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Emotional Support on the Internet


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Archive-name: support/emotional/resources-list
Posting-Frequency: bi-monthly
Version: 1.34

See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge
Emotional Support on the Internet V1.34

02 March 2001

(C) Steve Harris 2001   mailto:steveha@cix.compulink.co.uk

New: HelpLine Users Discussion Forum. see http://www.netservs.com/helplineusers/
New: Search Engine for this list and more at http://www.netservs.com/care/

What this list is
-----------------

This is a list of resources for *emotional* support on the Internet and 
interconnected systems. It is intended to help you find and use these 
groups. Please do *not* mass mail this list for *any* reason at all.

Groups and resources with a focus on information giving, campaigning 
academic study or advocacy are not listed. Some groups are not listed
because I know that they *can* be too rough on people seeking support. On 
the other hand, I have not been able to give all these groups a full "road 
test".

PLEASE LET ME KNOW of errors, changes etc. 
mailto:steveha@cix.compulink.co.uk


Anonymity and Privacy
---------------------

 The growth of web-based email services such as Hotmail means that 
anonymity is even easier than it used to be. Consider getting a free 
alternative email address from www.hotmail.com or www.yahoo.com just for 
use when using support groups.

 Keeping sensitive information confidential? Encrypt your e-mail with 
"Pretty Good Privacy" (tm). "PGP" is a powerful engine and we supply the 
rest of the car! See http://www.netservs.com/pgp/


How to use this list
--------------------

 Find the subject in the first column. Look under several headings. 
Generally, you should mail the address in the second column 2 and (where 
listed) "say" the command shown in the body of your message.

 A few of these e-mail addresses are prefixed "mailto:". With these, you 
are talking direct to a person rather than joining a group.
 
 Where an address is prefixed "news:", you should use your system's normal 
command for joining Usenet groups. Many of these groups are in the "alt" 
hierarchy and you may find that your system doesn't carry the group you 
want. Try asking your system administrator to add the missing group.
 
 Note: some browsers will suppress the "mailto:" and "news:" tags
 
 Where an address is prefixed "AOL", "CIS", "CIX", "Genie", "Prodigy" or 
"Delphi", the group is restricted to users of the named system and you 
should use that system's normal command for joining a "conference", "forum" 
etc.
 
 Note that references to "CIX" refer to the UK based system of that name. 
Even if you are not in the UK, CIX membership is possible by Telneting to 
cix.compulink.co.uk. They charge 29.38 pounds sign up and a monthly minimum 
of 7.34 pounds for which you get at least 100 minutes. On line registration 
by credit card. Is something similar for the other systems I mention? 
Please tell me!
 
 These groups are not suitable for those who wish to argue that the 
particular condition does not exist. If you believe that what you have to 
say may upset some readers, use a "spoiler". For example, you might prefix 
your message:
 
 "SPOILER: Explicit account of rape"
 
 and put lots of blank lines between that and the main text.
 
 These are primarily *support* groups. They *may* be good sources of 
information too. Let this slant influence the way you post to a group. If 
someone posts "Hey, I've just been diagnosed with X disease, anyone know a 
good doctor?", ask how badly it's affecting them and how they feel about 
it. Information exchange can be valuable but often the hardest thing to 
find is personal emotional support.


Checking the "Rules"
--------------------

 Be careful to read any "Welcome" message sent to you when you join a 
mailing list or any other source of information about local "rules". Often, 
what's on the list is considered confidential and expected to stay on the 
list. Some posters to Usenet groups maintain that they are confidential 
too. Given the public nature of Usenet it's more gray. Always remember 
these are *support* groups and not hunting grounds for those who want to 
"save" people. Let them be a "safe" place, safe to post a suicide note 
even.


