[2594] in Depressing_Thoughts
Re: suicidal thoughts
dcctdw@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (dcctdw@ATHENA.MIT.EDU)
Tue Dec 10 16:54:22 1991
I believe that most people would attest to the fact that the Med Dept Psych
Dept people are totally incompetent. I have heard many stories about them,
and if i had the time, i'd work to not only getting them fired, but having
their licenses revoked.
The only other option that i know of are the Deans in the Student Academic
Support office... i have no idea if they are skilled or competent...
Nightline staff receive some training (i believe), but for intervention or
long-term counseling, they are inappropriate. Prevention, perhaps.
i think there's also two levels at work here: counseling and intervention.
For the former, i don't believe the CPs are the answer; they are for the
latter at times...
Richard: while i agree that most professional counselors are overrated,
there is something to be said for them... the competent ones, at least.
For starters, they are often older, and have better experience to give
advice. Also, a little study/reflection goes a long way. These two things
are something that a lot of MIT students lack. Also: no one was suggesting
that my friend be sent to a psychiatric hospital. (That has happened to
another friend of mine -- a very poor decision by MIT Med Dept.) It's all
dependant on the situation.
I think the important thing to realize is: professional help is a good
idea, but that doesn't mean you can drop the person and expect them to get
better -- a mistake people sometimes make.
