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Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Peer support occurs when people provide knowledge, experience, emotional, social or practical help to each other. It is the core function of our online community here at SANE Forums! We want to start having more conversations about it with each other to make sure we all have the skills to support each other!

The topics we are going to cover are:

- community values

- safe spaces

- communication (open ended questions; reflective listening & affirmations)

- empathy

- holding space

See you here Tuesday night!

Want to receive an email reminder on the night? Hit the 'Support' button below.

_____________________________________________________________________

I'm new here - what is Topic Tuesday?

Topic Tuesday runs from 7pm - 9pm AEST monthly. Each month we focus on a different topic, with the session facilitated by a Community Manager or Moderator. Sometimes Topic Tuesday will feature a special guest, who is an expert in the topic.

The first post of the thread (this one) will give you an idea of what the topic is and what will be covered.

How do I get involved?

Topic Tuesday takes place right here! It's text based, so no software is needed. During the session, to keep up with the latest posts hit the 'refresh' button on your browser for the latest posts (it doesn't automatically update). Keep an eye for page numbers at the top & bottom of the page, and jump to the highest page number for the most recent post.

Throughout the session, the facilitator will put questions out for you to answer, usually asking for your own experience on the topic. To contribute to the session, just hit the 'reply' button and share your thoughts. No answers are right or wrong and everyone is welcome to get involved.

If you have any questions about how to use the Forums, check out our Guides.

127 replies

101 - 110 of 127

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

pretty much @Former-Member

it can be hard to see progress in our own lives so it's important that if someone tells us good things that they can back it up with proof - lest we start to doubt ourselves

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Agreed @Faith-and-Hope Also find this very comforting. Thank you.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

I agree @Faith-and-Hope

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

I find gentle reminders that I've been in tough places before and made it through, can be helpful at times. It kind of prompts me think about what's helped before as well.

I'm with you with backing up broad statements being helpful @MDT. Remembering or pointing out things that are meaningful to me can feel good.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

My work is very emotionally draining - sometimes I am physically injured by clients (at work).

I have some challenging physical illnesses, & daily fatigue (resulting).

So at the end of the day (when coming onto the forums) - there is often no energy left for me to give.

So a few short words, straight to the point - or a Support (Like) Button is giving as much as is humanly possible.

Adge

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Loving the input tonight everyone. So amazing.

The last question tonight is in relation to the video @s-jay linked at the very beginning of the thread.

Did you watch the above video on empathy & sympathy? In your own words, or from your own experience what makes empathy so impactful?

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

@Adge You do deal with a lot in your role No doubt you just need to completely wind down after those stressors. The support button (to me at least) is still a very valid and valuable way of letting someone know we're sitting with them.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

No, I didn't, because I don't find empathy helpful at all.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Because empathy feels like someone is sharing your experience with you (companionship) @Former-Member

They don't have to feel that same way right now - they're tapping into their memories of having had similar experiences.

Whereas sympathy feels like someone is "Lording it over you". "I know better than you", "I have the answers" (& you don't), etc.

In fact sympathy feels (or seems) patronising & insulting (to me) - it comes across as hollow & empty (meaningless).

Adge

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // What online peer support looks like // Tues 16th July, 7pm-9pm AEST

@Adge Yes very interesting reflections, and thank you for sharing that it has a "hollow" effect. I reckon that is a common one.. I have heard some people draw a comparison to pity in regards to sympathy. Understandable.

@Former-Member Hearing you. Why do you think empathy isn't helpful for you?

101 - 110 of 127