2) Community Questions and Answers - The Basis of Mental Health Awareness and Support
As previously introduced, the Questions and Answers Pages at 7 Cups offer a wide range of quality based answers to common mental health questions
Questions and Answers are available for 38 main categories, ranging from General Mental Health, Disabilities, Managing Emotions, Loneliness, Grief, Recovery, Student Life, Work Stress, and many more!
Through this directory of available knowledge, awareness, and support, 7 Cups is equipped with answers to the common questions and concerns people have. Most of these Questions and Answers are featured in search engine results due to the value of the content they contain.
The main community Questions and Answers Page offers a recent questions section as well as a section containing the most answered questions.
All 7 Cups users are invited to search for or ask new questions through the main page. Community users can also participate in this area by submitting their answers, which are reviewed by a team for quality and other important requirements.
Through this discussion, we will discuss the basic requirements needed to research as well as write quality answers for the Question and Answer Pages. Additionally, we will optimize the drafted answers in light of certain guidelines.
(i) Basic Research and Writing Requirements: When writing answers to community questions, keep in mind these tips:
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You need to write a minimum of 150 characters and 100 words.
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If research is needed to guide your answer, consider only learning about the topic and avoid direct copy/pasting researched tips, advice, or information.
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Consider verifying the information or facts through at least 2 reliable sources.
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When researching possible answers or things the person can benefit from, consider their circumstances and if the tip is do-able and generally applicable.
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Avoid plagiarism.
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Use professional and appropriate language.
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If comfortable, you can add a personal anecdote to help add meaning to your answer. However, avoid turning the answer to just your account or an entire focus on your experience.
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Be empathetic, and consider using active listening skills to help not only answer their question but their feelings - this adds connection and meaning to your answer, as well as identifies understanding, which can lead to trust.
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Answers should be related to the question and must contain tips or approaches to help deal with the question/situation instead of vague responses, even if positive.
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7 Cups is based on avoiding direct advice, this is because we do not know the complete scenario or situation a person may be facing. Keeping that in mind, avoid giving answers that provide one possible “solution” - a good tip is to consider encompassing all possible outcomes or more than one thing the person can try.
(ii) Ensuring Optimized Answers: Although the above requirements and tips help deliver a great answer, further optimization of drafted answers can help ensure their quality.
At 7 Cups, the Content Team uses researched and identified important keywords to guide their research and the writing process to result in optimized content as answers to community questions. In this regard, the basic tips/requirements involved are:
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Ensure answers have at least 8 to 10 sentences.
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Ensure the usage/incorporation of the maximum number or all of the provided keywords that can relate to the topic.
What are Keywords?
Generally, keywords can be thought of as terms or phrases that describe a piece of content. Related keywords are supporting keywords that can help further describe or expand on that initial content. For example, for the keyword “anxiety”, related keywords can be “anxiety symptoms” or “anxiety treatments”.
Keywords help with search engine marketing and hence are an important part of SEO strategies. A simple strategy to find keywords is to look for Google Related Searches. These related searches are searches that relate to your term. For instance, a Google Related Search for “anxiety symptoms” is “what is anxiety” - using this insight, you can consider including this phrase alongside a brief category of your content outline to help strengthen the optimization of your content.
For other free tools to help with keyword research, you can visit this external link.
Activity
Review this Sample Optimized Answer:
Question: How do paper bags help with panic attacks?
Provided Keywords: asthma attack, heart attacks, asthma, problems, brown paper bag, medical conditions, hyperventilation syndrome, mouth, respiratory alkalosis, common causes, chest pain, benefit, stress, medications
Approved, Optimized Answer:
While panic attacks might mimic the symptoms of heart attacks, they can be caused by several other problems and medical conditions. These include feeling stressed or facing medical conditions such as asthma attacks, hyperventilation syndrome, or even respiratory alkalosis. Although the common causes may differ, common symptoms include chest pain. Deep breathing through the mouth or by using a brown paper bag has its benefits, as it aids in the restoration of the loss of carbon dioxide in the blood during the panic attack.
