Post: Depressed teen’s cry for help heard via Xbox LIVE
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03-18-2011, 05:49 PM
#1
A 14 year-old Canadian boy is being credited as potentially saving the life of a fellow gamer, following his quick response to his friend’s online cry for help.
According to police statements, the Canadian had logged on in late February when he noticed his online aquaintance – a 14-year old Texan – was “feeling pretty down on himself, feeling pretty worthless”. The Canadian asked his parents what they thought he should do about the situation, and they promptly called the police.
We’re not sure quite how the situation was explained, but an officer soon arrived, bringing with him experience in crisis negotiation. The officer – and the Canadian boy – spent more than two hours chatting with the American, trying to determine the boy’s location.
Thunder Bay Police spokesman Chris Adams describes the incident on behalf of the officer, who wishes to remain anonymous, but stayed in conversation with the boy the entire time:
Originally posted by another user
“It was very intense, and a lot of back-and-forth to gain the trust of the kid at the other end of the headset.
“It took a lot of digging, asking the right questions, trying to narrow it down.
“More importantly, it took building a rapport. He was definitely going into his toolbox, and trying to come up with as many options as he could, but he described the experience as being ‘emotionally draining’ because of the level of intensity that he had to go through to build that rapport.”
“It took a lot of digging, asking the right questions, trying to narrow it down.
“More importantly, it took building a rapport. He was definitely going into his toolbox, and trying to come up with as many options as he could, but he described the experience as being ‘emotionally draining’ because of the level of intensity that he had to go through to build that rapport.”
The officer eventually discovered the Texan teenager was at home, with his father in another room. Following further conversation, the boy was convinced to go and get his father, so Dad could talk to the officer via the Xbox LIVE headset.
Dad, understandably, was “shocked, but very grateful”. He knew his son had been struggling with some issues, involving a form of autism, but had no idea the situation was that bad.
The boys had gamed together before, but did not know each other outside of Xbox LIVE.
Adams continues:
Originally posted by another user
“Games involve a lot of conversation and relationships; most of them are very superficial. But occasionally you might come across something that’s more serious and somebody is actually crying out for help.
“It was nice to see two things: the youth up here that was involved . . . taking it seriously enough to ask about it, and then, of course, it was really great to see the officer being able to negotiate a really great ending.”
“It was nice to see two things: the youth up here that was involved . . . taking it seriously enough to ask about it, and then, of course, it was really great to see the officer being able to negotiate a really great ending.”
Good that the another kid wasn't douche or it could have ended much worse.
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The following 6 users say thank you to Janne for this useful post:
03-18-2011, 07:01 PM
#2
Fierceknucks
Former Staff
03-18-2011, 07:26 PM
#4
Originally posted by Jeff
Good story, but Seriously, the Copy and paste shit is getting rather terrible now. It seems every post is C&P now
Sorry, I try to edit my posts more in future. I know that C&P is annoying, but my native language isn't english so it's harder to me to edit posts than you guys, but I still try to edit them more.
03-18-2011, 08:22 PM
#6
NeedaLifeSoon
Retired Life
Anyone think microsoft is involved with promoting this story?
You know that us sony people have saved several lives already but X-Box gets all the attention
There is some truth to the story about making real friends online.
Whether its gaming or here, it can happen and be real, even if you never meet in person !!
You know that us sony people have saved several lives already but X-Box gets all the attention
There is some truth to the story about making real friends online.
Whether its gaming or here, it can happen and be real, even if you never meet in person !!
03-18-2011, 08:35 PM
#7
TarikSadek
Hurah!
03-18-2011, 08:59 PM
#8
Pimp
Rustler Of Jimmies
Originally posted by southpaw
Why couldnt they traced his ip?
no all ips logs are strict property of Microsoft. It would have taken to much time .
---------- Post added at 04:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:56 PM ----------
Originally posted by Knucks
How did they save his life? Was he going to commit suicide?
not to sound offensive , But the kid was DEPRESSED , He had Autism which is a mental disorder . Although i cant infer how severe the depression or the Autism is . He was going into the final stage of his Depression which is inflicting damage on both yourself and others.
03-18-2011, 09:03 PM
#9
Originally posted by NeedaLifeSoon
Anyone think microsoft is involved with promoting this story?
You know that us sony people have saved several lives already but X-Box gets all the attention
There is some truth to the story about making real friends online.
Whether its gaming or here, it can happen and be real, even if you never meet in person !!
You know that us sony people have saved several lives already but X-Box gets all the attention
There is some truth to the story about making real friends online.
Whether its gaming or here, it can happen and be real, even if you never meet in person !!
I have four friends on PSN that are really great guys and we have played on since W@W. I suppose to met one them once, but he was sick then
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