March 28, 2008 by Nobody Fugazi
Posted in
I know. It is simply too easy to make fun of, so I won't - and that isn't a slight on those seeking help or sincerely need it, but those that seem to lose their minds as soon as they log in to Second Life.
Seriously - the National Council is using Second Life For Mental Health Advocacy:
...The National Council is the first organization of its kind in the United States to offer mental health and addictions awareness and support virtually using the technology of Second Life. The National Council created an office on an island in Second Life called Nonprofit Commons and uses the space to build community among those with mental illness and addiction disorders and those who care for them. Second Lifers get the benefit of in-person education and engagement that helps them better manage the challenges they face, knowing they are not alone. They are connected to resources for employment, comprehensive care, and grassroots advocacy to lobby for increased access to effective mental healthcare....
I'm not sure that the Non Profit Commons is the best place for counseling services. Having discussed medical related treatment within Second Life, every single person I have spoken to who is related to the projects seems to agree that a private place or area is more appropriate for counseling - where chat cannot be heard, and where people can feel comfortable. In the grand scheme of things, the National Council might be better served with its own island - something that they may find out heuristically soon.
Further, there are legal aspects that should be considered: chat logs can be subpoenaed from Second Life... and that could conflict with patient privacy in this context. Everything is an open book to Linden Lab, and this is not unlike avoiding discussion of Trade Secrets in Second Life. I'm no lawyer of course, but - it does seem rather shaky to me.
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Alicia - MentalHealthNotes.com
You should take note that, just as chat logs can be subpoenaed from Second Life, everything from a person's "real life" therapist or psychiatrist can be subpoenaed, too - doctor's notes, voice recordings, prescription histories - everything. NOTHING is 100% private - period. (However, the courts [and lawyers] don't normally sling those kinds of subpoenas around lightly. There has to be a solid, legit reason for diving into someone's therapist's records, i.e. the patient usually has to be in some pretty hot legal water. People don't just go around demanding a person's private mental health records for the hell of it.) So, the idea that because Second Life chats can be subpoenaed and therefore put patient confidentiality at risk isn't exactly news breaking, or a new thing.
The next time you use such a large chunk of someone else's post, and claim the topic is "too easy to make fun of," you may want to clarify exactly what it is you think is so funny. I don't think there's anything at all that can be considered "too easy to make fun of" regarding this topic.
Alicia
MentalHealthNotes.com
Alicia...
I take it you are unfamiliar with Second Life. If you actually visited Second Life and wandered around, you would know what was meant by that. A few avatars flying around with their penises hanging out might clue you in.
If you're going to stamp something as 'cool' on your blog, you may want to clarify exactly what you think is 'cool'.
As far as privacy - the point is that anyone at Linden Lab can read those chat logs. Anyone. They are not medical professionals. And they can track people down. Is that what you think constitutes patient privacy? Do you think that fits the Patient's Bill of Rights? Need I really remind you of those things?
Second Life Consultant
Given the fact that, within
Given the fact that, within the first paragraph of my post, I clearly state "I know, I know, I can be really behind sometimes - I just discovered [Second Life] a few months ago. I’m not a member yet [...]," I think it's safe to say that anyone who can read will agree that you do indeed "take it" correctly.
However, my not being familiar with Second Life:
1. Has nothing to do with my pointing out, in my original comment here, that no one should be shocked that chat logs from ANY Web site can be subpoenaed, given the fact that actual medical records themselves can be subpoenaed. I would sincerely hope that anyone who chooses to disclose personal information about themselves online would first read the disclaimers and make an informed choice before blindly participating.
2. Has nothing to do with my wondering what you think is funny about it.
On that note, penis-flashing avatars aren't a very good argument against any online social network's ability to be helpful. You're going to have that with almost all online platforms, such as MySpace, LiveJournal, Blogger, and a wide variety of message boards. The fact that there are folks out there who post nude pictures or use crude avatars does not cancel out the fact that there are also folks out there with a bit of sense who use these online places in mature, respectful, and helpful ways. It is what you make of it, and it's not the National Council's fault that there are people on Second Life who make Second Life a place to flash penises.
And, finally, my definition of "cool" - rather, why I think this endeavor of the National Council's is "cool" - was, I thought, clear in the context of my original post:
"Sure, online mental health support groups and other resources are readily available; however, I think creating a virtual mental health-related office in an extremely popular virtual world is just, well, awesome. The National Council has just taken a giant leap toward closing the gap between mental health resources and folks who, for whatever reason, don’t have access."
It sounds as if you have issues with what the National Council is doing via Second Life, and as I'm not an employee or affiliated with them in any way, it'd be best for me to bow out and you to take those issues up with them. My main concern - my main reason for commenting - was that something a group is trying to do to help people is being labeled as "too easy to make fun of," but the only answer I got was "A few avatars flying around with their penises hanging out might clue you in." So, for me, this conversation is over.
Alicia
MentalHealthNotes.com
You see, you lack the context.
This is a website dedicated to virtual worlds. Second Life is one of them. Readers of such sites know exactly what I mean, or demonstrate such things.
I don't have a problem with what the National Council is doing - I just pointed out a very weak point in patient care that I would expect more people to be paying attention to.
Think of it. How secure are the records that Linden Lab keeps? Who has access to them? Is this not opening Pandora's Box?
Now you can have at it as you wish, and defend your post - as you rightly do - but you do not understand that I was not attacking you or what you wrote, but putting it into a context for readers familiar with virtual worlds as well as pointing out a big issue that more medical professionals should be paying attention to.
Let's consider this: If you had some diagnosis that is in the DSM IV, should you feel comfortable knowing that your conversation is not really private and might not only be used in cases related to you, but in cases where you are indirectly involved?
These are tough questions. I wish practicing medical professionals that are saying that this is 'cool' would spend the time and really think about the issue. Whether life threatening or not, these are people's lives - and they have enough problems already. Follow this link. Then read a few books by Daniel J. Solove. I'm not asking you to defend yourself or what you wrote, but I am asking you to look at the issue seriously before leaping in and saying 'cool!'
And believe this: This is constructive criticism from a former medical professional who was a patient advocate and victim advocate.
Second Life Consultant
Privacy
It's difficult enough getting people to admit they have a mental health issue, certainly in the UK where we're not as grown up about these issues and look at anyone who admits to seeing a psychiatrist with deep suspicion.
The aims of this organisation seem noble enough but Second Life being Second Life, it's unfortunately likely to attract griefers.
Yes -
Plus, when you consider the behaviors exhibited in Second Life, the whole grid does seem more like an asylum at times.
Second Life Consultant