Hesitant to Join Support Group

[MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN]

I am here at the request of my Veterans Administration Peer Support Specialist, who wanted me to become part of a support group. So, I am here, a single black man at age 66, but I do have trepidations about it, yet I am working through them. It beats my son's idea to download a dating app for seniors. I know he means well from his generational perspective, but I can't relate to that. Anyway, this is the first step in my mental health journey to against the tide of always being like a dolphin without the need of its pod. Who knows, maybe the words of Edgar Cayce will ring true on this website and I will find my true family and friends in winter.

ASE//HOTEP//SHALOM

[Bigoldogsmiles]

Welcome Moonshadow,I have only been on this site for about a week and have already found it helpful. I'm sure you will too. There are a lot of good people here willing to offer help and encouragement. Good luck with your healing!

[MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN in reply to Bigoldogsmiles]

Thankyou so much! I'm looking forward to this.

[Starrlight]

Love your name! Welcome!!! ✨

[MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN in reply to Starrlight]

Thank you. Your name is transcendent: Love the Double "r"

[Starrlight in reply to MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN]

Thanx!

[gajh]

Hello and Welcome. There is so much support available here. I am glad you have joined us.

[MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN in reply to gajh]

Thankyou. I feel like I made the right decision to join.

[gajh in reply to MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN]

I just read your bio. It was nice to get to know you better. I have made some really great friends here. It helps so much to talk to people who understand depression and anxiety. I do not do social media either. This was my very first time with a support group. I have gotten so much more than I could have ever hoped for.

[MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN in reply to gajh]

Wow. That is an encouraging reply, gajh. "Friends," that would be so cool to make friends here. There are times I get so bottled up and I just need to have a place for catharsis, even if it is digital, ya' know?! Finding friendship would be a bonus. Wish me luck, and thanks for the reply.

[gajh in reply to MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN]

I do wish you luck. I think you are going to be very successful because of exactly what you are doing right now. Posting, replying to replies, getting into conversations. It is all about being active. I don't have friends in real life, but I have some wonderful friends here. Friends I talk to every single day. We share the good and the bad. We understand each other and our struggles. I encourage you to keep reaching out.

[MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN in reply to gajh]

Thank you so much. I will continue to reach out which should lead me to reach in.

[gajh in reply to MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN]

Do you feel like talking about anything today? I am only here for a short time now, but I will be back later tonight.

[MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN in reply to gajh]

I, too, am out and about today. I just wanted to respond to your post before heading out. Thanks for the offer though😀

[Dogcatnomaybehopeso]

best to you- I have found this platform helpful. A place to vent & find support. I wish the same for you.

[MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN in reply to Dogcatnomaybehopeso]

Thanks. I feel i have found a support group here. Looking forward to sharing and receiving.

[Dogcatnomaybehopeso]

best!

[Agora1]

Hi MOONSHAWDOWSONTHESUN and Welcome new friend.

I would first like to thank you for your service in the Air Force.

Let me assure you in that you have found a caring and safe forum

to call your own. You will be among others who relay their own journeys

that we can learn from. You are never alone anymore. When you need a

friend, just reach out. Someone is always here 24/7. xx

[MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN in reply to Agora1]

Thanks for the kind words. Yes, battling depression and anxiety seems like a solo battle for me. I don't want to do it alone anymore. Looking forward to healing with others.

[CLB1125]

welcome to the group. this is not a conventional support group. no one judges here.. I found this is the best place for me. we all understand.

[MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN in reply to CLB1125]

Thats' great! No judgement. Thanks

[Gramas]

Welcome. This is a great place to share your thoughts and feelings and receive good feedback. I definitely agree that this is better than a dating app for seniors. I’ve never tried one and this is probably a much kinder, gentler way of meeting people and finding support.

[MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN in reply to Gramas]

I agree with you on the senior apps. I'm old fashioned. Thanks for the welcome. Looking forward to the support and corresponding with other people sharing my struggles

[hypercat54]

Hi welcome to the site. I hope you find what you want here.

We are friendly and we don't bite. You might want to think about locking your post to this community only otherwise it and all the replies can go viral even appearing on social media.

To do this find your edit button. It will be there somewhere.

[MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN in reply to hypercat54]

Thanks for the welcome. I tried to find where and how to lock it on for the community. Not successful. I will email the administrator. thanks for the advice

[hypercat54]

How to do this.

1.Go into your post

2. Find your edit button - it will be there somewhere

3. Click on more

4. Scroll through until just before the reposting bit and you will see 2 options - community only and anyone.

5. The default is set to anyone so you have to change it. Do that and repost it.

6. Once locked you will see a little padlock next to your post.

I hope this is clear.

[MOONSHADOWSONTHESUN in reply to hypercat54]

okay. thanks so much...Gonna give it a try.