THE LIST
--------

Subject                 Address
----------------------- -------    
Abuse (general)         news:alt.abuse.recovery
Abuse (general)         MUD: SANCTUARY Information at http://www.sanctuaryinc.org/
Abuse                   CIS: HSX200 Section 2
Abuse offenders         news:alt.abuse.offender.recovery
Abuse, Sexual           recovery@wvnvm.wvnet.edu                                                
Abuse, Sexual           news:alt.sexual.abuse.recovery.moderated
Abuse partners          news:alt.support.abuse-partners
Abuse Partners          listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
                         say subscribe abpart-l Your Name
Abuse, alternative      news:alt.abuse.transcendence
Abuse, alternative      IRC: #aat
Addiction               CIS: go CIS:GOODHE
Adoptees                adoptees-request@ucsd.edu
                         say SUB Your e-address ADOPTEES
Adoption                news:alt.adoption
Adoption                listserv@listserv.law.cornell.edu
                         say SUBSCRIBE ADOPTION Your Name
Adoption                IRC: #adopt 8pm Central Time
Adoption                CIX: adoption
Age Gap Relationships   CIX: age_gaps ( mail 'bio' first)
AIDS/HIV                MAJORDOMO@HIVENT.ORG
                         say  subscribe HIV-AIDS-SPIRITUAL Your Name
AIDS partners           news:alt.support.aids.partners
Adoption                AOL: Keyword 'adoption'
Adoption                Prodigy: Adoption Issues and Parenting
Adoption                CIS: Issues Forum, Adoption section
Adoption                Delphi: under Heritage
Adoption                Fidonet: ADOPTION echo
Adoption (Triad Group)  Prodigy: Social Issues DB
Adoption (BirthParents) LISTSERV@INDYCMS.IUPUI.EDU
                         say SUB BRTHPRNT Your Name
AIDS/HIV                CIS: go CIS:HSX100
AIDS/HIV survivors      green_acres-request@netcom.com
                         say Last Name/First Name Your e-address 
Alcoholism              CIX: alkies (mail 'karl' first)
Alcoholics Anonymous    news:alt.recovery.aa
Alcoholics, Family of   Listproc@solar.rtd.utk.edu
                         say SUBSCRIBE Al-Anon Your Name
Allergies               news:alt.med.allergy
Alopecia                CIX: Alopecia
alopecia                news:alt.baldspot
Alopecia areata         listserv@np2.mcg.edu say subscribe alopecia
Alzheimer's disease     MAJORDOMO@WUBIOS.WUSTL.EDU say subscribe ALZHEIMER
Alzheimer's disease     news:alt.support.alzheimers
Alzeimer's Carers       (Listen) Telnet: freenet-in-c.cwru.edu go alz 
                        (Talk) xxo4o@cleveland.freenet.edu (send Name/Addr)
Amputees                LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say subscribe AMPUTEE               
Amputees                news:alt.support.amputee
Anorexia, bulimia       news:alt.support.eating-disord
Anxiety and panic       news:alt.support.anxiety-panic
Arthritis               news:alt.support.arthritis
Asthma                  news:alt.support.asthma
Attention Deficit       news:alt.support.attn-deficit
Attention Deficit       CIX: attention_defi
Attention Deficit       Delphi: GO CUS 340
Attention Deficit       IRC: #adhd Tuesday 10pm ESTT or Thursday 8pm EST
Attention Deficit       CIS: GO ADD
Attention Deficit Kids  add-parents-request@mv.mv.com
Attention Deficit Adult LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU 
                         say subscribe addult Your Name
Autism                  LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU say subscribe AUTISM                
Autism                  IRC: #autism on irc.starlink-irc.org port 6667         
                        (10am and 10pm EST is best) 
Autism                  news:alt.support.autism
Bereavement             CIX: bereavement (mail 'jwd' for admission)
Bipolar (manic-depress) majordomo@ncar ucar.edu
                         say subscribe pendulum YourEmailAddress
BiPolar (manic-depress) news:alt.support.depression.manic
BiPolar (manic-depress) Delphi: GO CUS 340
BiPolar (SO's, etc. of) majordomo@ipl.co.uk
                         say subscribe bpso
Bisexual, Spouses of    majordomo@texsys.com
                         say subscribe spouse-support
                         (or) say subscribe spouse-support-digest
