Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

47,612Members
1,358,869Posts
1,400,000Visitors

Peer Group Chat // Social Media- To Engage, Or Not To Engage? // Thursday 5th October 2023, 7-8:30PM AEDT

amber22Senior Contributor29 Sept 2023, 10:19 am AEST

Peer Group Chat // Social Media- To Engage, Or Not To Engage? // Thursday 5th October 2023, 7-8:30PM AEDT

Hey everyone!

On Thursday 5th October 2023, we will be holding a Peer Group Chat on the topic of Social Media- To Engage, Or Not To Engage?

We can often want to keep up to date with friends as well as current news and events - but despite the positives, sometimes what we see on social media may be upsetting, overwhelming, or triggering. Join this conversation to talk together about the potential pros and cons of engaging with social media and how we can look after ourselves when engaging with social media.

The event start times across Australia are below:

This is currently held in daylight savings hours:

WA: 4pm
NT: 5:30pm

SA: 6:30pm

QLD: 6pm

NSW, ACT, VIC & TAS: 7pm

For anyone unfamiliar with Peer Group Chats, each focuses on a specific topic and is guided by Peer Workers with lived experience of mental health issues and recovery, &/or caring for someone with complex mental health. A counsellor is also present as a moderator to help ensure a safe environment for individuals and the group. It is a space for us as peers to share our stories and experiences, and connect with those who are going through something similar.

Anyone is welcome to join! Tagging some members who may be interested below:

@mr-robot-75 @Hope0011 @Shaz51 @Hams @Appleblossom @Captain24 @Snowie @chibam @Jacques @wellwellwellnez @outlander @NatureLover @Adge @petrichor @Pancake @Gwynn @Sophia1 @pinklollipop15 @Lila3 @BlueBay @RedHorse @Arizona @SJT63 @Owen45 @Appleblossom @Eve7 @Bow @Snowie @Shaz51 @JungleGiants @BPDSurvivor @wellwellwellnez @NatureLover @utopia @Millieme @Anastasia @Jorge @CogsWhirl @Clawde @SunFlowersHope @SJT63 @Owen45 @utopia @Laura4 @creative_writer

Peer Group Chats are hosted outside of the forums, using a platform called Chatwee.

To join an Online Peer Group and participate, you will need to register for an account with Chatwee.
To access the group to observe only and not participate, you can access Chatwee as a Guest.
On the night, follow this link to access Chatwee before the group starts.
You can join our Peer Group Chats every Thursday from 7:00-8:30pm (AEDT). Check out the FAQs page for more information.

We hope to see you there 😊 If you can't make it but are interested, you can always catch up reading the transcript afterwards here.

12 replies

11 - 12 of 12

1 2

In response to: Peer Group Chat // Social Media- To Engage, Or Not To Engage? // Thursday 5th October 2023, 7-8:30PM AEDT

Unknown userMember11 Oct 2023, 2:06 pm AEDT

Re: Peer Group Chat // Social Media- To Engage, Or Not To Engage? // Thursday 5th October 2023, 7-8:30PM AEDT

My thoughts are similar to what @Snowie said.

I spend time on SANE and Beyond Blue websites for different reasons. I spend some time on Facebook and Instagram but limit my time on both and can go days without being on either. I use messenger to keep in contact with people closest to me.

News broadcasts on any device I try to avoid. So much horror and negativity. Only time my TV gets turned on is to watch specific shows or movie that I have chosen

In response to: Re: Peer Group Chat // Social Media- To Engage, Or Not To Engage? // Thursday 5th October 2023, 7-8:30PM AEDT

TideisTurningSenior Contributor16 Oct 2023, 2:47 pm AEDT

Re: Peer Group Chat // Social Media- To Engage, Or Not To Engage? // Thursday 5th October 2023, 7-8:30PM AEDT

I'm hearing that limiting time on social media is a big strategy for balancing engagement. I am also hearing, and I agree, that the same forums are really different to other forms of social media- so much so that I didn't even realise/think of it as a form of social media until it was pointed out to me during our chat discussion!

@Snowie, I think your point about being aware of when we might need a break from engaging with social media is really important too. For myself, I think being mindful of how my social media engagement is affecting me and also what its benefits are, are also good to pay attention to. As you've highlighted @Former-Member, reasons for engaging can vary depending on the form. Like you, Messenger is the main one for me to facilitate 1:1 interaction.

@Blackbird11 @Shaz51, the way it sounds you both try to engage with social media and personally interact with loved ones and others offline is very similar to my own preferences.

11 - 12 of 12

1 2