Peer Support - What are the Pro's and Con's to Peer Support

[gorbett]

Peer Support - What are the Pro's and Con's to Peer Support

Hi there;

I am a person with many experiences with self harm.  I am an academic with personal experiences.

Self harm I have seen is not limited to suicidal thoughts.  My experiences are with drug over-dose, drug abuse and alcohol abuse.  I am interested to know how this forum is helpful.

Kim

[Lorien]

I think different people find different uses. Sometimes it's a place to distract yourself in Random or games room.
Other times its useful to rant to a computer screen and have it reply. Sometimes you find that a particular person is able to help by suggesting something or sharing an experience.  Sometimes that builds links between people.  It's a very strange world to understand if you aren't in it I think, but actually real, strong helpful relationships can be built with people you've never met before....occasionally those people become more than that. I met my partner on the forum. 

Sometimes it is helpful to just post stuff in response to other people.  I think the point varies according to the person and the situation and whines online at the time

[Vermilion]

It's been summed up very well in the last post but I would also like to add that the anonymity of the forum is also very helpful for me as it enables me to share things that I find difficult to talk about irl. I also find it much easier to write things rather than talk about them which is another reason this forum is helpful. The only con I can think of is the possibility of accidentally reading something that could be triggering but I generally just stay out of the on topic areas if I feel I may get triggered easily.