It's not for you to approve or disapprove. Or to impose your sense of ethics. It's also not your place to perform an intervention.
It's not about a fear of offending nor misdiagnosing. The point is that this is a woman (?) behind a computer screen, not someone standing in front of you with a gun. You have absolutely no idea what is going on in her life. You don't know her physical/mental status. You don't even know if word one of what she's saying is true. I cannot tell you how many complete imposters I've seen on these sites over the years.
And how did you manage to translate any of this into suicide? Has she told you that she's thinking of harming herself? Or are you just reading into that based on your previous experience? Do you have any mental health training? Even a trained professional wouldn't make that leap.
Bottom line is that you can encourage her to get help. Beyond that, you have no role.
I was under the impression you had some formal training in psychology---I guess I was wrong.
It's not for me to approve or diaspprove---so if I think someone is about to be hit by a car, I shouldn't get involved?
And if that someone turns out to be a mirage or a figment of my imagination the most I've done is waste a little time on here instead of watching the evening news on TV.
And the suicide analogy---do you reall think the prognosis here is any less than undesireable if this were a case history to this point.
Lol..... so now this complete stranger on the internet is about to get hit by a car instead of committing a slow suicide. And you're gonna prevent that and have decided on a treatment plan. So, how's it going Doc?
*sigh*
I was under the impression that you'd be able to grasp my point but apparently overestimated your reach since it flew right over your head.
But I do wish you luck with your internet therapy practice. :-)
There is actually a very good chance for once. Thank you, Welby. I am nervous because I am always like this when I care about some stupid job. LOL I'm conditioned to believe stress equals success or something. NOT TRUE. Don't absorb that.
Well, the your interview obviously went well and the company apparently was worthy of your having chosen to work for them---that's always a good harbinger.
I trust they will continue to live up to your expectations.
Congratulations! That's not an easy trick to pull off these says, particularly if your over 50.
You'll do just fine. And if you bring the same passion to the job as you do to this site your new employer is the one getting a bargain, a terrific member to add to the team !
I join others in being proud for and proud of you. I know what you've done wasn't easy. I just know you're going to be happy and successful in your new profession.
Shar, you aren't a giver-upper, so I fully expect that if you want to be working at 86-1/2, you will. We are both going out the same way we came in -- kicking and screaming.
Best of luck to you and congratulations on getting out of your comfort zone. I believe you'll do just fine.
tom jackson 