Friends and Family Community
On the site we now have all these wonderful communities eg.The drug and alcohol addiction community, depression community and eating disorder community to name but a few. However I still see many threads and speak to many members who are not necessarily concerned about themselves (though of course they require our full support as listeners) but rather seek support for loved ones who are going though challenging times.So I was wondering of we could have a community for 'supporters' where they could get advice and help on how best to support those close to them who are struggling with mental health issues and/or difficult life issue while also keeping a healthy balence with their own self care.Any ideas would be wonderful @LauraS
@miracle Sure, i love that idea.
So it would be a support forum category for caregivers. "caregivers support community"
What do you think?
@LauraSyes exactly. @EtaAlpha yes I kind of thought of it being one rather because more specific concerns tend to be attached to specific forums eg.the disabilities one rather I was thinking a whole unique community that highlights the differences between seeking support for yourself and seeking support for loved ones with any issue really.
They could just be threads within the forum then :) I'm wondering though - this might just be me, but caregivers does suggest to me a more long term care commitment? Do you think it might help to make the forum a little less specific, to kind of get across the idea it's for people seeking help for loved ones and also for carers? Just a forum along the lines of 'Helping Others'. I'm not really sure of a good name...
@EtaAlpha I see your point much better now and I agree carer-giver to me also implies long term illness/disability so maybe a slight change in title and yes I sub-forums sounds awesome.
I might be misunderstanding, but this could almost be two separate forums?
Some people might come seeking advice on how to help a friend or family member who's going through a difficult time - and a forum giving advice to these people would be brill!
Perhaps we could also have a forum for long term carers, people caring for a family member with long term mental or physical illness? They would be able to share their experiences and look for support from others? Perhaps share resources they've been able to reach out to?
hi miracle i think a support for carers is a brill idea.
hugs alternativerainbow x x x