Blind                   CIS: go CIS:DISABI
Blind (Families of)     LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say subscribe BLINDFAM Your Name
Bone Marrow Transplants BMT-TALK-REQUEST@AI.MIT.EDU
Brain Injury            listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
                          say subscribe tbi-sprt Your Name              
Brain Injury Survivors  listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
                          say subscribe tbi-surv Your Name
Brain Tumours           BRAINTMR-Request@MITVMA.MIT.EDU                                         
Brain Tumours           Anothernet: #BrainTmr
Breast Cancer           LISTSERV@MORGAN.UCS.MUN.CA
                         say subscribe BREAST-CANCER Your Name
Breast Feeding          news:alt.support.breastfeeding
Broken Relationships    CIX: splitting_up (mail bryan or peewee first)
Borderline Personality  news:alt.support.personality
Borderline Personality  LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.stjohns.edu
                         say SUBSCRIBE BORDERPD Your Name
Bullying at Work        CIX: bullying-work
Cancer                  LISTSERV@WVNVM.WVNET.EDU
                         say subscribe CANCER-L Your Name 
Cancer                  news:alt.support.cancer
Cancer                  CIS: go CIS:CANCER
Candida Allergies       listserv@psuhmc.hmc.psu.edu
                         say subscribe YEAST-L Your Name
Cerebral Palsy          LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say subscribe C-PALSY Your Name
Cerebral Palsy          news:alt.support.cerebral-palsy
Cerebral Palsy Parents  LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say SUBSCRIBE CPPARENT
Compulsive Eating       news:alt.support.compulsive-eat 
Children Special Needs  Blank mail to cshcn-l-join@mchenet.ichp.edu
Children                - see Parent resources also.
Child Support Agency UK CIX: child.support or csa
Child Support Agency UK news:uk.gov.agency.csa
Chronic fatigue         LISTSERV@LIST.NIH.GOV
                         say subscribe CFS-L Your Name
Chronic fatigue         news:alt.med.cfs
Chronic fatigue         CIX: cfs
Chronic fatigue         news:alt.support.cfs-cfids
Chronic Fatigue         CIS: go CIS:GOODHE
Chronic Fatigue         PRODIGY(US): Jump Medical Support - Chronic Fatigue
Chronic Fatigue         GENIE: Page 970 Category 18
Chronic Fatigue         Fidonet: CFS echo
Chronic fatigue (youth) LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say subscribe CFS-Y Your Name
Chronic Fatigue (Dutch) LISTSERV@NIC.SURFNET.NL
                         say SUB ME-NET Your Name
Cluttering              news:alt.recovery.clutter
Cluttering              listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu 
                        say subscribe decluttr Your Name
Pain/Illness (Chronic)  Anothernet: #LifeChallengs
Codependency            news:alt.recovery.codependency
Colitis, Crohn's        news:alt.support.crohns-colitis
Cross Dressing          cd-request@therev.losalamos.nm.us                                       
Cult members, family    news:alt.support.ex-cult
Cystic fibrosis         LISTSERV@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM
                         say subscribe CYSTIC-L Your Name  
Deaf                    LISTSERV@SIUCVMB.BITNET
                         say subscribe DEAF-L Your Name
Deaf                    CIS: go CIS:DISABI
Deaf Children           LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say subscribe DEAFKIDS              
Deaf-Blind              DEAFBLND-Request@UKCC.UKY.EDU                                           
Deafness, living with   majordomo@acpub.duke.edu
                         say subscribe beyond-hearing        
Depression              news:alt.support.depression
Depression              subscribe-walkers@lists.walkers.org
                         Chat Room http://www.walkers.org
Depression              LISTSERV@soundprint.brandywine.american.edu
                         say subscribe DEPRESS
Depression              CIX:depressed (Mail kazg or dwindera to join)
Depression              Delphi: Open Delphi (Forums),
                         UK-American Connection, go Cust 351
Depression, Seasonal    news:alt.support.depression.seasonal
Developmental Delays    news:alt.support.dev-delays
