Danustouch
September 21st, 2001, 04:31 PM
Okay...I know I said I was staying away from the boards for a while. I've only come in to check PM's and post some poetry, and have been staying away from the more ...serious forums. But..I had an idea this morning, that I shared with Mol, and he thought it was a good idea. So I'm posting it here, and asking one of the Mods from this forum, to please "stuck" it. Could you Kay???
I was watching the news last night, when they started discussing the psychological effects of last weeks tragedies, upon our nation's citizens. The Poll, which interviewed Mental Health Professionals, and RedCross Support Workers, said that 1 in every 3 Americans, is having problems sleeping, since the tragedies. 8 out of every 10 Americans, is experiencing, and reporting symptoms of depression. People are also, unable to concentrate on their daily duties, due to the stress, and depression. The contributing causes to this stress? Obviosly, fear for our safety. Fear for our economy. Worry and Grief over loved ones, Worry that our Sons/daughters/fathers/mothers/brothers/sisters will be drafted or otherwise sent over seas. We must remember..that many of our Nations population, are still too young to remember the Gulf War. And to most of us, that war seemed MILD in comparison to the threaghts we feel now. This is taking an extreme emotional toll on people. Both in the real world, and on this board. I decided to take a break because of it..peoples nerves have been raw because of it, people have been PMing me, about their own fears, their own terror, their own stress. We cannot ignore, how largely this has impacted our daily lives, and our minds. We are a nation wounded. A community, wounded. And we need to be there for eachother.
In that spirit, I would like to organize a group of "peer support counsellors", for Mystic Wicks. Thes Peer Support workers, would be available through various instant messaging systems, etc, to provide a listening ear, some support, and some understanding, to those who are feeling afraid, worried, stressed, greiving, frustrated, etc, here at Mystic Wicks. There are no prerequisites for becoming one of these peer counsellors, except that you be tolerant, understanding, patient and supportive. A good listener, and non judgemental. Remember...the goal is not to "Solve" the problem...its to give our members a voice for their feelings during this difficult time.
Allow me to put a disclaimer here. Those of us who volunteer for this task, are NOT trained counsellors. For that reason, if you do come to us, be aware that we are no substitute for a mental health professional. So if you're symptoms of depression are severe, if you are having self destructive, or harmful thoughts, you may want to seek the advice of a professional. We will also have a list of Crisis Counselling Hotlines, and such, on hand, to give to anyone who needs them. Our goal..as peer counselors, is to be a friend...and a supportive shoulder to lean on, during the difficult months ahead.
If anyone is interested in sighning on to be one of these Mystic Wicks Peer Counsellors, Please contact me at Moonsglowing@aol.com, or PM me here, and I will sighn you up, immediately.
If anyone needs someone to talk to...I am available to chat through AIM, at Moonsglowing. So please, during these difficult times, do NOT hesitate to reach out for help.
Thank you.
Danus.
I was watching the news last night, when they started discussing the psychological effects of last weeks tragedies, upon our nation's citizens. The Poll, which interviewed Mental Health Professionals, and RedCross Support Workers, said that 1 in every 3 Americans, is having problems sleeping, since the tragedies. 8 out of every 10 Americans, is experiencing, and reporting symptoms of depression. People are also, unable to concentrate on their daily duties, due to the stress, and depression. The contributing causes to this stress? Obviosly, fear for our safety. Fear for our economy. Worry and Grief over loved ones, Worry that our Sons/daughters/fathers/mothers/brothers/sisters will be drafted or otherwise sent over seas. We must remember..that many of our Nations population, are still too young to remember the Gulf War. And to most of us, that war seemed MILD in comparison to the threaghts we feel now. This is taking an extreme emotional toll on people. Both in the real world, and on this board. I decided to take a break because of it..peoples nerves have been raw because of it, people have been PMing me, about their own fears, their own terror, their own stress. We cannot ignore, how largely this has impacted our daily lives, and our minds. We are a nation wounded. A community, wounded. And we need to be there for eachother.
In that spirit, I would like to organize a group of "peer support counsellors", for Mystic Wicks. Thes Peer Support workers, would be available through various instant messaging systems, etc, to provide a listening ear, some support, and some understanding, to those who are feeling afraid, worried, stressed, greiving, frustrated, etc, here at Mystic Wicks. There are no prerequisites for becoming one of these peer counsellors, except that you be tolerant, understanding, patient and supportive. A good listener, and non judgemental. Remember...the goal is not to "Solve" the problem...its to give our members a voice for their feelings during this difficult time.
Allow me to put a disclaimer here. Those of us who volunteer for this task, are NOT trained counsellors. For that reason, if you do come to us, be aware that we are no substitute for a mental health professional. So if you're symptoms of depression are severe, if you are having self destructive, or harmful thoughts, you may want to seek the advice of a professional. We will also have a list of Crisis Counselling Hotlines, and such, on hand, to give to anyone who needs them. Our goal..as peer counselors, is to be a friend...and a supportive shoulder to lean on, during the difficult months ahead.
If anyone is interested in sighning on to be one of these Mystic Wicks Peer Counsellors, Please contact me at Moonsglowing@aol.com, or PM me here, and I will sighn you up, immediately.
If anyone needs someone to talk to...I am available to chat through AIM, at Moonsglowing. So please, during these difficult times, do NOT hesitate to reach out for help.
Thank you.
Danus.