Suicide HeIp!

[Shanti Mactavish]

I have a friend on sl who just told me he was going to commit suicide. I believe he is serious. I am a retired grief counselor. 

Is there anyway to contact authorities to let them know??

[Freya Mokusei]

First part removed, with thanks.

My best advice is to contact relevent authorities (typically the police) local to you - they are the only ones who can request personal information from LL to personally identify your friend. LL will work with law enforcement in this circumstance, leaving their personal information secure.

Best of luck.

[Rolig Loon]

You can certainly contact authorities yourself, but Linden Lab can't release account information because of privacy concerns for the person.  As a grief counselor, you have probably run into that situation before.  There are real limits to how much you or the authorities can do without your friend's consent, unfortunately.  Your own advantage is that you are a professional, so you have more skills and experience than most people who might be faced with this problem.  As frustrating as it may be, use those skills to do what you can.

[Lindal Kidd]

You can also encourage your friend to get professional help immediately.  Suggest that they call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

 

1 (800) 273-8255

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

For yourself, keep in mind that there is very little you can do.  Your friend is anonymous.  You don't know who he is or where he lives.  Also keep in mind that many people threaten suicide as a means of getting attention, or simply because they like messing with other people's heads.  Don't let anyone guilt-trip you.