Diabetes                LISTSERV@LEHIGH.EDU
                         say subscribe DIABETIC Your Name
Diabetes                CIX: balance
Diabetes                CIS: go CIS:DIABETES
Diabetes (insulin dep)  LISTSERV@NETCOM.COM
                         say subscribe TYPE_ONE YourEmailAddress
Diabetes, hypoglycaemia news:misc.health.diabetes
Diabetics, Parents of   news:alt.support.diabetes.kids
Diabetic Kids (German)  majordomo@rachael.franken.de
                         say  subscribe diabetic-max Your-e-addrss
Dieting                 news:alt.support.diet
Disability, Women (Gay)  majordomo@qiclab.scn.rain.com
                         say subscribe living Name e-Address              
Disabled-Family support LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say subscribe DIS-SPRT              
Disabled, Parents of    Listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
                         say subscribe firstname lastname
Dissociative disorders  news:alt.support.dissociation
Dissociative disorders  IRC: #dissoc (often quiet)
Dissociative disorders  mailto:kohathi@a3bbak.nai.net (human operated list)
Divorce                 news:alt.support.divorce
Divorce                 Delphi: Go Custom 56
Divorce (Men)           free-join@vix.com
Downs Syndrome          listserv@vm1.nodak.edu
                         say Subscribe down-syn Your Name     
Dreams                  news:alt.dreams
Drugs                   see Narcotics
Dyslexia, etc           news:alt.support.learning-disab
Dyslexia                news:alt.support.dyslexia
Endometriosis           LISTSERV@CALIGARI.DARTMOUTH.EDU
                         say sub WITSENDO Your Name
Enuresis                LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say SUB ENURESIS Your Name
Epilepsy                LISTSERV@CALVIN.DGBT.DOC.CA
                         say subscribe EPILEPSY-LIST Your Name
Epilepsy                news:alt.support.epilepsy
Facial Disfigurement    LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say subscribe MY-FACE Your Name 
Families, Dysfunctional alt.recovery.adult-children
Far from average height news:alt.sigma2.height
Fat Loss (Dieting etc.) majordomo@list.stanford.edu
                         say subscribe fatloss-support       
Fat                     - see also Obesity
Fat-acceptance          news:alt.support.big-folks
Fat-acceptance          news:soc.support.fat-acceptance
Fat-acceptance          news:soc.support.fat-acceptance.moderated
Fibromyalgia            LISTSERV@VMD.CSO.UIUC.EDU
                         say subscribe FIBROM-L Your Name
Fibromyalgia            news:alt.med.fibromyalgia
Gay (UK)                uk-motss-REQUEST@diversity.org.uk                                           
Gay                     CIS: go CIS:HSX100
Gay Fathers             majordomo@vector.casti.com
                         say subscribe gaydads Your Name Your e-addr 
Gay Parents             majordomo@vector.casti.com
                         say subscribe queer-parents Your Name Your e-addr        
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual  news:soc.support.youth.gay-lesbian-bi
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual  LISTSERV@american.edu 
                         say subscribe AUGLBC-L Your Name    
                         (This group is quite local in focus)
Gay,Les,Bi parnts&frnds majordomo@pflag.casti.com say subscribe pflag-talk
Gay, South Asian        khush-request@husc3.harvard.edu say subscribe khush                 
Gender issues           CIX: genderline (mail 'mcbrown' for admission)
General psychological   news:alt.psychology.help
Gluten Intolerance      LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU say subscribe CELIAC                
Glaucoma                news:alt.support.glaucoma
Grief                   news:alt.support.grief
Grief (Parents)         Majordomo@mailserv.ic.net
                         say subscribe grief-parents Your-E-Address 
Grief (Pet Loss)        news:alt.support.grief.pet-loss
Guilt                   listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
                         say sub guilt Your Name
Hemophilia              news:alt.support.hemophilia
Househusbands           news:alt.support.househusbands
Immune system breakdown immune-request@weber.ucsd.edu                                           
