Here we can all be heard for a little while. Part 2

Waves_and_Smiles

This thread is a continuation of The Mental Health thread “Here we can all be heard for a little while”. The previous thread can be found here-

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5249557

I started the original thread when I was lonely and suffering with mental health issues and was lucky to find a wonderful group of amazing new friends who now mean the world to me. My name was Worried and Scared back then but with the help of everyone here I became Waves and Smiles. This thread is no longer just about me, it is about all of us and for anyone who needs mental health support, their carers and anyone who is interested in learning more. Sometimes we speak seriously, sometimes we offer gentle advice and a lot of the time we laugh together. Sometimes I write mini-novels about my experiences of living with complex mental illness. What is important is everyone here is there for each other. New posters are welcome to join in, or just lurk (we call them humming birds because they hover!) if they would prefer. This is a place without judgement or pressure, and a safe place for everyone. We try to keep abbreviations to a minimum but if there are some that you do not understand please ask.

Sir Pugliet is our Good Mental Health pug! You may notice that he is mentioned from time to time, he is a little cuddly pug toy that was sent to me by a friend on the thread. He is something of a celebrity now!


Hugs and warm handshakes, or finger squishes, whichever you prefer.

Pyxis

(The thread etiquette will be reposted every ten or so pages.)
........:starmod:......................................................................:starmod:.....................
Here is the suggested THREAD ETIQUETTE. By following this etiquette, all posters, whether new or existing, will feel safe, unpressured and respected..

!!!But first...............please be assured..................................................................******It should be pointed out that if anyone is feeling very distressed or close to a crisis, they do not have to worry about what they are posting, or whether it is a penguin for someone else or not. (See below about penguins). In a crisis situation, just post! We wouldn't want anyone to feel that they couldn't ask for help in case it's a penguin! The penguin thing only applies to a general discussion situation.******


- This is a thread for support. We have discovered some good friends on here, but we promise always to welcome and include new people, and not to be cliquey.

- People may make suggestions to help each other, and might even ask if the suggestions were helpful or have been carried out, but we'll really try not to nag each other or put too much pressure on.

- The normal board rules about sexism, racism, homophobia etc. apply, but if we are careful we should be able to discuss almost anything without breaching board rules - so far we have discussed subjects ranging from child abuse to incontinence!

-If someone thinks that too much pressure is being applied, they can post the trigger word PENGUIN and flag up the fact that they believe there's a potential for someone feeling too nagged to do something. ANYONE could post PENGUIN if they felt there was a danger that suggestions were being enforced too much.

Similarly, if they want to discuss something that might be a trigger for some people, then posting PENGUIN would be a warning that what follows in the whiteout might be a trigger.


- So, if you think something might be a PENGUIN, please post something like the green bit which follows.

"Possible penguin about.........(Type of Trigger)" The trigger might be:- child abuse, marital abuse/violence, paranoia, stalkers, death, etc. (It's important to indicate the type of trigger, so that people can avoid reading it if they need to).

Then, when you post, repost the word PENGUIN above the discussion. Then post the penguiny bit in white! And the phrase END OF PENGUIN when you have finished.

It will look like this. You will be able to see the white text if you highlight it or if you quote it, (so please don't 'quote' a post containing a penguin onto the thread!)
(Harmless example follows here):-
PENGUIN

This is a penguin. A nasty, crotch biting penguin (CBP).
It isn't really! So you can look. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozGTv0hxhpc[/url]


END OF PENGUIN

(NB on a tenth-page repost of the etiquette, you can see these penguiny words because they are white against the green 'quote' background. On a normal post, they will be white against white, and so won't be seen on the thread.)

IMPORTANT: It has been ascertained that some posters to this thread have found that there are certain subjects which act as triggers, precipitating a worsening of their condition.
To protect these posters, you are respectfully requested NOT to discuss these subjects on this thread:-

Religion. (Please note: it is recognised that everyone is entitled to their beliefs, and we respect those beliefs. It is only because of the fact that religion does act as a trigger for some posters, that we exclude it from discussion.)
N.B. Please don't even mention the name of the religion.

The afterlife. The reason for this is explained in this thread by one poster, and there will be others for whom this is a trigger.

We ask and thank you for your co-operation in this matter.


.........:starmod:.....................................................................:starmod:................

!!!So, to reiterate..............******It should be pointed out that if anyone is feeling very distressed or close to a crisis, they do not have to worry about what they are posting, or whether it is a penguin for someone else or not. In a crisis situation, just post! We wouldn't want anyone to feel that they couldn't ask for help in case it's a penguin! The penguin thing only applies to a general discussion situation.******

- More suggestions please.............We stress that we are suggesting that we AGREE some Thread Etiquette to HELP people who might feel anxious about posting, we are not trying to IMPOSE rules, just relating this to facilitating groups, so that people feel safe and able to participate as fully as they can.

...............Thread Motto...............
Nos Omnes Ad Audiendum Parumper

System

Yay new thread!!!!!!


I bring cake to celebrate

Pyxis

Escapee break-out poll!


MONDAY.........Katy, Georgiegirl, RjHammond
TUESDAY........Flybaby, WaS, 7DW
WEDNESDAY...Pyxis, Mummyroysof3, Solarjunkie, Birdie
THURSDAY.....Codemonkey, Oldestgnome, Mellymoo
FRIDAY..........Geminilady, xXMessedUpXx, Elsien, BeardedOne
SATURDAY......JobbingMusician, Indiekid
SUNDAY..........Whitewing, HeartbreakStar

Waves_and_Smiles

Yay cake! And well done Pyxis, that was fast! I can't believe we are on the fourth thread now, wow we chat a lot! (And I love that).

Pyxis

Smart cake, MessedUp!



WaS, I was poised!
My stylus had the copy of the etiquette on its tip and was hovering, waiting to paste!

Waves_and_Smiles

Hahahaha! Really well done, Pyxis. It's perfect to have the etiquette right after the first post!

Pyxis

Waves_and_Smiles wrote: »

Hahahaha! Really well done, Pyxis. It's perfect to have the etiquette right after the first post!

As long as it's on the first page, it's so much easier to repost. In the last thread it was on the second page, which doesn't sound like much of a big deal, but it's very easy when it's on the first page!

Pyxis

Waves_and_Smiles

Hahahaha! Perfect again! I have asked Glad to close the previous thread now.

I want to extend a special Hello to anyone who reads this and meets us for the first time. We often get new people popping in when a new thread is created so please be assured that everyone is welcome here and can say as little or as much as they wish. You are among friends, there is no judgement or pressure. A simple hi is enough, no one expects long posts the first time you write (although they are also very welcome). Just jump straight in, we would all love to meet you!

Pippin12

Hi Waves and Smiles and the other thread participants. I'm a newbie just dropping in to say 'hello'. I've been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and severe anxiety. Coming off a mood stabiliser at the moment and feeling quite vulnerable. Hi to all.