Mav,
As the only moderator currently logged in, I guess it is my duty to be the first to respond in an appropriate manner. Since this topic is a very serious one, I have chosen to deal with this in a separate thread in its own right. I hope you understand.
Obviously, there is absolutely nothing I can say to indeed remedy this situation, but I offer an unreserved apology for this particuar member's conduct, and they will be dealt with as best we can. I also offer my own condolences and wish Collette a speedy and safe recovery. The offending post has also been terminated.
I realise this must all sound very hollow to you, and for that I am sorry.
As a forum which is open to the public, the majority of our advice is provided on an amateur basis, although we do have qualified clinicians who post here too. Even so, we are simply not qualified to comment on individual cases, as you yourself have pointed out. This is the great danger with a forum such as ours, and the internet as a whole. However, this is still no excuse for what has been said on here.
Therefore whilst the vast majority of us do try to support those who come here, those of us who do geniunely want to help can only do so up to a point. In these circumstances, you and your wife may benefit greatly from a support group closer to home.
Depression Alliance is probably your best port of call in this instance, since it has a directory of local support groups which will be able to help Collette far more than we ever could.
Once again I apologise for what has happened and I also apologise if you find anything in this response offensive - this is certainly not my intention.
Thank you.
