I think online there’s a tendency for communities focused on mental health to consist of more people who need help than those who are in a position to really give it.
Not that I don’t think there’s value in online communities of people supporting eachother deliberately, but I think it can sometimes be like two people each with a broken leg helping one another.
A person who is in a good state of mental health and equipped to help those who need it isn’t necessarily going to be looking for mental health support communities unless it’s a deliberate calling they have, in which case they probably do it professionally anyway.
This is why I think the go to suggestion ends up being to find a therapist, or someone in your real life that you trust if available. It’s the ideal, if available.
As far as online support, I think the best way is to go to where the mentally healthy people are and form a more organic support network. Try and make friends by doing things online (ex. Participating in hobby forums and discords, joining gaming communities etc.) because then you are more likely to be surrounded by group of average people who can maybe help prop you up indirectly as you form friendships.
I only suggest this because looking back on the most positive and supportive experiences I’ve had online during low points in my life they were with friends I’d met through online communities. Talking in IRC channels, forum DMs, steam chat, discord etc. I was able to lean on those people a bit to get me past the worst of it.
I think online there’s a tendency for communities focused on mental health to consist of more people who need help than those who are in a position to really give it.
Not that I don’t think there’s value in online communities of people supporting eachother deliberately, but I think it can sometimes be like two people each with a broken leg helping one another.
A person who is in a good state of mental health and equipped to help those who need it isn’t necessarily going to be looking for mental health support communities unless it’s a deliberate calling they have, in which case they probably do it professionally anyway.
This is why I think the go to suggestion ends up being to find a therapist, or someone in your real life that you trust if available. It’s the ideal, if available.
As far as online support, I think the best way is to go to where the mentally healthy people are and form a more organic support network. Try and make friends by doing things online (ex. Participating in hobby forums and discords, joining gaming communities etc.) because then you are more likely to be surrounded by group of average people who can maybe help prop you up indirectly as you form friendships.
I only suggest this because looking back on the most positive and supportive experiences I’ve had online during low points in my life they were with friends I’d met through online communities. Talking in IRC channels, forum DMs, steam chat, discord etc. I was able to lean on those people a bit to get me past the worst of it.