(22 May 2014, 2:57 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Whilst having been through bouts of depression and ptsd AND having experience of support/guidance type work - no-one that I am aware of on here (could be wrong) is a specialist or expert in the subject.
If providing a shoulder to cry on, (for those willing to open up on things) is all you are wanting - then I am sure many will consider it.
The flip side (and possible problem), is the offering of advice - when we aren't qualified or experienced enough to provide it.
What you or I may think is good, solid and reliable advice, could end up causing issues into the future for the person who has opened up.
Hopefully I am not speaking out of turn here, but judging his comments, GTomlinson was obviously affected by events on the Tyne Bridge last month.
Seeing the photo on the forum - could work one of two ways. I certainly wouldn't want to see a visual image of the incident I was witness to (I have enough of those with flashbacks), but do read newspaper articles of the event online.
If I was to turn round and try and advise GTomlinson on what to do, who knows what could happen - particularly as I don't know him, his background or what makes him tick.
That is the danger.
I agree totally. As long as it doesn't give people 'advice' on what to do with their unsolved issues and just offers sympathy and condolence I'm alright with it. I have no problem in giving people a shoulder to cry on either, just as long as people don't treat it like a 'serious helpline' and it just says a place to chat to.