Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

[Former-Member]

Welcome @whatsinaname thanks for joining tonight 😄 

Awesome tip too thanks!

[Shaz51]

hello @whatsinaname 

[MDT]

Evening all 🙂

[Former-Member]

Okay for everyone joining in and those who have already arrived @Shaz51 @outlander @whatsinaname @Adge @BlueBay  

The first question for tonight is centered around the idea of values.

What values do you think are the most important for our online peer support community? For example, some might say respect between members; or holding space for their peers to feel heard.

What is an important value for you within online peer support?

[Former-Member]

Welcome @MDT 

[MDT]

@Former-Member

I think we need to assume the best in people here. Sometimes it can be hard to understand what others mean as this is a text based medium where normal human interaction isn't applicable. Sometimes we might say stuff that upsets or misleads. So rather than react to it negatively it pays to wait a few minutes and then read what the person said.

[BlueBay]

Hi @Former-Member 

for me I feel respect.  Respect each other   We are all dealing and coping with our mental illness in different ways. 

Also answer direct questions to another forum member. Ignoring the questions is totally invalidating the person. Very hard to accept. 

[Former-Member]

Nice one @MDT so the value of kind of giving a fellow forum member "benefit of the doubt"? 

[CheerBear]

Hiya everyone 👋 Looking forward to tonight (if my kids let me have some space to join in!).

@Former-Member I think a value that stands out as being important to me is respect. Part of that is compassion for others and for the 'stuff' we all have going on and the way it can impact us.

[Former-Member]

Yes respect is a really core basis and probably requires more consideration in an online environment @BlueBay  Thank you for sharing. Sometimes it can be tricky in online communities where people use the platform differently, i.e. some people may not check their notifications or may forget to respond. Can be challenging - thank you for raising this one.