The question was submitted
29/05/2008
Subject: self harming and diaries
There is debate going on in the diaries that I am glorifying and making people want to self harm because in some of my diaries I mention the rush I get from it and the thrill from it. I don't mention where I am self harming, how I am self harming.
Is this breaching etiquette or not as it says in there not to mention how you are going to self harm and that has been mentioned recently in a person's diary.
Thanks
Answer from DepNet
Thanks for your question.
Currently the preamble to the diaries reads:
Depnet respects the right of individual users to express their emotions honestly in their diary entries, however, entries that are deemed to be disturbing to other users or may potentially receive comments which are damaging to the diary writer will be edited and in some cases deleted in its entirety. Examples of such entries include excessive foul language, graphic descriptions of self harm including cutting, any verbal abuse and open expressions of dislike towards others. Moderators reserve the right to ban users who refuse to comply with the etiquette of Depnet.
Depnet also understands that the nature of depression is such that negative thoughts abound and that expression of these thoughts may offer a positive outlet for some users. Users who are disturbed by negative diaries of others are encouraged not to continue to read these entries and to contact us if they are concerned about diary misuse.
Please note that this is NOT a CRISIS FORUM. Users are not to openly discuss plans for self harm as this may be disturbing and worrying to other users. If you are contemplating self harm you must seek offline help.
We know many people struggle with issues of self harm and there may be some value in realising that they are not alone in their struggles. We try to deal with each individual issue as it arises as in our experience this sort of thing is never simply ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.
In general, we will not tolerate detailed descriptions of self harm and we don’t condone it in any way. It is a serious condition that requires professional help. As such we also can’t accept the 'glorifying' of this practice.
We agree that we no longer want users to ‘warn’ other users in the title of their diary as this is potentially drawing attention to the entry.
In addition, if there are user complaints about a particular diary and the way it is written, we have to take this into consideration and take the necessary action.
We will be reassessing diary use and etiquette again shortly and may amend the guidelines for users.
The answer was published on DepNet
30/05/2008