Introducing our Featured Support Teams!
It is the week of our Support Team Festival and I hope that all of you are excited for all the activities and discussions that we have lined up for you! ^_^ Great thanks to the Depression Support Team, LGBTQ+ Support Team, Anxiety Support Team, Student Support Team, Disability Support Team, Relationship Support Team and Compassion Corner Support Team for helping out with the organising of their teams so that we can bring out the best of our support teams for all of you! 
In this post, we will be introducing all of you our featured support teams this week and letting you know more about the teams! 
Do stay tune for more information each day and do leave some feedback for the teams (Please do "Reply" to the individual support team's forum post directly to avoid cluttering) if you have gone to one of their support sessions! ^_^
Depression Support Team
The Depression Support Team was one of the first support teams here on 7 Cups and it has really been a rewarding journey so far! We are mostly focusing on leading support sessions in the depression support rooms, trying to give people a safe space to share their struggles, feel less lonely with their pain and support each other. The team has undergone some changes through the months and while only a handful of the original members still are around, the team is strong, reliable and very skilled. @Dillion and I are leading the team at the moment, but it is really team effort to get the depression rooms be supportive and good places. The awesome people leading the support sessions are @fluffyUnicorns84 @caringHoliday93 @PolarCat @Nagisa @HardLuck @BabyBlue @beYOUtywithin @YayyySphere @TheThomas (and also some people taking breaks right now, but who are going to be back soon: @wonderfulPumpkin71 @MimiGrace @calmRose33 )
-Written by @MissZ (Depression Support Team Leader- Adults)
The Depression Support team plays a very important role in the recovery of the many users of our website. There are so many teenagers out there who go through upsetting times with nowhere to turn. Its great that we have so much support for them that is easily accessible, right at their fingertips through weekly discussions in which everyone and anyone is more than welcome to attend and participate in, or even just watch and listen in to realize that they are not alone in their struggles. The team works so hard to provide the best support in our power and I cant thank everybody enough for the hard work they do for us in the community. Huge thanks to: @BrianH @Diandra @Cory @Hopemaybloom @Irishrose2016 @Istand4peace @ItsJoel @Liv @MidniteAngel @RainbowAri @Sarra @WonderfullyYou ; this wouldnt be possible without all of you.
-Written by @IrishRose2016 (Depression Support Team Leader- Teens)
LGBTQ+ Support Team
We are the LGBTQ+ Support Team! A large part of our engagements flows into leading guided discussions in the LGBTQ+ Support Chatroom. LGBTQ+ is a frequently sidelined subject, and our discussions aim to create an environment that is inclusive and yet mindful and appreciative of our differences and individualities, where questions can be asked and answered, where support and information are easily obtainable and exchangeable, and where commonly marginalised topics can be talked about openly and respectfully.
We strive toward maintaining a safe haven where members can find community that does not only promote tolerance but also acceptance, regardless of ones gender identity and expression, attraction, orientation and biological sex. Or in other words, as a quote adorning our team spreadsheet puts it so eloquently and light-heartedly: we wish to create an environment where people can talk about being bisexual homoromantic demi-femme like it's no different from having brown hair.
Since July 2016, we have been expanding and transferring those aims to the LGBTQ+ Community Chatroom as well, where the already established supportive community ties of our members can be additionally strengthened and deepened. We - @CalmSunset, @charmingUnicorn97, @cinnamoncocoa, @HardLuck, @ItsJustMekitty, @MonkeyPineMarten, @OceanChild, @Oliver12, @Probius, @Seraphimon, @soothingpurrr, @TheThomas, as well as @BurningEmber and @JaceofSpades who are on a break, and @Lee who is leading our team in the meantime - are glad to join them in there!
-Written by @OceanChild (LGBTQ+ Support Team Member- Adults)
The LGBTQ team is one of the most important teams here on 7 cups of tea. When alex offered me to take over while Jace was on break I felt honoured to be involved with this support team. I am not really that experienced with LGBTQ+ but since joining it I have learnt so much and I am excited to learn more about the topic. We keep on growing and growing and it's amazing!!! We have some awesome people that lead discussions. A few of the amazing team members are @ItsJoel @NiaS29 @Katyrt @RainbowAri @HopeMayBloom @BrianH @Elixxir
-Written by @Cory (LGBTQ+ Support Team Leader- Teens)
@OceanChild how do I become a member of the lgbtq+ support team?
