Tips for Global Moderators on How to Mod Specific Rooms
Are you a new Global Moderator or applying to become one? Welcome to the team! We're excited to have you!
We know it can be overwhelming to learn about and become comfortable moderating in all of the different group support rooms. It's important to keep in mind that some subcommunity rooms have specific guidelines and best practices for moderating in that space.
As global mods, it's important to be respectful to the unique users who regularly visit each room. Think of it like you're stepping into their home. It's a special place where users come to feel safe and supported on their individual issues. I encourage you to take time to hang out in each room and get to know the group dynamic before beginning to use your moderation tools in that room. We understand that there are going to be rooms where you feel more comfortable moderating than others. We all have different interests and rooms that we may be drawn to. That's ok! However, as global moderators we require you to be able to adequately assist in any room if a conflict arises. If you encounter a situation where you're not sure how to moderate, step back. PM the support team leader or a member of that team and err on the side of caution and respect.
Do you have questions on how to better moderate a particular room? Ask them here and learn tips from support team leaders of each team.
Hello! For Self-Harm Recovery, right now we have an FAQ page for new mods, along with a team handbook, but that needs updating :o
heyy for Anxiety we do have a short simple guide you can read :) so if unsure please do reach out to me as the rooms Support room leader cheers :)
@CaringBrit heres anxietys guide to how to mod in our rooms plus the training is there or how you can recieve it if you feel its needed
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X35yHDIL1wLbxVOjYLNc2YrllY1a4K5u2ctOnJM1bdw
all of us in Anxiety do request you just dont dive in right away and mod especially if a regular of mod of ours is already in there our members find that triggering so as kate may say in the application be mindful of that please and assist if its required but if unsure then please read this lovely guide me and fluffy adapted together and if you feel you need to go through training theirs a training form at the bottom or pms :) with myself
@Kate Thanks for this opportunity to post about the subcom(s) we work with most. For me it is mindfulness. Of all the things in the Mindfulness Moderation Guide, I think this is the most important
You cannot do effective Mindfulness support if you have never experienced Mindfulness yourself.
So what this means is before even thinking about moderation in mindfulness, it is necessary to attend and participate in one support session. Otherwise it is difficult to experience what a mindfulness support session is like. I learned early (ie the hard way by making mistakes!) that by strictly giving official warnings it actually disrupted the session more than if I had not given the warnings. The verbal warning usually does the trick. I try to be generous and understand where people are coming from before giving written warnings.
This guide is a distillation of a guide that FluffuUnicorn84 did for Anxiety so I do not claim authorship although I did adapt it for mindfulness. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ngKiIWohIjqpadxWI61pgwUIEU6ECfQnVRAY_ybk_wg/edit?usp=sharing
@soulsings actually the credit on the guide goes to @Alex me n fluffy got it then adapted it together
@CaringBrit thanks brit was about to reply same. A big shout out al alex as think his original template become basis for lot of the guides.
@CaringBrit @alex @fluffyunicorn84 thank you so much for all your hard work on the guide. Great job!
For LGBTQ+ Support
Main points:
- Be respectful, the space in the room belongs to the members and it's their place to talk
- If you do not understand a gender/sexuality that is mentioned, either google it or ask about it politely - this is a judgement-free zone!
- If in doubt, pm PhoenixAsh (teens) or Probius or sweetLily41 (adults) ~ if those people aren't available, contact RaCat ^-^
Here is the teen FAQ Guide
Some other resources that might come in handy are the Guide for Trans/Gender Diverse Chats and the LGBTQ+ Community Resources
Hello! I lead the Disability Support and Student Support teams 
The Disability Support and High School Support rooms are currently only open for discussions, so there aren't many times those rooms will lack a mod, since all discussions require at least one mod. For the times that they are open for an awareness day, for example, I've noticed that these rooms tend to have the same overall behavior as the other rooms, so there aren't many special pointers that you'll have to keep in mind. As always, obey the group support rules, and you should be good!
Hello! For Eating Disorder Support, some important points to remember are:
- Avoid mentioning calories/weight numbers and other details such as diets or specific behaviors, as to avoid triggers
- Validate and respect our members, we want to keep it a safe and comfortable place for them
- Since it's a pop-up room, it is only open for discussions. Everyone is welcome to join in and participate, as long as remains understanding. It is a sensitive topic, so that's something to watch out for, if you aren't sure about something or have questions about the topic/how to handle a specific situation, don't hesitate to ask!
