Removal of recent post

[MAS_Nurse]

I am posting this because we regretfully had to remove a recent post that implied that a user was in crisis, suicidal and in need of professional or medical help. Although an incredible level of support and advice exists in this community it is anonymous, online and not professional in nature. In a critical situation anonymous, online advice carries the risk of misjudgement and harm, however well intentioned. We have to stick to our rule of taking down this type of post for safety's sake. We have contacted the member with advice and contact details for services that can provide the appropriate level of advice to get through their situation. From the bottom of our heart we wish them well from the whole community and hope that they can get through this situation as quickly as possible.

[Hidden]

Hello, clearly you have to apply your professional judgment but many posters here are deep in crisis, in need of professional/medical support and may be at risk of self-harm. If all such implied posts were removed, there wouldn't be many left. I am not sure that further isolating vulnerable people, who clearly are reaching out for help from a potential source of support, is beneficial. Would it not be better to leave the post and monitor the responses to weed out any that may not be appropriate. Of course, that's just my view and others may not agree. Kind regards,

[hypercat54 in reply to Hidden]

One of the reasons posts like this are removed is because they could be a trigger for others. It is very sad for the individual but the admins have to think of the majority and put them first. x

[Hidden in reply to hypercat54]

Thank you Hypercat for your reply. Can you tell me where this specific point is covered in the guidelines, as I was unable to find it? I agree that it's important to find the correct balance between, on the one hand, encouraging people in need to post on the forum, and, on the other hand, ensuring any post does not contain potentially harmful, or otherwise inappropriate content. I was curious to find out what other people think. Take care,

[hypercat54]

I don't know but would guess it comes under the below which is taken from the users terms and conditions of posting. Also the medical advice bit.

Content must not:

be threatening, abuse or invade another’s privacy, or cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety;

be likely to harass, upset, embarrass alarm or annoy any other person