(Photo / Fargo Police Department)
FARGO (KFGO/KVRR) – Some are criticizing the sharing of a video posted on social media by Fargo Police which shows a man apparently threatening suicide. The man appears to have doused himself in a flammable liquid, and is holding a lighter. Police talked to the man, removed the lighter and poured water to wash away the accelerant as they waited for Fargo Fire and EMS to arrive on scene.
The release drew immediate criticism from the public, with questions raised about whether the man had given permission to use the video and whether posting the video could be triggering to people struggling with suicidal behavior.
One of the online comments called for the video to be taken down, with one saying “Anyone who knows this man or has had a face-to-face conversation or memorable interaction is going to immediately recognize him.”
“That’s always a consideration when posting something like this. How that individual may feel even if identifiable features are blurred out,” Essentia Health Psychologist Dr. Alexandra Kohlhase said.
Kolhase says that releasing videos like this can be risky.
“You have the potential of connecting with someone and helping someone to feel less alone, but you also have the potential of really upsetting somebody who is already experiencing these thoughts, or has lost someone to suicide. So it’s a difficult position to be in, even if the intent is good,” she adds.
And she says that making sure that people are comfortable seeking help is critical for mental health treatment.
“There’s still such a stigma associated with it. Am I crazy? Will I be locked up? Those are a lot of the things people say in my office. And no, that’s part of the human condition, and one of the ways we can heal and cope with that is by talking about it and by getting help,” Kohlhase said.
Kolhase also added that there are concerns over this man’s privacy in the video.
Police declined our request to discuss their decision to release the video. They did not confirm whether they received or sought permission from the man before posting the video.
In a statement, police said their intent was to “highlight the importance of compassion, intervention and connecting people with help during a mental health emergency.”
“If this video encourages you to do one thing, let it be this: check in on the people in your life. A simple conversation, a phone call or a reminder that someone cares can mean more than you know.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text “988,” the Suicide Crisis Lifeline.
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