Hey @Silverlining1512, it's lovely to see that you're interested in the support teams! You can find more information about the teams (including LGBTQ+), their criteria and corresponding application forms here. :)
While being a Group Support Moderator is a prerequisite for joining a support team, listeners are an integral and much appreciated part of keeping our chatrooms supportive and welcoming. You are more than welcome to join them before embarking upon the role of a moderator and support team member, and you can also always message me for more input or if you are keen on co-leading a discussion!
Anxiety Support Team
Anxiety is present in all of us - whether it's through stress, nervousness, or any other form of unique anxiety. A lot of the time, especially with Teens, it's with us without us even realizing it. Our Teen Anxiety Support Sessions are designed to give Teens the opportunity to open up about their anxiety or symptoms of their anxiety in a safe and nurturing environment. Through collaborative group discussions, Support Sessions are lead by strong, knowledgeable, and skilled discussion leaders who embrace everyone's differences and encourage participants to open up about their experiences! We create a free, accessible, and welcoming place for those who experience anxiety, and we're always glad to see returners come to support sessions week after week to seek a listening ear in a group setting. I would not be able to write these words today if it wasn't for our wonderful discussion leaders, who are responsible, committed, energetic individuals who bring light to the Anxiety Support chatroom with every support session they do. These individuals are: @Diandra, @Liv, @KatiexxMarieee, @MidniteAngel, @Hopemaybloom, and @Elixxir. (@ItsJoel is taking a short break from the team at the moment, but they'll be back to join us real soon.)
-Written by @Alex (Anxiety Support Team Leader- Teens)
@YayyySphere awe we love you Alex <3
Disability Support Team
Disability Support Group is dedicated to providing information, support, and awareness . The team aims to support people with disabilities and share knowledge to those who are unaware of different cases and conditions to be more sensitive in dealing with them. We aim to assist people to feel confident in:
Enabling them to realise their full potential throughout their life
Working together to give the full support they need through discussions, sharing, forums, and even 1-on-1 with a listener. The support group also aims to represent the needs, views and opinions of people with disability or carers to ensure their voice is heard. To achieve this we schedule discussions weekly, update forums, and refer to listeners who are suitable or at least have an idea of disability. It is important for the team to include them in the community, to have social interactions with others , most importantly is to spread awareness to everyone. The team members are working together to achieve the said goals.
Members are:
@Katheryn
@AutumnLeigh
@MadiAsaHatter
@peacfulSoul8
@RJordan
@Jarysa
@calmRose33
@coolviberations
@TheGoddessOfFlowers
@FrenchMarbles
@Mokie
@ApricityLife
@Jack
@BurningEmber
@MonkeyPineMarten
@KRN
-Written by @KRN (Disability Support Team Leader- Adults)
Relationship Support Team
As a team we're trying to cover all the relationships categories not just as in relationship with a partner. We have an awesome team split into discussion leaders and discussion writers and we're also trying to cover the relationship sections in the forums. Some of my members I can't say because they're all amazing! We have @Anggi @kdog334 @TheThomas @Sventek @Aspire2Motivate @Legionnaire1 @whymike @RideaRainbow - I want to thank @RideaRainbow especially because she was very enthusiastic and excited and once the team started, she went all the way from day one! and @TheThomas for working on this awesome festival idea!
-Written by @Matildah (Relationship Support Team Leader- Adults)
When one hears the word "relationship" it is not uncommon for the mind to associate the word with "romantic". As teens, romantic relationships can be either the best things that happen to us or the worst things that happen to us. But we're also providing support in any kind of relationship, whether it's a friendship, partnership, or family ties. Our Relationship Support sessions are to give users the chance to be open and realize that they are not alone in their struggles. A huge thanks to @Cory, @Emily619, and @MidniteAngel. I cannot emphasize enough how important your work is to our community.
-Written by @Diandra (Relationship Support Team Leader- Teens)
Compassion Corner Support Team
The name says it all! We're a team who spreads positive energy, self-love, and compassion all over the room! We have fun, and awesome discussions covering all the types of self love and care, exploring ones self and compassion and so many other cool things! As a team I think we help with bringing more positive energy to the room, I love hosting discussions there and I'm sure all of the team does, it's just a lovely room. If I can squeeze into a hug I would! We have @YayyySphere, thank you for this awesome festival. @Nagisa who has been with us since day one for this team! The awesome @Helena and @HardLuck!
-Written by @Matildah (Compassion Corner Support Team Leader- Adults)
