Posted by jay on December 18, 2003, at 20:15:44
In reply to A Suicide in an Online Peer Support Group, posted by Dr. Bob on December 16, 2003, at 17:58:57
Dr. Bob..
A few other comments that I think should be included. One is the limitations of the online group. More-or-less, who the group "doesn't" represent, as those living in poverty, homeless, or otherwise don't have any and/or easy access to the internet, and of course the site. Also, in my experience working in a group home, many people with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and such similar situations usually don't have the skills or even access to a group like this one. Your research may be of direct benefit to social workers and counsellors to kick down the barriers to this type of website. (I've got a grant and a make-work project in mind..;-)
I guess what I am pointing out is sort of like the limitations of Freud's research, since he treated mostly white, upper-class European women. This other question is pretty wide in scope, but are there pre-cautions you have to take in running the site, whatever they may be, to prevent an influence on someone committing suicide?And...do you ever worry about interference in the therapeutic progress of site members? You might want to include examples of possible positive and negatives, but I recall you also said that the site is not necessarily therapeutic in it's goals.
Good luck with your presentation.
Jay
poster:jay
thread:290698
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20031120/msgs/291413.html