[maybelsyrup]

> First, if you’re suicidal, WhatsApp me at +1[...]

I'm not sure this is something this person should be saying. Not a lawyer but I'd want to talk to one about liability issues in putting that out on the internet. Even for trained professionals, "if this is an emergency, please call 911" is pretty much SOP for actively suicidal people.

Not saying it's not a laudable sentiment, either - if anything we need more people willing to talk about this stuff with strangers. But the law may put one in a weird position here - and even beyond that, this is America, where everyone sues everyone else. Suppose this guy talks to someone, that person offs themselves, and then their family comes knocking, wondering what happened on that phone call?

[wayeq]

i've volunteered quite a bit on prevention lines. he absolutely should not be asking potentially suicidal people to WhatsApp him. if you're not trained you can have the best intentions and still bring about the worst outcome.

[borepop]

Unhappy humans have been speaking to other humans for thousands of years without anybody setting up arbitrary "trainings" about it and meaningless certifications that allow us to pretend that we can stave off the psychological chaos involved in being alive.

I think it will be okay. And even if it's not okay, it already wasn't okay in the first place.

[loriverkutya]

Based on your comment I think you don’t understand what’s the difference on being unhappy and being suicidal.