You can also review our training guide 
@eviesweet
That is a great guide, I particulary like the examples you give and what to do in those situations,
I think that more examples of situations and what to do, what actions to take, would be great for mods in their training.
@Kate thanks for this thread, I'm learning a lot about rooms in general. :3
The Trauma Support Room is only open at set times and is moderated by set moderators and co hosts from the Trauma community who have received Trauma Training and who are listed under the Trauma Leadership. We feel its important for all those attending our sessions to have regular friendly faces and for the trauma sub community team to provide our members with consistency and stabiity. We ask that any moderators and/or listeners coming into our sessions allow those scheduled to co host and moderate the trauma support sessions to do so, but any moderator or listener is welcome to observe or participate as long as the room remains respectful and supportive at all times. Our members can be very fragile and can be triggered very easily if someone is not knowledgable in trauma issues and how this affects survivors. If you have any questions please pm the community mentor leader @Rain45 or the support team leader present or the moderator during support sessions or open chat taking place.
Giving out warnings in the Trauma community is a last resort. We ask that if there is a trauma mod there, only warnings to be issued by our mods present should they ever be needed. We recognise that some mods may give out warnings for certain behaviours in other communities quicker than we may do in the Trauma community. This is because Trauma survivors often have intense feelings of anger which at times may get directed towards a Trauma team member. This could lead to some uncomfortable situations which could lead to emotions becoming high. What should you take into account regarding anger and why participants may be angry before deciding on what response or course of action to take?
Eg misdirected anger, sabotaging help and support, no one has ever been reliable in their life let alone safe, so why should they trust etc Is it personally directed or anger that feels personal? Person is trying to push you away before you do to them because it's what they have come to expect
Our guidelines which apply to our support room include:
For listeners and members to abide by the 7 Cups main guidelines
Respect for everyone, members and listeners alike
Do not discourage/be unsupportive/blame/judge one another for their past
No graphic, in depth descriptions or pictures which could be triggering for others in the forums, open chat or support sessions
To always add a trigger warning if someone believes their post/thread could be potentially triggering/harmful to those who have suffered traumatic experiences
Everyone is unique and their experiences are individual to them, everyones experiences and how they think and feel about these are valid. Everyone reacts to traumatic experiences differently. This will be respected and appreciated without judgement
Here are some helpful tips/suggestions on supporting Trauma Survivors
Trauma Team Basic Trauma Training for the team (advanced training to take place quarterly on specific topics for the team)
A Group Mod's presence informs and provides structure for how the group will go. For the trauma community, this could be within the open chat sessions, or in the support sessions. People naturally look up to group leaders just as they naturally look up to listeners. This is a good situation and one where a ‘less is more approach is helpful. You are a caring person as you are. You are a good friend. People naturally turn to you for help. Simply be yourself in the group setting and youll do a tremendous amount of good.
We want the members to step into the group and feel safe, validated, understood and to experience emotional relief. We want them to say to themselves I feel safe here. These people get me. I feel understood! I want to help out and give back. That is the aim we are going for!
Goal: As a moderator in the support session room, you will be creating and maintaining a supportive and positive community culture, ensuring the trauma subcommunity guidelines are adhered to, members supportive and respectful towards one another. Part of your role will be enabling members to grow and learn together in a supportive group setting.
Aims of a group moderator are to keep the trauma open chat sessions, and support sessions, a safe and pleasant space for members, facilitate positive and helpful discussions in the support room, steer the conversation in an inclusive and supportive direction, act to remove troublemakers and trolls, and to offer all the support the members need.
@Rain45 I fully agree and Comply Chiefaroonie.
@Rain45 Thank you!!! This is incredibly helpful.
@Kate No worries
This is super helpful! I was going to post about Trauma in here, but seems like you got it all covered!
Thank you so much, Rain! @Rain45
@AnyaS Thanks Anya :)
@Rain45 I agree with your ideas about trauma support sessions. I find that this applies to Mindfulness sessions because of the open way they are handled and people make themselves open and vulnerable. Thanks for this post.
Adapted what you said:
"Giving out warnings in the Mindfulness Support community is a last resort. We ask that, only warnings to be issued by our mods present should they ever be needed. We recognise that some mods may give out warnings for certain behaviours in other communities quicker than we may do in the Mindfulness community. This is because this could lead to some uncomfortable situations which could lead to emotions becoming high and an even greater disruption of the discussion than the disrupter intended. Talking around disruptions can be effective short term solutions. It is important to take into account the whole effect on the discussion of giving warnings by people other than the discussion leader can defeat the purpose of the support session."