If you just need one time help...

[OriginalWacky]

I was thinking... if someone just needs one time help or something like that... why not make sure that those of us who are willing have a thread to give our messenger info in so that people could just drop a message anytime one of us is on.

For example, I have four messenger services (AIM, MSN, Yahoo, And ICQ), and I tend to have all four open on my desktop at once when I'm sitting here with the computer. I only turn them on when I know I have some time to chat, and I turn them off if I'm not available. So, if someone is looking for immediate help, it might be good to have a way to initiate the contact right away, while things are still urgent, if you know what I mean.

Also, I'm wondering if it might be a good idea for us Peer Counselors to get to know each other a bit as well, so that if someone comes to us with a problem that we don't think we can help with, we might have a better chance of getting them with someone who can. For example, if Person A comes to me asking about transgender issues, and I happen to know that Counselor B has dealt with that in their family, I can refer it over easily... either through Aine or Selene, or directly.

And, just so everyone knows, if you can see me on a messenger service, feel free to just chat, because that's exactly why I have them open. For some reason though, I extremely rarely will message someone first. I think it's just that I don't want to feel like I am bothering anybody, and I bet a lot of folks feel the same. So, now you all know (well, those of you who read this LOL) that I love messages, and chatting, and when I'm on, go for it. If there is some reason I am on but am busy (messaging with someone else on a problem and want to concentrate etc), I am perfectly willing to let you know that.

[Pan]

YES. I like this thing. I like it a lot.

I'll type why when I'm more coherent.

I'm better, now.

When I'm online, I often have Trillian up. It's easiest to address urgent things through messenger, and I have to agree with Wacky up there that there should be a list of contact information specifically.

And having the peer counsellors' information will make it easier.

Also, perhaps include what areas we're willing to help with included?

[OriginalWacky]

Yeah, a little bit like the quick links to our availability profiles, but streamlined. Also, a good way to be able to lean on a fellow Counselor if things are intense (I've had some truly intense scary moments online before).

[{Tigress}]

OW, I'm not sure we can make it much more streamlined. Those seeking help need to be able to see who is willing to talk about what, which is why we have the profiles like they are. If you want to include your presence or absence on IM programs, at any given time, in your Status under your profile, you're more than welcome to do so.

Also, you haven't been assigned to a Peer Group yet, but once you are, you'll have a core group of Peers you can turn to if you need assistance with a counseling situation. With over 40 Peers, it seems to work better to break us down into these small groups of three or four Counselors and have them get to know eachother well. Don't worry, I'll get you assigned to a group soon... I'm a bit under the weather so I haven't been able to focus on this much the past couple of days, but I'll work on it soon, I promise. :)

[Sephiroth]

also, I'm wondering if it might be a good idea for us Peer Counselors to get to know each other a bit.
[color=navy]

i think thats a good thing

[Aleannah]

OW, I'm not sure we can make it much more streamlined. Those seeking help need to be able to see who is willing to talk about what, which is why we have the profiles like they are. If you want to include your presence or absence on IM programs, at any given time, in your Status under your profile, you're more than welcome to do so.

Also, you haven't been assigned to a Peer Group yet, but once you are, you'll have a core group of Peers you can turn to if you need assistance with a counseling situation. With over 40 Peers, it seems to work better to break us down into these small groups of three or four Counselors and have them get to know eachother well. Don't worry, I'll get you assigned to a group soon... I'm a bit under the weather so I haven't been able to focus on this much the past couple of days, but I'll work on it soon, I promise. :)
sorry you're not feeling well, Tigress...feel better soon. :hugz: (((((energy sent)))))

[{Tigress}]

sorry you're not feeling well, Tigress...feel better soon. :hugz: (((((energy sent)))))

Thanks! Icky stomach virus that just won't give up the ghost. Going to go see doctor #2 tomorrow, so maybe he'll be able to do something the first one couldn't. lol

[moria636]

aww feel :sleepybed well soon :sunny:

[{Tigress}]

aww feel :sleepybed well soon :sunny:Thank you. :)

[OriginalWacky]

Thanks! Icky stomach virus that just won't give up the ghost. Going to go see doctor #2 tomorrow, so maybe he'll be able to do something the first one couldn't. lol

Awwww feel better. I managed to upset my delicate constitution (SNORK!) the other night, and felt pretty icky, but the guts are good again today. Wish I could say the same about the joints, the arthitis from this rain is killer. Ah well.

No worries on getting me into a group, I just added all the info from the counselors who had stuff listed, and I've chatted with a couple of folks already. I got Trillian installed, and it's working nicely, so I would imagine I can be available on most of the messengers anytime I'm on now (except for times like this when I am just running through on my way out the door).

I don't think that streamlined was the word I was looking for. I can think of all kinds of ways to make our info easier to access, but almost all of them are just too... too... well, they just don't work. I think what I meant was to have a thread where just our messenger services were listed, so that if someone wanted to talk right now, and it was a one time thing, they could just grab anybody. I know that there are times when it's not anything specific, or severely tragic, or it's even something happy that I just want to share with a human RIGHT NOW. It would be nice to have a place where I can find someone to chat with at that point in time, before things get better, worse, or just fade, ya know?

Now, I'm going to go play with my banners that I want to make, and wait for my phoine to ring, because I'm going shopping today for the last couple things to go into my box swaps. Then I'm going to to come home and take a HOT bath (just got our water heater in last night!), and then I'll probably be online all evening.

Everybody take care, and I'm off to pour several more pills down my throat. Ick. Love and blessings,
Michele

[{Tigress}]

Feel free to start another list if you want. I don't have a problem with it. :)

[misschief]

Yeah, a little bit like the quick links to our availability profiles, but streamlined. Also, a good way to be able to lean on a fellow Counselor if things are intense (I've had some truly intense scary moments online before).so that was YOU on msn :lol: i couldn't figure out who it was... lmaooooooooo. now i'm thinking... duh.