Immune system breakdown news:alt.support.cfs-cfids
Incontinence            INCONT-L-Request@MAINE.MAINE.EDU                                        
Infertility             news:alt.infertility
Internet Addiction      listserv@netcom.com
                         say Subscribe i-a-s-g [Note: Changed]
(partner support)       listproc@strath.ac.uk
                         say subscribe netwidows Your Name
Irritable Bowel Syndrm  http://www.ibsgroup.org/
Job Hunters             jobhuntersupport-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Lesbian, Bi-Sex Women   sappho-request@mc.lcs.mit.edu                                           
LesBiGay Catholics      DIGNITY-Request@AMERICAN.EDU                                            
Leukemia                Listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
                         say subscribe hem-onc Your Name
Liver Disease           PBCPSCGP@aol.com (Manual List)
                         say SUBSCRIBE PBC/PSC Your Name & Address 
Liver Disease           See also PSC
Loneliness              news:alt.support.loneliness
Loneliness              news:soc.support.loneliness
Long Distance R'ships   rainbow-request@rmit.edu.au              
Manic Depression        - see "Bipolar"                               
Marfan's Syndrome       news:alt.support.marfan
M.E.                    - see Chronic Fatigue
Menopause               news:alt.support.menopause
Menopause               listserv@psuhmc.hmc.psu.edu
                         say subscribe menopaus Your Name  NB no 'e'
Migraine and headache   news:alt.support.headaches.migraine
Mobility (Limited)      LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say subscribe MOBILITY              
Mormons, Gay, etc.      majordomo@vector.casti.com say subscribe q-saints              
Mothers, noncustodial   news:alt.support.noncustodial.moms
Multiple Sclerosis      LISTSERV@TECHNION.TECHNION.AC.IL
                         say subscribe MSLIST-L Your Name
Multiple Sclerosis      news:alt.support.mult-sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis      CIS: go multscler
Muscular Dystrophy      news:alt.support.musc-dystrophy
Muscular Dystrophy      MD-List-Request@Data.Basix.COM
                         Subscribe MD-List Your Name
Myeloproliferative d'rs LISTSERV@LISTSERV.AOL.COM
                         say SUBSCRIBE MPD-NET Your Name
Myeloproliferative d'rs listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
                         say SUBSCRIBE MPD-SUPPORT-L Your Name
Narcotics Anonymous     news:alt.recovery.na
Negative Equity         CIX: neg_equity
Obesity                 news:alt.support.obesity
Obesity                 - see also "Fat"
Obsessive-Compulsive    news:alt.support.ocd or alt.support.ocd.moderated
Oklahoma Bombing        listproc@phs.k12.ar.us
                         say subscribe oklahoma Your Name
Osteogenesis Imperfecta news:alt.support.osteogenesis.imperfecta
Ostomy                  news:alt.support.ostomy
Other support           news:alt.support
                        CIX: emotional_sprt
                        CIS go CIS:GOODHE
                        Delphi: GO CUS 340
Ovarian Cancer (???)    listserv@ist01.ferris.edu
                         say subscribe ovarian-cancer Your Name
Pain                    odin@gate.net say subscribe PAIN-L
Pain/Illness (Chronic)  Anothernet: #LifeChallengs
Pain, Chronic           listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
                         say SUBSCRIBE PAIN-L Your Name
Pain, Chronic           news:alt.support.chronic.pain
Paranoia                Delphi: GO CUS 340
Parent (being one)      CIX: l.s.p.
Panic                   Panic-Request@gnu.ai.mit.edu                                            
Parkinson's Disease     listserv@listserv.utoronto.ca
                         say subscribe PARKINSN Your Name
Personality Disorders   Delphi: GO CUS 340
                        news:alt.support.personality
Polio                   LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say subscribe POLIO Your Name
Polio (post)            news:alt.support.post-polio
Polio (post)            LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say sub Post-Polio-Med Your Name
Prostatitis             news:alt.support.prostate.prostatitis
