Admin Forum:Young wiki member (possibly in danger) sought my help in private wiki chat. How should this be handled?

About a month or so ago a young wiki member talked to me in chat about some very private things she was dealing with at home. I haven't talked to her since then and as far as I know she hasn't returned. I don't want to divulge too much information in forum, but her situation involved self-harm. I talked with her until I felt she was calm and suggested that she talk with her parents or another adult that she trusts. I felt extremely out of my league in dealing with her, but because she had come to me I didn't want to ignore her or turn her away. I don't know who she is apart from her account name and I didn't know her very long, but the experience has left me shaken and I think about her often. If something like this were to happen again what should I do? 01:40,10/28/2012 01:40, October 28, 2012 (UTC)


 * That's a tricky situation. If self-harm is involved, it sounds to me like this must have been a pretty big personal issue, in which case I think you absolutely did the right thing in hearing her out, asking her to go speak with her parents or another adult she trusts, and not revealing personal information. Wikis (and the internet in general) isn't the best of places to be discussing personal problems that take place at home. If she has no one else to turn to, and you're willing to be that person she can trust, that's your call to make -- but your first option should definitely be to point her in the direction of a trustworthy adult in real life.


 * Now, it's a very different story if the problem is caused by, or related to something happening on Wikia (other users on the wiki ridiculing someone or doing something to harm them). In that case, local admins on the wiki can and should take steps to resolve the situation. If additional help is needed / it's an emergency, please don't hesitate to contact Wikia staff. During the weekdays you should be able to find a staff member in the chat room here on Community Central (if not, ping any chat mod or admin and they can alert staff for you). Otherwise, Wikia's main support line is by email via Special:Contact -- it may take 1 or 2 business days to get a reply.