A virtual cry for help?

With the advent of the internet, and widespread publication of e-mail addresses on web pages, it is increasingly easy to correspond with members of the health professions. Such ease of access may be used to good effect, but is also open to abuse. For example, there is a report describing an individual who was saved after they published their intention of suicide on the internet. Furthermore, the Samaritans can be accessed by e-mail. Recently I received an e-mail purporting to be a suicide note. The mail apparently originated from an identifiable individual and their e-mail address was supplied. The letter expressed anger, with unambiguous suicidal intent, and contained some features suggestive of contact with mental health and social services. Having received the letter some 6 hours after it was sent I initially contacted the server who indicated that they could identify the subscriber and would be able to release this information to the police. I therefore contacted the local police and this information was passed to Scotland Yard who arranged a visit to the registered address. The police found the individual, whose signature was on the letter, safe and well. Apparently, at interview the individual, with the responsible adults at the address, denied sending the e-mail.

This e-mail could have been a genuine cry for help, which remains unmet, or the situation may have resolved. Alternatively, it may represent a hoax perpetrated by the individual concerned or another logging onto the server with, or without, permission. While appropriate use of e-mail is to be encouraged there is a great potential for abuse, with the concomitant waste of clinical and police time. As such letters will become more frequent it is essential that an appropriate response and procedure be established between the caring professions, police and internet service providers.