Notes: The question was general, requiring general research-based knowledge on the process of using paper bags for panic attacks. As the keywords were essentially covered, note that this answer does not have 8-10 sentences, but further supporting information or even a personal anecdote can be added.
The following activity will help you put your attained knowledge to practice. Please write an optimized answer to the following community question, in light of the provided keywords. In addition, you are required to reply to at least one other student’s answer by identifying at least 3 strengths (things done correctly as per discussed guidelines) as well as at least 1 tip for improving the answer.
Note: You are welcome to click the question link and submit your written answer for community publication once done as this is an existing question!
Please do not forget to personally save your activity answers as well as your reply to another user’s answer (recommended on Google Doc or other means) as you will be asked to share this for your Weekly Progress Report.
Question: What to do when you feel you are not good enough for someone?
Provided Keywords: parents, partner, self-esteem, social media, self-worth, good news, best way, first step, human beings, children, therapy, self-love, family members, better person, good time, good luck, inner critic, self-doubt, negative self-talk, real reason, whole life, amazing person, self-confidence, voice, right thing, healthy relationship, great things, information, communication, end of the day
Bonus: Want to put your knowledge to test? Consider joining the Question and Answer (Q&A) Approval Team here and earn cheers for helping approve community answer submissions. You will be using the above knowledge as well as reminders on what makes a good answer. For more information, click here
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This post is brought to you by the Content Development and Marketing Program, find out more information about the program here
@SoulfullyAButterfly
There are times when you feel that you are not good enough for someone. It could be your partner, friends, family members or even your boss. Sometimes it is hard to shake off the feeling of being unworthy, causing us to have low self-esteem. If you’re looking for your self-worth in others, consider this: You must learn to love yourself before you can expect others to love you, too.
The good news is that there are ways to feel good enough for someone. It starts with feeling good enough for yourself. At the end of the day, you don't have the power over the way people think. You do, however, have the power to give yourself self-love. Know that you are good enough for YOU.
@JaneAH87
Great response Jane. I would say it has 3 strengths: it's very empathetic and you understood the question well. Secondly, you don't provide a solution which is the approach we use at 7 cups, you guide them to making their own decisions, and thirdly, it uses the required key words.
However what I would say is expand your key word list as you used self esteem twice and so just try and incorporate more keywords and themes.
But other than that great job.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
What to do when you feel you are not good enough for someone?
You do the best you can when with someone ( a friend, in a relationship etc ) There is only one you and by being yourself others will like you. We may not all agree with each other but by just showing others who you are is important.
Reflect on the conversation that is being discussed, think out your words and express how you feel about the discussion. Be empathetic when someone is down and express how you may handle something as an example.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Question: What to do when you feel you are not good enough for someone?
Provided Keywords: parents, partner, self-esteem, social media, self-worth, good news, best way, first step, human beings, children, therapy, self-love, family members, better person, good time, good luck, inner critic, self-doubt, negative self-talk, real reason, whole life, amazing person, self-confidence, voice, right thing, healthy relationship, great things, information, communication, end of the day
Answer: Sometimes the voice of our inner critic bubbles to the surface. Leaving us with feelings that we aren’t enough for someone else.
A way to start building your self-worth is by re-wiring the negative self-talk that’s occurring. Affirmations do just that. Each day by repeating positive phrases in front of the mirror. It literally changes the way you view yourself. This method is just a baby step towards feeling like you are enough.
Next, I would have you take inventory of your values and what you find important. Is what you want in life in line with this other person’s desires? For instance, parents may have unrealistic expectations of where you are in life. By writing down your values and comparing them to the other persons it allows you to understand you may have different needs and wants. Which is perfectly normal. It can be difficult coming to terms with not accomplishing what someone else wants for us. But once, your able to come to terms with this you are able to feel more secure in who you are and it helps you understand you are enough.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
It's really upsetting when you feel you are not good enough for someone or their standards. However, its important to remember self doubt and negative self talk really adds fuel to this. A person who loves you sees the amazing person you are and so its important to remember while its hard to see beyond the flaws in ourselves sometimes, the healthy and necessary thing to do is to remember we are human and those who love us will love us unconditionally and you don't prove your worth to them.
