SF is run completely by volunteers and is funded by donations from people who have been helped by SF or know someone who has been helped by SF. We are not paid in any way and only the monthly amount needed to maintain the site are asked for through the donation process.

We expect our members to be supportive at all times. We operate on a 'Take what you need' principle. We expect our members not to be insulting or bullying, but we also expect that people posting on the forum realise that peer support will often mean getting responses, ideas and opinions that you do not find helpful. If you get reponses that aren't helpful, feel free to ignore those and pay more attetnion to the posts that ARE helpful to you. Take what you need and leave the rest. Please treat others as you would wish to be treated and be appreciative of the effort made by other people in pain to respond to your posts that are offering their opinions and support.

Many people come to SF in the middle of a crisis and many have never used a forum or a chat room before. We hope that those people who feel able will reach out to others with words of support and encouragement. Some things to remember when giving or receiving support: 

There will be times when someone comments on a thread you made or offers advice in chat that you do not like or want. The people here are not professionals, they're just people trying to help each other and of course everyone is different. If you receive advice or comments you do not find useful, try to remember that even if you do not agree with that person, they took the time and effort to try to help you.

It is a great idea to write in the My Story section to begin with so people get to know your situation. Don't worry about posting in the wrong section or whether you are explaining yourself well; often the best thing to do is to just start talking.

Suicide Methods – Any mention of suicide methods or means of killing yourself are forbidden on SF. Please take care to give your post a read over before you publish it to make sure that you haven't mentioned a specific method or manner to commit suicide or to prepare to commit suicide. [READ ABOUT SUICIDE METHODS]

Self-Harm Methods and Details – As most self-harmers know, thinking about self-harm can often lead to wanting to engage in it. Please avoid giving details or graphic descriptions about harming yourself and mentioning specific ways in which you harm yourself in order to keep other members safe from being ‘triggered’ into a self-harm episode.

Suicide Notes or Timelines– Posting a suicide note saying goodbye or that you will be dead by tomorrow or any specific date or time can make people feel that they have 'said it, so now they have to do it'. For this reason we do not allow suicide notes or timelines as they prevent people from getting support and help. [READ ABOUT SUICIDE NOTE/TIMELINES]

Suicide Pacts and Encouraging Suicide – Encouraging or promoting suicide is subject to an instant ban. We are dedicated to keeping our members safe and alive. Suicide pacts are considered encouraging people to die and anyone found to be engaging in any behaviour that could be considered ‘pacting’ will be permanently banned from the site. [READ ABOUT SUICIDE PACTS]

Euthanasia and ‘Right to Die’ arguments – Discussions about whether or not it is ‘right’ for mentally ill or chronically depressed people to be allowed to die, or that you should be allowed to die in your circumstance are not permitted here. There are places on the internet for that type of philosophical/political debate but SF is not one of them. SF’s position is that ALL life is valuable and we are committed to a pro-life standpoint.

Sexual Details – A great many of our members have suffered some form of abuse or sexual trauma. For that reason we do not allow details of sexual abuse or rape to be posted on the forum. This excludes the Rape and Abuse forum. Abuse and rape are fine to talk about in other forums but we request that you avoid the graphic specifics of the events that took place.

Violent or Aggressive Content – Expressions of violent intent or desires are not permitted on SF. We appreciate that people are often angry and we do not have a policy against swearing (where the swearing is not directed AT another member) but we do not allow statements expressing desire or intent to harm other people, groups, animals etc.

SF Staff – Safety and Support

SF staff and admin are all volunteers who were once ‘regular’ SF members. All staff are here to ensure the safety of our members and to give support on the forums and in chat.