Respect & reporting

Please help keep our space safe and respectful by following these rules. First, and most important, treat each other and the staff with respect, and report any behavior that offends you. Also, report it if any member PMs you asking for money, is overly friendly, or asks for personal information. Anything reported will be kept private.

• No copyright violations — share only content you own or have permission to use.
• No illegal activity — don’t discuss or promote anything unlawful.
• No harassment or hate — this includes bullying, discrimination, and hate speech.
• No impersonation — don’t pretend to be another member or person.
• No spam or scams — avoid unsolicited ads, scams, or misleading links.
• No sexual content — keep it clean; no nudity or explicit material.
• No violent content — no threats, gore, or glorifying harm.
• No harmful behavior — don’t encourage or glamorize self-harm or hurting others.

1. General content standard

G-rated / safe space

• Express feelings, not explicit details. You are always welcome and encouraged to share how you are feeling (for example, “I’m feeling overwhelmed,” “I’m experiencing heavy distress today,” or “I’m feeling triggered”). However, please refrain from describing explicit acts, violent details, or graphic descriptions.
• Keep language accessible. Remember that members of all ages (13+) use this site. Avoid explicit language, graphic trauma descriptions, or graphic imagery.

2. Trigger warnings (TW) & when to use them

We encourage using trigger warnings to respect fellow members, but they are meant for explicit topics, not every single post.

• When to use a TW: use a trigger warning in your title (for example, [TW: Medical] or [TW: Abuse mention]) when your post touches on sensitive subjects that could catch someone off guard.
• When it’s not needed: general expressions of distress, sadness, grounding struggles, or everyday feelings do not require trigger warnings.
• Prohibited content: posts containing explicit threats of self-harm (SH), suicide (SI), or details of self-harm methods are strictly not allowed. Focus on your underlying emotional state, or reach out for immediate professional help.

Video chat guidelines

1. Keep content G-rated & safe

• The same content standards apply to video and audio as to written posts. Keep conversations suitable for members aged 13 and up.
• No graphic, explicit, violent, or sexually suggestive background visuals, avatars, or attire.

2. Express feelings, not explicit details

• Share how you are feeling (for example, “I’m having a rough day” or “I’m feeling anxious”), but avoid graphic descriptions or explicit details of traumatic events.

3. Managing triggers & discomfort

• If a topic becomes triggering or uncomfortable, feel free to politely ask to change the subject, or step out of the video room quietly without needing to alert everyone.

4. Entry & speaking etiquette

• Introduce yourself: give a quick hello or introduction in chat or voice when you enter the room.
• Take turns: use the “raise hand” feature (if available), or interject politely, so participants don’t speak over each other.
• Mute when not speaking to keep background noise to a minimum.

5. Privacy & respect

• Cameras are optional — use audio only whenever you prefer.
• No recording, taking screenshots, or sharing room activity outside the forum. Confidentiality is required.

6. Moderation

• Staff may mute or remove participants from video channels if guidelines are not followed, to maintain a secure environment.

Disclaimer: peer support only

• No medical or mental health professionals. This forum is run entirely by peer volunteers and fellow community members, not therapists, doctors, or mental health professionals.
• Not clinical advice. Content shared here is for peer support and shared experience only. It should never replace professional medical diagnosis, clinical treatment, or advice from a qualified healthcare provider.

If you have questions, ask in the Q&A section or contact a staff member.

Thank you for your cooperation.
Ivory Garden Admin