NYPD on Twitter: "We regret to inform that Desmond Amofah aka Etika has been found deceased." (See guidelines before posting)

[Cerium]

This tragedy is not an opportunity for drama, it is not entertainment, nor is it an occasion to organize harassment against people who most likely already feel terrible about what has happened here. Our guide/FAQ states:

"Members that appear to be using an obituary thread as an opportunity to post vitriol will be moderated."

Attempting to hurt or punish is a poor way to pay your respects. This thread began with a tremendous outpouring of sympathy and support. It must not end by tearing itself apart.

As always, our Mental Health community welcomes members seeking support or company during difficult times like these:

https://www.resetera.com/threads/mental-health-era-ot2-community-and-understanding.95803/

If you or someone you know is suffering, additional help is available:

International: https://ibpf.org/resource/list-international-suicide-hotlines
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines

US: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

UK: http://www.samaritans.org
Samaritan Lifeline: 116 123

US/UK: https://www.crisistextline.org/

AUS: https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14

 

[Finale Fireworker]

As staff we should in fact have paid more attention to and done better with the initial thread, and that's something we've been agonizing over for days. We do usually moderate mental health topics much more vigilantly and that did not happen in this case. We regret that enormously and it's taken a personal toll on all of us.

We do not usually retroactively revisit old threads to issue a lot of bans, but this is an unprecedented situation and we feel it is both appropriate to correct a mistake and also the best way for the community to heal. We will be reviewing the thread again. We have to balance what was known at the time with what is never appropriate, but the bans will not be short.

At the end of the day we are a small team of volunteers trying to keep up with a massive community as best we can. We are members as well and we feel the same things you do.

 

[Deleted member 13101]

We know that there are many members here who want to have an honest conversation about mental health and their experiences with it. There is an opportunity to discuss these things and learn from each other in a meaningful way. But if this is to happen, people must be considerate to the sensitivity of the issue. Please do not be dismissive or antagonistic towards one another, especially members with personal experiences that relate to this topic.

Please stay on topic and maintain a respectful atmosphere in this thread. Thank you!