This page brings together a moderated space for talking about mental health. It is not easy to be open on the subject, so we have made this community page a place where you can do so with some care. Here you are welcome to put forward general questions, share your own experience and offer support in response to others.
Think of it as peer support and an educational resource, not as psychotherapy or a means to get a diagnosis, crisis intervention or personal medical advice. An admin will have reviewed your comment before it is put up for all to see.
What you can post
You might want to ask about therapy – what to expect in a first session, how to broach a hard topic, or if it is worth trying. Or perhaps you wish to talk of anxiety, OCD, depression, grief or trauma; feel free to share what has been of help in coping, but we ask that you do not make it prescriptive for others. We also encourage discussion on relationships, whether it be conflict, loneliness, boundaries or just feeling at odds with someone. If you have come across a film, book or story that gave you some insight into yourself or mental health, it is fine to tell us about it.
A good way to start: “I am not after a diagnosis, but I wonder if anyone else has had the experience of…”
How to be supportive in your replies
Put it from your own point of view instead of telling people what they should do or what they have. Do not diagnose or hand out medication instructions. Be mindful of graphic details that might trigger another reader. And if someone’s symptoms seem to be getting in the way of their life or are risky, encourage them to seek professional help. Above all, respect privacy. No names, addresses or private information. Also, please keep comments in text and do not upload any files, screenshots or images.
Useful links to carry on
For those wanting to look into counselling or psychotherapy directly, see our Appointments page. You can read up on peer support and other matters on our Mental Health Topics and Stories and Film pages, or head over to the Anxiety Forum for questions on panic, stress and similar topics. Want to put forward a broad topic for a future piece? Use our public comment form.
Further reading
The World Health Organization has published guidance on Peer support mental health services which covers person-centred and rights-based approaches. They see peer support as a means to foster hope, empowerment and respect through shared experience.
If this is urgent
This is not a monitored crisis service and we cannot offer immediate help. If you are in danger of harming yourself or another, or simply cannot stay safe, contact local emergency services. In the US and Canada call or text 988. For those in the UK or Ireland, Samaritans are on 116 123.
A moderated place to talk about mental health
Mental health is often hard to speak about openly. This community page is intended as a careful, moderated space where visitors can ask general questions, share experiences, and respond supportively to others.
It is peer support and education, not psychotherapy, diagnosis, crisis care, or personal medical advice. Comments are reviewed by an admin before they appear publicly.
If this is urgent
If you might hurt yourself or someone else, or you feel unable to stay safe, please contact local emergency services now. In Ireland and the UK, Samaritans can be reached on 116 123. In the United States and Canada, you can call or text 988.
This discussion space cannot provide immediate help and is not monitored as a crisis service.
What you can post about
Questions about therapy
For example: what a first session is like, how to know whether therapy may help, or how to bring up a difficult topic.
Anxiety, OCD, depression, grief or trauma
Ask general questions or share what has helped you cope, without giving instructions to others.
Relationships and communication
Talk about patterns, boundaries, uncertainty, conflict, loneliness, or feeling misunderstood.
Stories, books and film
Share a book, film, or story that helped you understand something about yourself or mental health.
Helpful starting line: I am not looking for a diagnosis, but I wonder whether others have experienced...
How to reply supportively
- Speak from your own experience rather than telling someone what they have or what they must do.
- Do not diagnose, prescribe, or give medication instructions.
- Avoid graphic details that could overwhelm or trigger other readers.
- Encourage professional help when symptoms are severe, persistent, risky, or interfering with daily life.
- Respect privacy. Do not post names, addresses, private contact details, or identifiable information about other people.
- Keep comments text-based. Please do not upload images, files, screenshots, or private documents.
Useful places to continue
Suggest a topic or question
Use a moderated public comment form to suggest broad topics for future articles and community prompts.
Anxiety Forum
A moderated anxiety forum for anxiety-related questions, panic, OCD, stress, therapy questions and peer replies.
Mental Health Topics
Educational pages on anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma, grief, relationships, therapy, and counselling.
Stories and Film
Reflective articles about stories, movies, psychotherapy, and mental health.
Appointments
For people who want to explore psychotherapy, counselling, or consultation directly.
Further reading on peer support
The World Health Organization has published Peer support mental health services: Promoting person-centred and rights-based approaches. It describes peer support as a way to promote hope, shared experience, empowerment, and respect for human rights. This website’s community space is much smaller and educational, but those principles are a useful guide.
Common questions
Will my comment appear immediately?
No. Comments are reviewed before publication to keep the space safer and more useful.
Can I use a nickname?
Yes. Please use a name you are comfortable having shown publicly. Your email address is used for moderation and is not displayed as part of your public comment.
Can I ask for a diagnosis?
You can ask general educational questions, but this space cannot diagnose you or replace professional care.
Can other visitors reply?
Yes. Replies are welcome when they are respectful, non-judgemental, and based on personal experience rather than instruction.
Recent public discussions
Recently approved public comments may appear here. Comments are moderated before publication.
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Always happy to help. Please contact me on my phone at 0871733187 or via email on jonathanhaverkampf@gmail.com.
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