@dreamRainbows3245
Hi, I really liked this response!
It is very empowering, especially the final few sentences, it encourages a sense of knowing your self-worth and not listening to those who doubt it.
I also liked the start and how you began by relating to the reader in making them feel less alone in being upset about the issue. I would say as feedback, maybe a response that includes more of the keywords although I know this can be hard to do.
There are many reasons which can make a person self-doubt himself/herself. It is important to maintain one’s self-esteem for a healthy life. It is normal for human beings to get a feeling of not being good enough – for their children, partner, parents etc, and many a times they almost live their entire life having self-doubt. A lot of times ones inner critic leads to negative self-talk and just end up your whole life stuck in a pattern. The first step towards making a progress is to communicate with family members/friends and ask questions. In case of a conflict, having a voice and maintaining self esteem is important for any healthy relationship. If talking with friends and family doesn’t work, go for therapy to find out the real reason. You can find many therapists online and via social media. The best way is heal is self-love. As they say, you need to love yourself to love others. At the end of the day, you will become a better person doing great things. Good Luck!
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Question: What to do when you feel you are not good enough for someone?
Provided Keywords: parents, partner, self-esteem, social media, self-worth, good news, best way, first step, human beings, children, therapy, self-love, family members, better person, good time, good luck, inner critic, self-doubt, negative self-talk, real reason, whole life, amazing person, self-confidence, voice, right thing, healthy relationship, great things, information, communication, end of the day
I think it is very easy to develop an internal voice that makes you feel like you're not good enough for someone. Self-doubt is very common, you are certainly not alone in feeling this way. However, the first step to take in channeling this is to ask yourself, who or what is making me feel this way? It could be a partner, a parent, social media, a family member, or just your own inner-critic trying to deal with self-esteem issues. In my own personal experience, I found that the real reason I was being so harsh on myself was that I was always comparing myself to others, which can be extremely damaging negative self-talk. In order to combat these thoughts, I would reaffirm that I am my own amazing person and I should have confidence in my own character. Ultimately, another person's beauty, humour, or intelligence doesn't indicate the absence of your own and you have to learn to recognize all of the beauty inside and outside of you for yourself, rather than for someone else.
@Womerz very insightful answer. 3 strengths i notice from your answer is that you use words that could be digested simply, it shows compassion and mindfulness towards the other person, and it's short but quite effective. The thing that i thought could be improved is you could try to include a more general cause of the problem and provide more keywords in your answer👍
@Womerz
Well done! Everything in the answer, be it sharing your personal experience or empathy has been penned down well.
Question: What to do when you feel you are not good enough for someone?
Provided Keywords: parents, partner, self-esteem, social media, self-worth, good news, best way, first step, human beings, children, therapy, self-love, family members, better person, good time, good luck, inner critic, self-doubt, negative self-talk, real reason, whole life, amazing person, self-confidence, voice, right thing, healthy relationship, great things, information, communication, end of the day
Answer: It's normal as a human being to have self-doubt about ourselves as our entire life we're taught to put our value on others, be it at school, at home as family member(s), at the workplace, etc. We live in a world where there are standards that need to be met and those standards normally decide the amount of one's self-worth. When you feel like you're not good enough for someone, often times those feelings came from the pressure you put on yourself to match the standard that you think matters and that causes you to have negative view about yourself.
You need to know that everyone is different, unique, and amazing in each own way. So, be kinder to yourself, accept and love every little perfection and imperfection that you have. Build a healthy relationship and communication with yourself because at the end of the day, the only voice that matters and you hear every single day is your voice. If it's so negative, then when will you realize you're such an amazing person that deserves love and adoration? Whenever you feel that you're not good enough, try to avoid comparing yourself to others and start focusing on the good things that you have. My mantra is "You are what you believe" so if you believe in what you think you are, you'll become one😊
@Eartoearth
Great answer Earth. I liked how you empathized and avoided direct advice :)
You made wise use of the keywords.
