EMERGENCIES AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT
SUICIDE, SELF-HARM, HARM TO OTHERS
My friend in SL is saying she is going to kill herself! What should I do!?!
I am feeling like cutting myself or killing myself. Can I make an appointment?
This requires immediate REAL LIFE help. The best thing is to log off Second Life and make a call to a crisis center or suicide hotline, call 911, or go to the nearest hospital. There are also Suicide Prevention groups in Second Life that can be found by Search who can help you connect with RL support.
Real life intervention is needed immediately if someone is going to harm themselves or others.
By law, we must report genuine threats to harm yourself or someone else. Confidentiality has its limits when a life is at stake, and any responsible, legitimate practitioner will take this very seriously.
The Counseling Center is not a substitute for real life medical care or mental health services.
Please, if in need of RL crisis services, log off and seek help. Your safety comes first.
If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or anyone else, please log off the computer and call your local emergency number - in the US it is 911, or you can call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). You can find international contact numbers here: http://www.befrienders.org. Go to the nearest hospital, call a friend or family member for help - reach out for RL help immediately. Your safety is important and your life matters.
links TO GENERAL RESOURCES
MENTAL HEALTH
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
National Institute of Mental Health
EMERGENCY/CRISIS LINKS
http://www.suicidehotlines.com (USA)
http://www.befrienders.org (International)
Suicide and Mental Health Association International
RELATIONAL VIOLENCE
Family Violence Prevention
Domestic violence hotlines & resources
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1.800.799.SAFE
SELF-INJURY SUPPORT
Healthy Place - Self-Injury Community
Secret Shame - Self Injury Information and Support
MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS
I Hate You, Don't Leave Me - Borderline Personality Disorder info (.pdf)
Help for Partners of Bipolar Spouses
ISSUES RELATED TO ONLINE/VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES
The Online Disinhibition Effect
SEXUALITY
The Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health
LGBT RESOURCES
Gay and Lesbian National Hotline
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Support
Parents, Friends & Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
Transgender Forum & Resource Center
International Foundation for Gender Education
MARRIAGE AND RELATIONSHIPS
The Gottman Institute
http://www.gottman.com/
Fantastic books on communication, relationship styles, and more.
Marriage Support
http://www.couples-place.com/
Articles and more for couples
WOMEN'S ISSUES
The Women's Forum
http://www.womensforum.com
Lots of links and resources for many issues.
I Village
http://www.ivillage.com/
MSN Women Central
http://womencentral.msn.com/
Mega sites with numerous links and sites of interest for women.
STEPFAMILIES
StepTogether
http://steptogether.org/
Large number of message boards, links, recommended reading, and support resources.
This easy-to-navigate site is part of the Stepfamily Association of America
The Step and Blended Family Institute
http://www.stepinstitute.ca
"The Step and Blended Family Institute exists to support stepfamilies and the individuals in them, to succeed at the enormous task of building and nurturing their new families." Offering a wide variety of helpful resources for step and blended families.