Bipolar Dream : Our Concept of Support

Our concept of support

We have a concept of support that is different from most online groups.

Any person joining our groups is actively encouraged to face her/his issues with honesty. S/he is also given straight feedback on what s/he decides to share. Tactful directness is our favourite approach to problems in order to find a solution that could work instead of just complaining about an issue.

We push our members to take responsibility for their actions, in carefully considering all the reasons to take/choose medicines and in being sincere with our psychiatrist and/or therapist meanwhile working together on self-help issues.

We promote accountability for our behaviours: bipolar disorder is an explanation, definitely not an excuse.

Our concept of care does not encompass automated answers and pats on the back. It mostly is about getting to actually know who you are interacting with and how this person communicates. This helps avoid missing subtle cries for help burried in a long euphoric message, and other such "messages in bottles". People are different and the concept of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" doesn't result in good support. Making assumptions that others think and behave like you is called projection and blinds you from truly helping others.

Protection of members is exerted through:

• Consistently enforced rules for the safety of all members, moderators included
  
• Moderation of members, till they are proven to be safe to the whole group
• Prompt intervention whenever conflicts are either not faced or escalating
  
• Back-channeling to clear our approach to illness, support and volunteering

We give and ask both moderator and peer support. All members are entitled to ask for and give support. Moderators have to give more support but are welcome to ask and take as any other member.