My #1 tip, link or suggestion for all new 7 Cups users is.....

Say ur heart out

Never make yourself feel overwhelmed , and make sure you leave time for yourself.

New Listeners Tip - It's really easy to give advice. Challenge yourself to LISTEN and not try to problem solve.

New Members/Guests Tip - DO RESEARCH. You wouldn't go to a therpist without checking them out first. Treat this the same. Don't just jump into queue.

Run while you still can

@Laura

Get involved! There is so much happening and more than just the chat rooms and 1-1 chats! :) There are great forums, events and friendships!

I would have to say that as a newcomer I found the site very helpful but overwhelming. My advice would be to take your time and move at your own pace.

I had to start with just doing the daily check-ins. I set a goal to do them everyday while I had my morning shake. After doing that a few days, I found that I was able to read and respond to some of the easier questions and posts. Then, I started doing some of the growth path exercises. (these were really helpful for me) Now I actually have a comfort on the site and am not so intimidated by it all.

Another thing I would recommend. Have a journal handy. I find that sometimes I read a post and I have a feelings or thoughts about it but I don't feel comfortable posting. In those situations it helps to write down the thoughts and feelings that I have on the subject, just to get it out of me. I can later use these entries as part of my own therapy program.

@Laura

Dear newbies!

First I'd like to give you a warm welcome to 7Cups!

It's great that you want to help and grow at the same time! :)

During my time on 7Cups so far, I met amazing people and I helped a lot of people (I at least like to think I did hehe)

My #1 Tip would be that you shouldn't be afraid of reaching out! If you are struggling with a situation whether personal or because you don't know how to help a member/guest, you can always join a Listener support group chat. It's packed with wonderful people ready to reach out! All you gotta do is ask if anyone is up to listen and voila! It's normal to at first feel like you're not doin enough or that you don't know how to do it, eventually you'll get a hang of it as long as you ask for help or look around 7Cups own very useful resources. It helps a lot. :)

Best of luck,

Wallflowered77

There is not much I can say, for I am new myself.

However, something that I would suggest is to keep a word document of:

1. All of the calling lines and links to websites you could suggest to your patient in case their situation requires more than just active listening so that you can quickly copy and paste for convenience (such as the suicide hotline, self-harm line, depression website links, and therapists page)

2. A list of opening lines, empathy lines, closing lines, subjects, and other key phrases that may help you if you feel you are stuck in a conversation and don't know where to go next, or just until you feel confident in your communication.

First off, welcome to the community! You are needed and appreciated, and I have an immense respect for all who selflessly give of themselves and their time (which is a most valuable commodity indeed, as it's one thing we cannot get back). SO.. three 'lil tips from your favorite feline fanatic:

#1: PACE YOURSELF.

It is far too easy and sadly far too common for new Listeners to dive headfirst into the task because they enjoy the feeling of helping others, then take on too much too fast and burn out quickly never to be seen again. Self care is SO important, and there is nothing wrong with taking things slowly and taking the time to interact with the listener community as well as the member community to learn more, relax, connect with a mentor, or even pitch in with events and fun activities just for the listeners! 7Cups is a large community with an extremely diverse amount of things you can participate in, not just member chats. Take breaks, and make sure you are keeping yourself in good mental and emotional health and well-being to be the best you can both for yourself and to help other to the best you can! You deserve it as much as they do!

# 2: Start with the Community Guide training! (<<<Link)

The vast majority of the most common questions I have seen get asked in the Listener Support Room involve blocks on members, suicidal chats, referring members to other listeners, abusive members, and a lot of other "What do I do?!?!?" scenarios from new listeners that need help in the middle of a difficult chat. This training (which gives you a shiny new Badge for your profile when completed!) will give you the rundown on what to do in these situations, listener policies and rules for difficult members and tough situations, and resources you can save to bookmark and refer to later to call on when you need to refer a member to an approriate off-site emergency service as well as the steps you should follow while doing so. Not only will this prepare you for the worst, it'll get you ready to be the best!

#3: REMEMBER THAT WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT AND LISTEN, NOT ARGUE OR ADVISE.

While we can lead others to self-revelation and discovery of answers on their own, providing direct advice or telling a member what they should do is a no-no and can be a hard habit to break! Similarly, speaking to someone who has viewpoints that DRASTICALLY conflict with your own or even outright offend you can and will happen; We must remain objective and non-judgemental, and above all else professional.

-Happy Listening, and good luck! We're all here for you!

Take on roles with great responsibility and commitment And please don't flitter from role to role and run after badges its the difference you make in people's lives that matters. The above sums up my presence on 7cups.