Room Announcement
Hello everyone! I have an important update to make on group rooms.
Did you know that the first room opened at 7 Cups was a waiting room for members to wait for an available listener? Things have come a long way since then. Just as we did then we are always looking for ways to improve the support we provide. We have been investigating what parts of the group support model works and what does not through usage, moderation statistics, and general room health. What weve found is that having moderated discussions and open chats are the most supportive and safe opportunities, while unmoderated 24/7 chatting results in increased safety and experience issues.
As we move forward as a company with a free emotional support service we have decided on some big changes to elevate our group support experience for everyone who wants a safe and kind experience. Our intention is to do a few things well and focus on emotional support.
Member rooms:
We will have two adult member rooms and two teen member rooms open 24/7 for moderated support. One general support room and one community room. All other rooms will be pop-up discussion rooms. These rooms will all be badge locked to both listeners and members.
Listener badges: Tick Tock ( For reaching Ten 1-1 chats), Thankful Heart (For receiving 5 positive text reviews)
Member badges: Strong Bond 1 (5 chats with 5 Listeners, i.e. 1 chat per listener, 5 total chats), Helpful heart ( 50 Compassion Hearts)
Listener rooms:
In the adult listener community we will continue to have two rooms, Listener Support Room and Listener Community Room. Teens will have Teen Listener Room. The adult Listener Community Room will require the Verified Listener badge. The Listener Support Rooms will be open to all listeners, but will only be used for active chat support.
Timeline:
This change is anticipated to happen in the next couple of days. However if some rooms become unsafe and volatile we may choose to close them early or remove them all together.
Our goal is to focus on emotional support. We are aligning our community features to help us better achieve this. We realize this is a big change that may not suit your preferences. We know you may have questions, especially if you are on a volunteer support team (group support teams read more here). We understand if you decide our free services no longer fit your needs and we wish you the best. However you are feeling please keep our Community Guidelines in mind as you process and move forward with your day. While we always welcome feedback, we expect discussions to not only be civil but also on-topic.
I know dealing with change can be challenging. I appreciate the flexibility as we move things forward. As a quick aside, Im visiting my grandmother (she has been ill) so Ill respond, but might be a bit delayed. The community team will chime in and answer questions as well.
Thank you!
[MonBon added link]
[Jill replaced badge name for members- it is Strong Bond 1 and not 7 day streak)
[Lorraine added badge requirements]
[Tazzie replaced the second badge name for members. It is Helpful Heart]
[MonBon replaced badge name for Listeners. It is Thankful Heart]
[7CupsCommunity modified description of Strong Bond 1 for clarity]
Im unsubscribing to all this chaos
Good luck all
@GlenM With such a big change there really should be better planning. 3 changs to the member badges in 1 day? Or maybe I missed some as this really isn't the priority in my life today but disability support has been taken away so I can't discuss that with those who have done a fair bit of supporting for me.
So are there currently rooms up that I just can't see due to badges? Or are they all down. Just reading through some of these posts and I'm getting conflicted messages haha. Thank you :)
@AdamEmb idk I have the badges but can't get in either
I'm like lowkey freaking out right now group chats were my only form of support. I've had too many bad experiences with listeners to go back to that again. If there is only two chat rooms that means the chat is going to move too fast for anyone to read. There's normally 3 rooms that have upwards of 20 people in them and the other rooms usually have a little less than 10. That many people crammed into two rooms is never going to work and is going to be very erratic and overwhelming for both members and whoever is moderating. RIP group rooms 
@DepressedPegasus couldn't agree more
@DepressedPegasus must admit I do feel for the moderators who will be there as those room locked arent being changed from what I can see.
so do us listeners only have 3 rooms or what?
Going along with other comments: I think this could
@fearlessWriter78
how do they expect us to do that?!?!
This change is not only horribly conceived but was executed with the care of a toddler. For many the community chat rooms were a place to meet people at any time to talk about a sepcific topic, and to ask questions with people connected to that topic.
Now they want to mash all topics into 2 adult rooms? WTF? Those that just barely had the bravery to come forward in a room dedicated to their needs wont open up in a general room. A room where people, random or not, will be a hurdle people wont even try and jump over. I am from the LGBTQ channel and I know from seeing and helping others that many of those seeking help would shut down.
There is also a disparagingly bad ratio of Listeners to "Talkers" seeking help.
This was a crappy idea and one that will push people away from the site rather than invite them in.
@Vrsyren Absolutely agree slove the toddler remark Especially. So accurate.
@Fireskye13 lol meant love the toddler remark smh.
@Vrsyren I agree! Getting rid of chats doesn't make the community stronger but weaker imo.
@GlenM I think I am happy with this change. As a top fan of 7cups, i really do think that this is a great way to aid people. However, some people here are over dependent and they go here most of the time which i think is fine and not good in some ways. Some people must face reality and face tough situations and make a change for themselves such as talking to people face to face. I just think some people are over dependent. Although I am a big fan here and I am glad you created this site. I couldnt be more happier talking to people, helping them, being heard and understood. 
people should realize to see 7cups as a good aid which it is and its resources. However, we need to have boundaries. You also must not become overly dependant here and should act to yourself as well.
@snowneoonbluez43553 and if people, for example in LGBTQ, who are coming out, or confused or scared about how they can come out or exploring something they do not fully understand having a room that is dedicated and filled with people in that community helps them feel safe asking or talking about it because everyone there is part of it with them.
People are not going to feel closer, better, stronger, or more empowered coming out in a mashed room of everything to get help. For some this is a very intimate and personal thing they are processing.
Also, FYI people do talk in the rooms. They ask a lot of questions, they get lots of answers and help.
They do not know where to start and these rooms gave them the courage to start that process. To learn where to go... to know where to look, and how to get as you put it "real" help.
