Group Support Reminders: Sharing Circle & Generalizations

Hello everyone, I hope you are well. I was reaching out to check in with you 1-1 and I received some lovely feedback as well as some thoughts to make things better for everyone. So here are a few gentle reminders and recommendations. I would appreciate your support and cooperation in making it happen with an immediate effect.

• When someone enters the sharing circle or another chat room expressing suicidal thoughts, it is important to show that we care and to gently ask them to please seek crisis resources elsewhere, as 7 Cups is not a crisis resource. While it is imperative to express to them that they must log out and seek crisis resources, it is equally important to be gentle and caring and not too abrupt in our approach so that they know they are not being brushed off. It should be expressed that we are not trained to help them with suicidal thoughts and want them to get the best-trained care possible. They can also be told to come back and share with us once they are feeling that they are out of the crisis.

There is a paragraph in the sharing circle script that does this well. Please use this when possible.

“(insert username), it sounds like you’re going through a difficult time right now and may be in need of help that we are not able to provide. As we are concerned for your safety and you expressed that you’re feeling suicidal, we would have to ask you to reach out to our crisis resources here: 7cups.com/crisis. We want to ensure that you get the best possible support since we are not trained to handle crisis situations.”

• It is important for everyone in the sharing circle to know/remember that the sharing circle's purpose is to allow people to feel heard and supported. It is not to give/get advice or solutions. A sharing circle is a judgment-free place. If someone feels compelled to give advice or judge, it would be asked that instead, you remain quiet and support them with encouragement.

• Refrain generalizations and offer gender-neutral support.

Mental health challenges and struggles don’t really have a gender. The demographic and proportion of challenges may vary but everyone experiences challenges. And that’s why we offer compassionate listening and support to everyone. We are an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed to share and seek support.

So, I recommend and encourage everyone to discourage any form of gender-biased opinions and thoughts. Everyone deserves support.

Changes do not happen magically just like that. It starts somewhere. If we want our world to be a supportive place to live, we have to start somewhere. Let’s start taking our steps together and making group chatrooms a better place for everyone. The reminders are applicable to everyone from members, and listeners to chatroom moderators. I appreciate and am grateful to all of you. Thank you for being here with us.

@Help127 @GoingSafari @Sher217 @Erato @Kieran000 @cuteorange213