfishness. I hope it branches out to other members more worthy of concern than I - for example, absolutely anyone who doesn't feel the need to lash out at those who might listen to his/her whiny, worthless bullshit about not having enough attention.

I appreciate all the kinds words, but I don't think any of you realize quite how big, or smelly, a piece of cowardly shit I am. Well no, that's not true. Some of you already do, and have not been afraid to make it clear to me. Kudos on your honesty.

Let's not forget I hijacked and ruined a thread started by @lwien that would have been a very interesting thread, if not for me jumping in and making it all about me. Me, me, me. That's all I really care about.

:peace:
 

Radio

stay true to yourselves
I'm going to go ahead and assume the EDA that's been mentioned is a reference to me.



I'd by happy to offer input, although I don't think mine will be in any way useful. When it comes down to it, I'm merely a selfish, tunnel-visioned asshole who sometimes feels the need to yell loudly enough in inexcusable attempts to drown out the inescapable cacophony of my own personal insignificance.

I applaud the idea of this thread, but am saddened it seems to have happened only due to my own selfishness. I hope it branches out to other members more worthy of concern than I - for example, absolutely anyone who doesn't feel the need to lash out at those who might listen to his/her whiny, worthless bullshit about not having enough attention.

I appreciate all the kinds words, but I don't think any of you realize quite how big, or smelly, a piece of cowardly shit I am. Well no, that's not true. Some of you already do, and have not been afraid to make it clear to me. Kudos on your honesty.

Let's not forget I hijacked and ruined a thread started by @lwien that would have been a very interesting thread, if not for me jumping in and making it all about me. Me, me, me. That's all I really care about.

:peace:
You aren't totally selfish. At least you came back home instead of killing yourself and leaving us all in the dark :)

Here is a nice song.
 

herbivore21

Well-Known Member
I'm going to go ahead and assume the EDA that's been mentioned is a reference to me.



I'd by happy to offer input, although I don't think mine will be in any way useful. When it comes down to it, I'm merely a selfish, tunnel-visioned asshole who sometimes feels the need to yell loudly enough in inexcusable attempts to drown out the inescapable cacophony of my own personal insignificance.

I applaud the idea of this thread, but am saddened it seems to have happened only due to my own selfishness. I hope it branches out to other members more worthy of concern than I - for example, absolutely anyone who doesn't feel the need to lash out at those who might listen to his/her whiny, worthless bullshit about not having enough attention.

I appreciate all the kinds words, but I don't think any of you realize quite how big, or smelly, a piece of shit I am. Well no, that's not true. Some of you already do, and have not been afraid to make it clear to me. Kudos on your honesty.

Let's not forget I hijacked and ruined a thread started by @lwien that would have been a very interesting thread, if not for me jumping in and making it all about me. Me, me, me. That's all I really care about.

:peace:
This post is a good contribution to this thread man. Depression (and especially chronic aka long-term depression) makes us feel like we are shit and makes us want to scream at the top of our lungs to be heard by others. You've got nothing to feel ashamed of my friend, I know all about that tunnel-vision and just wanting to beat the shit out of yourself verbally and physically when it gets too overwhelming.

Other members (including mods) may not understand this about those of us who deal with depressive illness and it is realizing these aspects of what life is like for people with depression that will help understand and relate to us better!

Since this board has a large number of members who do suffer from mental illness, I think raising some awareness could do a world of good here :)
 

CarolKing

Singer of songs and a vapor connoisseur
@EveryDayAmnesiac I am glad to know that you are still around to abuse and amuse. I have to be honest I was worried and have thought of you over the last few days. I realize you struggle with some demons and life is hard for you at times. There is some good cannabis out there that can help. Do you live where you can qualify for med cannabis?

Welcome back to the forum.
 

Radio

stay true to yourselves
This post is a good contribution to this thread man. Depression (and especially chronic aka long-term depression) makes us feel like we are shit and makes us want to scream at the top of our lungs to be heard by others. You've got nothing to feel ashamed of my friend, I know all about that tunnel-vision and just wanting to beat the shit out of yourself verbally and physically when it gets too overwhelming.

Other members (including mods) may not understand this about those of us who deal with depressive illness and it is realizing these aspects of what life is like for people with depression that will help understand and relate to us better!

Since this board has a large number of members who do suffer from mental illness, I think raising some awareness could do a world of good here :)
Good call. I agree. Most of us know what it's like to lash out like that and dig ourselves into a bit of a hole.. When I get upset I don't eat for days and it only serves to punish myself or 'take my mind off it' which is stupid but it's the only logical interpretation I can make of it.. But I know the motivator for how I take it out on myself is from a place of struggle and pain, and all psychological pain is an symptom of the human condition so.. i'm just human. We all go through shit, welcome back
 
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