That said there are a lot of people who cannot afford the professional care... shit is the United States health care is ridiculously over priced. For those who cannot afford it 7Cups offers a fall back that gets them through or at least connect with people that can listen and share their expereinces enough to help those who need it and direct those in crisis how to get that immediate help.
@Vrsyrenmy point was just many people are too over over dependent and just stay in their computers without doing something physical. Over dependent was my word. However i am just saying to set some BOUNDARIES as well. :) hugs to you all.
@snowneoonbluez43553 and what I am saying is this safety net of commnunity rooms helped the most vulnerable or in need. Those who;
1) Are minors or children living in ultra or very conservative families or areas where to seek out such help in reality would cause get distress or even result in people being thrown out with no way to survive. Adding to the stress and potential increase in suicides.
2) Are unable to afford proper care due to limited healthcare or lack of healthcare coverage due to employment status or available money.
3) Are scared, confused, or lost about what they are feeling, experiencing, or trying to understand and do not know who to talk to about it or what they are experiences. The LGBTQ for example gave a place for them to go where everyone was like them. They were not weird or different, they were not a sin or bad or ugly. They were like us and us like them. They could feel safe talking to us and finding some sort of help or answers to their questions.
Those are just some examples as to why the safety net here is so important. A lot of people are not over dependant on this system, it is simply the only system they can take advantage of for the time being.
@snowneoonbluez43553 When someone is bedbound, how do they go out and talk to people face to face?
@snowneoonbluez43553 I hardly go anywhere and hardly talk to anyone except for 6 people irl. So the group chat is my socialize time now I'm shut out and no one to talk to,. No offense but finding a listener hasn't really gone well, and there not available 24 7.. To many people in 1 room gets overwhelming not to mention starts making my phone lag.
Heye guys i truly understand your points and i do agree with all. I also do the same, whenever i need someone to talk to, groups are good for me. But we can still talk in groups? However for safety reasons they just needed to restrict it. I am glad i have you all as 7cups buddies. And dear 7cups, i also hope you guys will implement stricter training for listeners as some are really bad and do not reply and stricter privacy policies for members who just want sexual chats.
@snowneoonbluez43553 my point was just many people are too over over dependent and just stay in their computers without doing something physical. Over dependent was my word. However i am just saying to set some BOUNDARIES as well. :) hugs to you all.
@snowneoonbluez43553 how is this going to be safer Exactly?
@Fireskye13 my point was just many people are too over over dependent and just stay in their computers without doing something physical. Over dependent was my word. However i am just saying to set some BOUNDARIES as well. :) hugs to you all.
@snowneoonbluez43553 I get that, I spend alot of time here, this is the 2nd or third post I've seen saying that it'll be safer, I don't see how. Less rooms means more people in 1 room, that's a bad thing imo, I just think this whole thing wasn't planned well. And I'm really not great.
@Fireskye13 i agree with your point and snow's point. You are all on point.
@snowneoonbluez43553 I totally agree. Hopefully they can proviide stricter training for listeners and stricter rules for members. We are all here together to help ourselves and others. Just have respect. Roms are still freakin open but moderated. We all need to act and set boundaries with computers as we are missing out realistic life
@orangeturquioseteal678 I don't have a life. Outside my house and yard I rarely go anywhere, for the most part I talk to 6 people irl that's it, I don't sleep Well so I'm awake alot early morning and being 13 couldn't go anywhere anyway at that time, so having the rooms close is a very bad thing for me.
@snowneoonbluez43553
I'm disabled and have anxiety that is made worse because of my particular disability. How do you suggest I rely less on a place like this when I cannot get out and do the things others do?
Your comment is really insensitive to people with disabilities. Too bad I don't have a room to go to to get away from people who think like you do. Not everyone can get out of the house more and have face-to-face interaction.
@GlenM I think I am happy with this change. As a top fan of 7cups, i really do think that this is a great way to aid people. However, some people here are over dependent and they go here most of the time which i think is fine and not good in some ways. Some people must face reality and face tough situations and make a change for themselves such as talking to people face to face. I just think some people are over dependent. Although I am a big fan here and I am glad you created this site. I couldnt be more happier talking to people, helping them, being heard and understood.
people should realize to see 7cups as a good aid which it is and its resources. However, we need to have boundaries. You also must not become overly dependant here and should act to yourself as well.
@snowneoonbluez43553 hopefully u can also encourage something or make amendments to encourage people to act on their own whilst 7cups is a great aid. I am truly happy here on 7cups. And i think people become sad about these changes when they dont think of my point. It's true right. That we should all see this site as an aid and it really does however must face realistic challenging situations on your own rather than becoming too dependent. Seek people face to face as well as here.
@snowneoonbluez43553
We can't know everything about people that come on 7Cups and what they really need. It's true that it's easy to become dependent on something that we like and think helps us. As I understand your point, not everyone is ready to just go out and handle tough situations and face to face connections (yet). Some people are still recovering from traumas and other hardships and they may not be ready for that, so having a supporting community can help towards handling reality better.
I don't think it's very kind to label people here as "overdependent' or assume they don't do anything physical...we must have empathy for everyone. Some people are very lonely, they don't have friends or anyone. or they are really struggling with depresion, anxeiety etc and they are doing all they can.
@ImaginaryPainting i understand. And i apologize if i have hurt anyones feelings. We are entitled to our own opinion. And i truly rspect others opinion.
The main issue was apparently in group chats some people are trolling and being a bully to others which isnt nice because everyone is encouraged to support and respect here. And the groups must have moderators now to see and control if ever such conflict arise as we all want this to be safe for us and not to get hurt. <3
I can't get any none rooms on both accounts please give me a straight answer and no links thanks