Good work on adding little tips and your mantra too. It made ur answer personal <3
@Prachi9876
Thankyou for the kind words😊 I tried my best to apply my experience and knowledge into making a helpful answer for people who talk to me.
@SoulfullyAButterfly
What to do when you feel you are not good enough for someone?
As human beings, it is natural for us to seek appreciation from the people we are close to, be it our partner or parents. But sometimes we feel we are not good enough. In such instances, we tend to do negative self-talk which eventually takes a toll on our self confidence.
The first step is-be aware of the inner critic and take the help of therapy (if needed) . The best way would be to become a better person each day and develop healthy relationships with our family members. This would boost our self esteem.
@Prachi9876
please ignore this comment
@SoulfullyAButterfly
(This is my final submission)
First of all, thank you for reaching out and asking this question. It shows your strength to confront these things head on in order to overcome them.
Secondly, we as human beings are social animals. It is natural for us to seek appreciation from the people we are close to, be it our partner or parents. Ever since we were children, our behaviors were very much related to the appreciation we would receive.
With the rise of Social media and the internet, it has become easier to share snippets of our life, we post about our good news with our family members instantly. Everything is just “one click away”, isn't it? This has reduced the gap in various aspects- be it communication, attention, appreciation or validation. Although, this need takes an ugly turn and affects us. In such instances, we tend to compare our lives and do negative self-talk which eventually takes a toll on our self confidence. We weigh our self worth in the metrics of likes and comments and then it plays with our self esteem. Dont worry its normal, even I feel this sometimes. Having said that, at the end of the day we want to lead a great life and be an amazing person that we are, so how to deal with these feelings?
The first step to be rational would be to ask yourselves the right questions - Why am I feeling the way I am? Is this feeling temporary? What exactly is “not good enough''? How often do I feel this? Is this feeling something that has happened recently or I feel this constantly? The voice inside us will help us answering them.
The second step is to find the underlying real reason behind the answers.
The best way that works for me with this step is to write down the answers to these questions and analyse myself, be aware of the inner critic or take the help of therapy (if needed). Identify my thinking pattern and give them proper labels. It was difficult at the start but got easier eventually.
In this age of the internet, where there is a free flow of information, you can make use of the technology at hand to the fullest. For example, sites like here at 7Cups offer help via one-on-one chats, community forums and other resources as well. If you are interested in resources, 7 Cups has a wonderful guide on the topic. It includes some exercises that have helped others manage them in a better way , including this exercise to challenge one's inaccurate thinking. You can also reach out to listeners and talk 1-to-1 here. You can also give a try to mindfulness exercises that helped me personally. PS1: I have kept the keywords in bold. PS2: Please let me know about the feedback and areas of improvements. PS3: Resources are underlined and hyperlinked.
@Prachi9876
PS1 and PS3 well noted. I saw the keywords 👍 the paragraph is empathetic, no direct advice and share tips. Well done.
PS2: we will reach out to you for Coursework Completion Quiz feedback 😊 Great going, Prachi!
@SoulfullyAButterfly
Question: What to do when you feel you are not good enough for someone?
Provided Keywords: parents, partner, self-esteem, social media, self-worth, good news, best way, first step, human beings, children, therapy, self-love, family members, better person, good time, good luck, inner critic, self-doubt, negative self-talk, real reason, whole life, amazing person, self-confidence, voice, right thing, healthy relationship, great things, information, communication, end of the day
The race in life has disappointments and I can understand what you are going through. Not being good to someone important can bring in negative feelings and result in overthinking, negative self talk, criticizing yourself, trying to adjust every time and not having time for self love.
I hope you understand that you are not alone, and it's alright to feel this way. Countering negative feelings with positive ones can help. See how you can counter lack of communication, is there any misunderstanding? Do you regret something? What makes you think you are not good enough? What is one small step that will make the person happy?
I hope it turns out well, all the best. We are here for you.