Prostatitis (& Cancer)  LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say SUB PROSTATE Your Name
Prozac Survivors        news:alt.support.survivors.prozac
Primary Sclerosing Chol psc-support-subscribe@egroups.com
Psoriasis               news:alt.support.skin-diseases.psoriasis
Psoriasis               news:alt.support.psoriasis
Rare Diseases           LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say subscribe RARE-DIS              
Religion                news:alt.recovery.religion
Repetitive Strain       LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say subscribe RSI-EAST              
Roommates, Psychotic    news:alt.psychotic.roommates
Schizoid personality    news:alt.support.personality.schizoid
Schizophrenia           listserv@ubvm.cc.buffalo.edu say subscribe Schizoph
Schizophrenia           Delphi: GO CUS 340
SAD                     - see Depression, Seasonal
Self Esteem, Low        listserv@netcom.com
                         say subscribe self-esteem-self-help
Self Injury             bus-request@lists.uchicago.edu
                         say subscribe in *subject* line
Sexual addictions       news:alt.recovery.addiction.sexual
Sexual problems (adult) CIS: go CIS:HSXTOP
Simgle Parents          Delphi: GO GROUP SINGLE
Sexual Reassingment     news:alt.support.sexreassign
Sinusitis               news:alt.support.sinusitis
Short people            news:alt.support.short
Short people            news:alt.support.dwarfism
Shyness                 news:alt.support.shyness
Skin Diseases           news:alt.support.skin-diseases
Shin Diseases           news:alt.support.disease.skin (New)
Sleep Apnoea            CIX: sleep_apnoea
Sleep problems          news:alt.support.sleep-disorder
Social phobias          news:alt.support.social-phobia
Spina-bifida            news:alt.support.spina-bifida
Spina-bifida parents of listserv@waisman.wisc.edu
                         say SUBSCRIBE SB-PARENTS Your Name
Step-parent             news:alt.support.step-parents
Smoking, Stopping       news:alt.support.stop-smoking
Strokes                 LISTSERV@UKCC.UKY.EDU
                         say subscribe STROKE-L Your Name
Stuttering              V5002E@VM.TEMPLE.EDU                                                    
Stuttering              news:alt.support.stuttering
Stuttering              listproc2@bgu.edu
                         say subscribe STUT-HLP Your Name
Suicidal                mailto:jo@samaritans.org Email helpline - not self-help
Suicidal (anon route)   http://www.samaritans.org/sams.html/contact2.html
See also                http://www.samaritans.org.uk/
                        US Mirror site: http://www.mhnet.org/samaritans/
Suicidal                CIX: suicidehelp (mail 'mcbrown' for admission)
Suicidal                majordomo@research.canon.com.au
                         say subscribe suicide-support
Suicidal                IRC: #suicide (often quiet)
Suicidal (non english)  See http://www.befrienders.org/email/emailother.html
Suicide, left behind by news:alt.support.grief.suicide
Suicide, left behind by majordomo@research.canon.com.au
                         say subscribe suicide-survivors
Tall (see also Marfan)  news:alt.support.tall
Tinnitus                news:alt.support.tinnitus
Tobacco Addiction       listserv@ra.msstate.edu
                         say subscribe smoke-free Your Name  
Tourette's syndrome     news:alt.support.tourette
Transgendered           news:alt.transgendered
Transgendered           news:soc.support.transgendered
Transgendered           LISTSERV@BROWNVM.BROWN.EDU
                         say SUBSCRIBE TRANSGEN your name
Trigeminal Neuralgia    TN-REQUEST@WORLD.STD.COM
Twelve Step programs    listproc2@bgu.edu
                         say subscribe ODAAT@bgu.edu Your e-address
Twelve Step LesbiGay    ronald@his.com say SUBSCRIBE PLUS-L and use a
                         subject of PLUS-L
Voices, visions, moods  LISTSERV@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
                         say subscribe MADNESS               
Vitiligo                news:alt.support.skin-diseases.vitiligo
Wounded Child           CIX: wchild (mail 'alib; or 'pjacobs' first)
==================================================================================


