Group Chat Guidelines

Whether you're looking for help with a problem or just somewhere to hang out and talk to other young people, group chat is a safe and welcoming place to meet others, have a chat, and get support if you need it.

Here is the agreement you make with the group when you join:

Group chat is a friendly place – I will be welcoming, respectful and ready to listen. Over time I might make friends with other members but if we’re talking away from chat I agree to keep that separate and focus on the session I’m in.

Group chat is a safe place – I won’t come to the session if I’m having immediate thoughts of ending my life, and I’ll instead contact a more appropriate service such as The Mix’s Crisis Messenger or Samaritans. If I talk about self-harm, I’ll stick to discussing my feelings and avoid describing methods or other physical details.

Group chat is a diverse place – We’ve all had different experiences and sometimes we might disagree on something, and that’s OK. If I feel upset by something, I’ll self-moderate (take a break to calm down or use the mute function).

Group chat is a group environment – I’m prepared for a bit of give and take and I’ll help to include everyone. I’ll make sure I consider what I say and how it may impact others, and I won’t send too many messages at once. I understand I may not get the support I need all the time.

Group chat is an anonymous place – I won’t repeat anything I hear in chat elsewhere and I won’t share personal contact details in the chat room. If I choose to be anonymous, I won’t deliberately raise questions about who I am or ask people to guess. If I want my name to be known, I’ll change it. If an anonymous chatter is in the room, I’ll respect their decision and not ask who they are.

Members that aren’t able to stick to this agreement may be frozen (timed out) or kicked from the session.