Where to draw the line for what constitutes as advice?

I don't think it is possible to have complete clarity on what advice is.

Many listeners, perhaps most, simply ignore what the training says and give advice anyway. Sometimes this is hilarious. In the forums I've seen listeners write things like:

"I cannot give you any advice. You should..."

When I did a mock chat to get verified, I was criticized for failing to give advice.

So I think it's fair to say that straight up advice is pretty common, like:

"You should take your medication."

However, many listeners package their advice so it doesn't look do advicey. There are many ways to do this.

Listeners who like to advise other listeners often advise us to package advice as a suggestion:

"It's only a suggestion, but maybe you should take your medication."

Or as an option:

"One option would be to take your medication."

You can also package it as a personal opinion:

"I am not an expert, but it seems to me that taking your medication would be a good idea."

You can relate it to your own experience of life:

"In those situations I always make sure I take my medication."

Or you can word it like a simple statement of fact:

"People who take their medication usually find it helpful."

Some of the more edgy techniques include emotional manipulation:

"I will be so proud of you if you take your medication."

Emotional blackmail:

"I will worry about you unless you take your medication."

And gaslighting:

"It's only your illness that stops you taking your medication."

This is by no means an exhaustive list! There are many ways to package advice so as to make it seem less advicey.

Personally, I freely contribute ideas and interpretations in chats. Sometimes these are interpreted as advice, but in general I get a low rating for helpfulness because I genuinely try not to solve people's problems for them. The line I try not to cross is the line between just listening and feeling I know the solution.

(In the particular case of schizophrenia, the use of medication is very controversial. I think our guide is badly written, but that's another matter.)

@Jay102

I think that the general rule, which should be applied, is that a listener must not ever propose any solutions towards a guest/member. The guest/member is encouraged to vent about their situation, in order to hopefully come up with an appropriate, and a personal solution(s) to their own problem/set of problems. It should be avoided, to ever advise a guest/member about what he or she "should do." This is something which he or she must come up with, on their own.

I often in chats, refer guests/members to self-help guides, and relevant forum communities, near the end of the chat, for further guidance, and knowledge.

@Jay102

Hi Jay, I have PM'd you a few resources. Hope you find them to be helpful. Also, as a mentor, I can answer any other questions you may have, do a practice mock chat with you and I can certainly share more resources. Please feel free to reach out!

@Jay102 I am not afraid to blur the line on advice. Often if you don't offer up some kind of suggestion or idea the member becomes very frustrated.

@Jay102

This information was very helpful. Thank you very much,

Well i feel better now :)

:)