Member-only story
Is banning suicide forums an effective means of mental health support?
A recent BBC investigation puts pressure on UK authorities to shut down an online forum that freely discusses suicide. Is it the right call, or is it placing too much attention on a symptomatic cause rather than the root problem?
TW: This article discusses mental health issues and suicide. If you are in need of urgent help, please refer to the NHS website here for a list of numbers and resources.
A new investigation into a suicide forum by the BBC has put pressure on British authorities to shut it down.
The website — which will remain nameless — is an open chat forum that anyone can anonymously sign up for to discuss mental health issues and suicide. Several groups are available to post in, including a general suicide chat, a recovery chat, and an off topic chat. Subject matters vary widely, with many serving as venting exercises or attempts to reach out to likeminded sufferers.
Others, however, ask for specific information and tips on ‘strategies’ and methods. This area of the site is where the most concern is, especially for young people who may have deliberately sought out the website for…
