Depression Support Group

First of all, this is an anonymous internet site, and as such there is little that we are "required" to do. If one chooses to do something, then there are some options.

CRIME If you believe that somebody has confessed to a crime you can report it; the abuse reporting link is the only one we have. You can also report it to the authorities. In America this would be the FBI since there is question about state jurisdiction. In the UK I guess that would be Scotland Yard, but you may know better than I.

ABUSE If you believe that somebody is being abused the best thing is to give them access to phone numbers for help. Here is the DS link:

http://www.dailystrength.org/help/...

FRIENDS If you have a friend who is in trouble you can use your relationship as a part of the help for them. It is very critical that you do NOT represent your advice as the only advice that will work. Very often there are important details that we do not know (even if they say they have told everything!) that dramatically change the course they should take.

TOUGH LOVE This almost never works. The cases where it has worked here are limited, and almost always involve people who have a very good relationship. If you know little about them, and they you, then please do not even think about trying tough love.

There is an analogy used here often, the Airplane Oxygen Mask rule. If the oxygen masks drop during flight PUT YOURS ON FIRST. You can not help others until you have a good supply of oxygen. If you are not in a good place yourself, please do not feel obligated to jump in and help others. Wait until you are stronger, let others jump in. Your time will come!

"confessing to committing a crime , i.e, rape, assault, homicide?"

preserve any and all evidence and notify the appropriate law enforcement agency .. if you cannot determine the 'appropriate' one, notify any law enforcement agency.

"someone is in desperate need of help, for instance being sexually abused, or assaulted. What as members should we do?"

see above.

Bump

i love the oxygen rule!!!!