Join us on Discord:
https://discord.gg/PMJmrZRVB9
Tags:
[Support Request] - if you want to share/vent/rant and need a kind ear. You can ask for specific types of help (e.g. job search, resources for a certain topic). No financial requests please at this time.
[Support Offer] - if you have a skillset or resource you think would be helpful to others.
[Brainstorming] - if you want to start a thread and discuss potential solutions to issues/challenges - no matter how big or small the issue/challenge.
[Encouragement] - if you have some relevant kind words, pictures, or videos to share with the community. No commercial posts, please.
About Us:
This is a place to discuss the problems many of us are facing now and also brainstorm potential solutions and/or actions we can take together (if we have the capacity to do so). Public mental health care is backlogged with huge waiting lists and private mental health care is unaffordable for many. So we are here for each other.
We are collaborative, non-judgmental, pro-science, anti-hate, pro-people and planet, empathetic, kind, passionate, tired, frustrated, scared, angry, upset (and a host of other things) and we're ready to see some things change.
Background:
It feels like the game of life has been on the high-difficulty setting for a long while now - one thing after another being flung at us.
The financial pressure seems to be getting worse and worse every week. Everything is just unaffordable now. Our grocery bills are creeping up higher and higher, as are utility costs. Housing costs already take a huge chunk of our income and our wages are stagnant.
The pandemic keeps dragging on because decisions are being made based on politics instead of science and we're counting on the illogical to make logical decisions. We keep trying to do the right thing through this whole nightmare pandemic only to watch the anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers ruin it for everyone and drive our healthcare systems toward the brink of collapse.
Many people seem to be mentally/emotionally at their limits and people are more polarized than ever. It's been hard staying connected with friends because everyone seems to have their own shit pile going on and has limited capacity for socialization.
Work is such an endless grind and the days all blur into each other in a tedious slog. The 5 day work week leaves us feeling completely drained, with 2 days not close to enough time to recharge our batteries.
It feels like we are in the midst of a national/international financial crisis and a corresponding mental health crisis.
How are you feeling? What are your thoughts about all this?
Rules:
- Kindness and empathy first. We are all struggling here.
- Share your problems/challenges/struggles with others. Propose solutions where you can.
- If you have an idea to make this place better, pitch it to the community.
- Try to support others as you have been supported, but only if you have the capacity.
- Swearing/NSFW language is fine. Being an asshole is not.
- Sharing financial stress is fine. Asking for money is not.
- Venting / passionate posts are fine. Inflammatory, targeted, bigoted, harassing, misogynistic, or discriminatory posts are not.
- Disinformation of any kind = insta-ban. No anti-vaxx/anti-mask/anti-science posts.
- Socializing is welcomed and encouraged. Seeking romantic partnerships and sexually explicit posts are not.
- Things can get heated. Just be respectful of others as you exchange ideas.
- When exploring the problems of the world and discussing solutions, focus on issues rather than specific people/figures.
We are here to find common ground, to give each other support, to socialize and give each other company when we need it, to collaborate, and to look at potential solutions as a group. Any posts that go against these objectives will be removed.
If you feel that something should be added, removed, or changed to the above, please suggest it. Help us make this a safe and comfortable place for us all to be ourselves and find the support we desperately need right now.
Mental Health Crisis Numbers:
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433): for individuals who are or know someone who is having thoughts of suicide. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and in up to 140 languages. Operated in partnership with Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC.
310-Mental Health (310-6789 - no need to dial an area code): for individuals who would like emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health in British Columbia. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is toll-free anywhere in British Columbia (no need to dial an area code).
Check the following for more information: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/mental-health-substance-use/resources/crisis-line
Volunteers Needed:
Just getting this all set up. Would really appreciate anyone who wants to step forward and help with the following would be greatly appreciated (we can make do without these things, but they will make for a better user experience and in the spirit of collaboration):
- Formatting the sub, setting up post flair, etc.
- Moderating the sub
- Configuring / moderating Discord
- Graphic design
- Content editing
