Handling Sensitive & Triggering Topics in Group Support
This is a pretty important subject�that I?d like to address with all of you. There is a fine balance between keeping Group Support a safe place and giving members space to express themselves and discuss their problems openly. One issue that crops up frequently is the matter of triggers. Which topics should we consider ?triggering?? Are there certain things that are okay to discuss within reason and where is the line? These are great questions and the answer to this is actually pretty fluid depending on who is in the group and their individual comfort levels. The reality is that something could trigger one person badly, yet not bother another person in the slightest. It?s�not always possible to predict this. Additionally, it can be frustrating for members if they are prevented from discussing an issue they?re comfortable with, for the sake of a person who may or may not be triggered and who may or may not be there.
Right now, we?re moderating potentially triggering topics in a very subjective manner. This can be confusing for members and ammunition for conflict between Group Mods. We really need�to ensure we?re on the same page with this as much as possible. Another part of helping members to feel safe and supported in these rooms is ensuring that we as moderators are consistent and reliable. It is important that you act as holders of the space and form a calm and reassuring presence.
Moving forward, I ask that you do not discourage or prohibit any conversation based on whether or not you personally think it may be triggering. Instead, you should aim to facilitate the discussion. Your role is to proactively steer the conversation in a way that keeps it helpful and supportive at all times.
Note: If you find yourself feeling triggered by a topic as a moderator or a listener, please take a break from the support rooms and reach out to a Peer Supporter.
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Focus�On�Feelings
One way to keep the conversation on track is to keep gently nudging members back to discussing feelings. This is a good way to enable members express themselves, to help them feel heard and understood. This technique can also prevent story-sharing from becoming too detailed or long-winded. For example, if a member starts to give graphic details of a traumatic event, you can jump in and redirect by saying something like:
?It sounds like a really difficult experience. How are you coping with the aftermath of this??
?How have you been feeling since this happened??
Of course, there are times when you may need to redirect the conversation away from a topic completely. For example,�if:
� � � Members express that they are feeling triggered ��
� � � �You notice other members are feeling uncomfortable and/or leaving �
� � � �It becomes very graphic and detailed (such as vivid descriptions of self harm�injuries or a traumatic event)
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In these situations, you can say something like:
?Thank you for sharing, XX. I sense that this conversation is getting a little too heavy for Group Support right now. If you?d like to continue discussing this, you are very welcome to connect 1-1 with a Listener.?
?I want you to feel supported with this, XX. Right now, it seems to be a tough topic for others in the group. How would you feel about connecting 1-1 with a Listener??
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If the member persists after a gentle warning, you may need to be firmer. In those cases you can say something like:
?XX, I?m so glad you?re seeking support for this and you?ve done really well sharing today. As I?ve mentioned once before, we need to move on from this topic now. Please connect with a listener if you wish to explore your experience further.?
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As always, you should continue to warn 1-2 times and mute users if any of the following apply:
� � � �They are abusive to others
� � � �They continue to express suicidal feelings after being referred to the hotline
� � � �They are disrespectful to Moderators
� � � �They are spamming the chat room
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I am really keen to hear about your experiences trying out the above.�Please�leave comments and feedback below.
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(moved by forum teen star @tami150)
very helpful! <3
Really helpful. Thanks!
@Heather I love this - I know you and I had emailed a tiny bit about this, and I've tried it in the chatroom. Most members seemed good with it - other mods, not so much, but hopefully this will help! Thank you so much for all that you do! ❤
Mods are awesome!!! Being new and temporarily doing this totally on the phone app, I was not aware that members actually were in the chatrooms. When I "Oops," they gently guide me. Someday, I will be experienced and please let me thank you all for helping me along!! :-)
I like this idea. Sometimes the issue is that they would feel more comfortable in a group setting so as to not be judged with laser focus one on one but if their issues end up triggering another person then forcing them to face that fear of one of one is eminent.
This is a really helpful post, thank you Heather!
thank you @Heather it is really helpful
I am new to 7 Cups of Tea, but I love how there is always from form of education going on. Learning more ways to help others on this site and in day to day life is so important. Thank you so much for all that you do and keep up the great work!
It was really helpful. I shall make use of it . Thank you :)
Thank you for this post Heather :) It really was helpful amd he thing is, I've been doing this since day one as a mod, ive done alll of this. Until, last night i decided to moderate the waiting room as oplosed to my usual Share your storyor depression room. A girl was speaking about a topic which honestly k did not see as triggering because she was jot bein graphic or highly descriptive, but then in comes a group of listeners telling me, "I cant believe a listener is talking about a triggering topic as this", and i was so confused because in my mind It wasng anything triggering and i was trying to help the member feel better. So they told me that the topic was sexual abuse, but sh wasnt talking about sexual abuse in my opinion..... she was just struggling with her feelings. And they then proceeded to tel the member to go to another chatroom because this wasmt the space for discussing it, so being a fellow listener, i respected their decision and agreed with them, but that totally threw the member off. Then i wemt to a dofferent chat room, the depression one and a member was expressing his feelings of thinking it's unfair to not be ablw to speak about topics in any room they please. And i wanted to make the member feel understood so i said "IKR.. sigh" and was going to finish that by takong the side of my listenes whilst respecting the memver's feelings. But before i can do that one listener from the group that was opposing me before comes and says "Vini, that is not helpful unfortunately" so that was that. I went to check a message that a member sent me and when i came back my messages disappeared , so i didnt bother to ask the listener how i "wasnt helpful". That wasnt one of the best experiences, but oh well. Thats life and i thought i was doing the right thing, and according to this post i did do the right thing, but those listeners thought differently, and me being new here as a mod, listened to them , but felt so offended. :/
From what Iunderstand, isgenerally for light chat and if members want more in-depthdiscussing on certain topics, they can go to the Depression Room or toShare Your Story ?
Yes, but according to this post, it says you can carry on the conversation about the deep topic with a member and just dont let it be descriptive and graphic to trigger others. Because it's really hurtful when a member who doesnt know any better comes into a chatroom for help and the first thing they hear is, "Here is not the place to share such triggering stories, please consider going to the depression or share your story chatroom for further support."
I agree that when members hear something like that, they feel like we aren't welcoming them. There's definitely a good way to go about that. It's depends on the context mostly. The WR lately has been very lively and upbeat, and occasionally a member willlog on and talk about some serious issues. It can seem disruptive to other members and I've seen negative comments made by other members when that happens. I think itbe make the member feel awful both ways, whether we ask them to change chatroom, or have them experiencenegative comments by other members. I thought the WR was for light chat, but I would not turn away members who need to talk in an abrupt manner. I guess it depends on the moderator too.@Heather It might be helpful to include a description of each chatroomand their purpose, so we're all on the same page :) Thanks for your insight, Vini, it's definitely something to think about !
You're welcome Luciole :) and thanks for yours as well, maybe we need to make it more clear as to what each group chat is about to the members before they gain access to it, like when they click on the WR for example, a message pops up on the screen by noni , welcoming them and telling them that this is a place for light chat and it's always upbeat and fun
Yes ! That would be perfect :) It think it would really help the members understand when mods redirect them.
