Is it ok to always depend on this site when you feel down?

It's definitely okay to come here and chat with a Listener as much as you would like but if you feel you need advice from a therapist then that's what you should do. You have to remember that we aren't licensed and can't diagnos anything. We are just here so that you can have someone comfortable to talk to in an anon, judgement free area :)

We are always here for you and want you to feel supported when you feel down. But I think 'always' can be unhealthy too. If you find yourself spending your entire day on your computer or phone and getting online support, you may be shutting out the rest of the world. Take a chance sometimes and talk with family or friends you trust. Take care!

It is perfectly okay to come here whenever you are feeling down, in fact it's wonderful that every time you can identify negative feelings or emotions within yourself you decide to turn to a place of help! We very much encourage that here and there's no shame in needing a boost or tune up with your emotional/mental well being, no matter how often that may seem to be.

I don't think complete dependence is a good thing. It sets the stage for a sort of co-dependency relationship. I think the site can augment the services that the member/guest is already receiving. It can also be a resource to fill the gap until professional services are set up. If a member/guest just struggles from time to time, or if they are on a path to maintain their progress with mental health treatment, then this is a good resource to have. It's a safe place to vent and know that someone cares about them.

I personally think that in the long run, building healthy coping mechanisms to confront life will be the best defense to overcoming everyday obstacles. Whether this site helps you achieve that or not will depend on the receptiveness of the individual and the group effort of compassionate people willing to lend an ear on 7 Cups. Whatever works for one person may not for another, so it is up to the individual to determine what their best relief is.

I think to always depend on it is a bit of an extreme. This site can do plenty of things. Practically everything! But the time that I've been on here for... Quite a long time [First frequently as a guest for two years, a member for 6 months, a listener for 6 months, and back to using my member account again for help on recent Trauma]. And as fun and as helpful as it has been, there's also times where I knew I needed other things to depend on when I felt down. I still even do. Sometimes not even a community of wonderful and welcoming people can help you in these low moments, as stressful and frustrating as it is for both parties to come to that realization. And I'm not even questioning the validity of the work here at 7Cups. I've seen the things it's done for me and the things it's done for other people, and it works wonders. Although I feel as important it is to have this site as a site you can depend on when you feel down, I also feel it is important to be able to depend on yourself, as cheesy as that might be. I mean, what's the point of a personal growth path if you can't allow it to teach you how to cope on your own, how to manage on your own, how to live through these moments of feeling down? Although you know, if depending on yourself or the resources around you don't work as well as 7 Cups does, then I suppose that's okay too. I just feel that sometimes we need to learn how to be there for ourselves and to depend on ourselves to know how to cheer up when we feel down. Even if that means we just sit down and curl up with a blanket and a book, or watch a show, or if we pull our sneakers on and go for a walk. I think it's just nice to know that you're always your #1 supporter in cloudy times.

Using this site is just one of many options available. Talking to family and close friends, spending more time outside the house, trying to find a meetup/group of others facing similar problems and seeking medical help if needed are others. This site is one step among many.

This site is awesome for providing support when you're down, and I know I've relied on it a lot through my times of struggle. But you always want to find other ways to aid yourself, in case you're in a position where you aren't able to use 7cups at the time you're down

I feel like some things you have to try to deal with by yourself. However, it's always nice to have someone to talk to when you need them. Specifically here, you can talk anonymously and don't have to work about judgement.

This site is a tool, not a solution. We can be there for you, support your decisions, give you pointers, but we can't be right next to you all the time. So in that sense, depending on this place, however great it might be, won't give you the same satisfaction you could gain by depending on yourself while using 7cups and other ressources as tools. It seems to me by your phrasing that you already know this, deep down. Best wishes!