Checking out the "agenda"
-------------------------

Almost all of these resources are self-help groups. They don't try to sell 
you anything. Of course, individual members may have their own agenda and 
occasionally you'll see blatant commercial postings - usually from 
outsiders.
 
 When an *organisation* offers a resource, you're entitled to expect it to 
have an agenda of some sort and to be able to discover what it is. The only 
organisation currently listed is The Samaritans. They're a non-profit, 
non-religious support service for the suicidal and despairing. Their only 
agenda is emotional support. They don't sell anything.
 
 There's a few other people around on the Net offering support services. 
With some of them, I haven't yet been able to discover their agenda. With 
others, at least part of their agenda is to sell you something. Now, 
there's nothing wrong with someone earning a living in this area but when 
your audience is potentially vulnerable, it's important that your agenda is 
easily visible. Such visibility cannot be conveyed easily in a listing such 
as this so that's why such resources are not here. Having said that, I'd be 
interested in hearing from *anybody* on this issue.
 
 Finally, what's *my* agenda? Firstly I believe that offering people 
emotional support is a "Good Thing". The other half is that I sell 
software for email helplines. See: http://www.netservs.com/helpmail/


Quiet and Busy Groups
---------------------

Some of these are very busy with dozens of messages a day. If you find that 
doesn't suit you, look to see if there's an alternative. It may be a cue 
that a *regional* group is needed if only to become manageable.
 
 At the other end, you may find that a group seems to be dead. This can be 
natural, especially in a small group. It doesn't mean that the group is no 
good so don't let that put you off asking for support. The group may spring 
to life and help you and then subside.


Start your own group? Some thoughts
-----------------------------------

Start your own Internet Emotional Support group? Some thoughts

First of all, ask yourself why. One good answer is that you
can't find what you need in an existing group.  Try using the
search engine at http://www.netservs.com/care/ to check that
there really isn't a suitable one already..

You'll probably need to devote a fair amount of effort to starting
up and publicising your group. It takes time for things to really
get going. On the other hand, don't expect a group to be a constant
hive of activity. I know several good groups with only a few dozen
members where it's often quiet for weeks. When a member needs the
group - it springs to life.

Some very successful groups are based on automated mailing lists and
they're easy to start. Try http://groups.yahoo.com/. They have thousands
of groups on all subjects so check again that there isn't an existing
group. If necessary, follow their instructions to set up a group. If you
find the process too technical for you, consider finding another sufferer
with more expertise. 
 
Most group are self-help but The Samaritans suicide hotline in the list is 
modelled on the traditional telephone service. There you are talking to 
trained volunteers. Starting such a service is a major undertaking. See
http://www.netservs.com/helpmail/ for more information.


Update policy
-------------

This list was originally prepared February 1995 and has already seem 
several revisions. I expect to update and post it twice a month. 
Amendments? mailto:steveha@cix.compulink.co.uk. Please use the form that 
follows to help you include all the information. Thanks to all those who 
helped me with updates

 ----cut----
 New/Revised Emotional Support Resource

 Name of Resource:

 Type: Usenet/Mailing List/Help by E-Mail/Conference/Forum

 Address:

 Any restrictions on membership (EG: CIS members only)?
 Is this primarily a *support* group for sufferers/friends/families?
 E-Mail address of contact name:
 ----cut----
 

Where to get this list
----------------------

This issue of the list is being posted to Usenet alt.support, 
alt.psychology.help, sci.psychology, soc.misc, alt.answers, soc.answers, 
sci.answers and news.answers. Archived at MIT  - see headers.

 The most up to date version is at:

http://www.netservs.com/care/

No Web access? Any Mail to care@netservs.com retrieves this list


Acknowledgements
----------------

Thanks to Ian Pitchford, John Grohol and Bob Zenhausern. Special thanks to 
David Brake HTTP://WWW.WELL.COM/USER/DERB/ for the CIS entries. 
Thanks also to the guys at Oxford who put this list up on the Web without 
me even having to ask :-)


Steve Harris - Net Services - Using the Internet to link *people*
http://www.netservs.com/helpmail/

User Contributions:

Comment about this article, ask questions, or add new information about this topic:


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Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:12 PM