Ideas for Group Discussions

Hi Savannah,Thanks for sharing! I have not dealt with suicidal friends personally, however I can speak to unhealthy friendships. Like many others, I feel like I have gone through many stages throughout my life. So, I have gained friends that think and act similarly to me during those stages. However, as I have grown and changed, the people I had previously enjoyed spending time with may have grown and changed in their own ways - different from me. Sometimes when this happens we have just grown apart naturally. However, I have had to actively end friendships on a couple of occasions. I do not think I did it well, but I needed to move on without that person in my life. I would love to hear more feedback about successful ways people have moved on from toxic or unhealthy friendships! Thanks again for posting Savannah!

Thanks friend

Hi Savannah! Those are really awesome topics and I think it's really relatable to a lot of people, especially teenagers. I'm actually the suicidal friend. Well, I used to be, before I decided to use my bad experiences to inspire and motivate myselfinto helping people with what they're going through instead of ending my life and not giving myself a chance to experience a better future. I think that first topic of yours would really be helpful to a lot of people, especially those who are not experienced in dealing with someone who is depressed.

Your second topic is also really relatable, especially given the emphasis on friendships because when we mention "toxic relationships," usually we only think about romantic relationships. We have to realize that friendships can be toxic too.

When it comes to my suggestions, I really hope we could discuss these topics:

1) Fear of public speaking/giving presentations.

I chose this topic because a lot of people seem to be afraid of giving a speech or presenting in front of a crowd. It seems like a good topic to talk about especially for thosewho have anxiety. I would love to know about helpful methods on how we can be better at those things.

2) Dating a person with a mental illness.

I'm really interested in this topic because I'm Bipolar and I know that I'm kinda hard to handle. My relationships usualy last only for a month or two. I know that a lot of people experience relationship problems due to their mental illnesses especially when it comes to people with depression or bipolar disorder. I really hope we could discuss those topics in the future. :)

I've got a couple ofsuggestions as well:

1. Assertiveness

2. Cultural Acceptance

Dealing with illness or a diagnosis

Setting boundaries in relationship.
Empowering relationships through values.
Providing genuine conversation between listeners and members.

I'd love to see a discussion on labeling theor and how we are affected by it.

An example of labeling thepry:

Once a person is labeled as a criminal (even if they are innocent), it is hard for people to stop thinking of that person as such. That personis then considered a criminal and treated as untrustworthyby others. Eventually, after being labeled as a criminal and called a criminal for a period of time, the person then believes he is a criminal. He/she begins acting as a criminal (perhaps by commiting an act of crime or exhibiting traits expected of someone who has commited a crime) to fulfill the expectations this person has of him/herself and the expectations others have.

I've got an idea.

1. Dealing with the aftermath of abuse.

How to deal with the mess abuse leaves behind.

I have one more suggestion. How about something along the lines of making sure that when other people share their problems and stories, the ones listening don't get triggered too strongly? It's like, being empathetic with certain boundaries and it would be benefial to both listeners and members.

I agree with enigmatix, that seems to come up a lot in the group chats, where people get triggered. Especially late night, where it is more wild or intense discussions.