The Discord channels #live-chat, #pet-pictures, and #creative-space are unlocked from Noon to 1 PM ET and Midnight to 1 AM ET. These texted-based chat channels provide a friendly, group-like atmosphere where members openly share their highs, lows, goals, and various experiences. Feel free to introduce yourself with your first name and, if comfortable, share your pronouns and location. During these unlocked hours, #pet-pictures allows sharing of pet photos, while #creative-space serves as a platform for sharing artwork, music, writing, and other forms of creativity. Before posting, we kindly ask everyone to review and adhere to our community guidelines, to help provide a respectful and safe space for all.

Audio hangouts function as relaxed, daily group calls similar to catching up with friends. Unlike our other virtual meetings which follow a structured format, audio hangouts intentionally provide an unstructured space. This facilitates organic conversations and naturally unfolding discussions. The primary purpose of these hangouts is to foster a sense of community and belonging. Through sharing experiences, ideas, or simply casual banter, participants have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and contribute to a supportive, interconnected community.

A peer support meeting is a facilitated gathering where individuals share their achievements, challenges, and aspirations in a supportive environment. Participants celebrate successes, empathize with difficulties, cheer on goals, and conclude with a “words of affirmation” segment for positive feedback. This practice aims to boost self-esteem and create a supportive atmosphere.

Each meeting starts with a mental health check-in and member introductions. We structure discussions around participant-submitted inquiries to prioritize member interests. Members can submit questions anonymously to respect privacy, following our community guidelines. We use the Q&A feature on Google Meets for seamless interaction, ensuring a structured and fruitful discussion. This method promotes a respectful, engaging, and supportive environment, fostering a meaningful dialogue that addresses the specific needs and interests of our members.

Our virtual guest speaker events offer a platform for enriching dialogue and shared learning. We feature diverse speakers, including those with lived experience, mental health professionals, students presenting research, and creative professionals showcasing their work. Each presentation is followed by an interactive Q&A, facilitating direct engagement. Students can gather insights for practicums, theses, or academic projects. These events foster a dynamic, supportive community, promoting comprehensive understanding and collaborative learning. Our goal is to create a space where diverse perspectives converge, unraveling the complexities of mental health through engaging discussions and shared experiences.

Our meetings kick off with introductions and a mental health check-in, allowing everyone to share their highs and lows. Afterward, participants take turns sharing their creativity in a structured queue, spanning live music performances, poetry readings, sketches, paintings, video game development, recordings, photography, and more, whether completed or in-progress. Constructive feedback and comments from fellow attendees are encouraged. To wrap up, we delve into a music playlist curated by participants, acknowledging the importance of music in coping with psychosis for many community members. We adhere to community guidelines while sharing creative works, fostering a supportive environment for artistic expression and mutual respect within the community.

Our virtual game nights start with a mental health check-in to establish a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. Following the mental health check-in, we transition into the main event—an engaging virtual gaming experience with various games. Examples include drawing games like Pictionary, video games like Mario Kart, and parlor games like Taboo or Charades. The aim is to create an accessible and enjoyable experience that encourages community-building. We fully support members who prefer to observe rather than actively participate.

Welcome to our movie discussion group, where members engage in thought-provoking conversations about films and TV shows portraying individuals with psychosis. This “PLUS” event includes both student and PLUS members. Our curated movie selections emphasize the need for the respectful portrayal of people living with psychosis, steering clear of harmful stereotypes, and aim to foster critical dialogues on accurate representation. Creatives, especially those writing characters with psychosis, gain valuable insights for authentic portrayals from these discussions. Participants are encouraged to share perspectives in a welcoming atmosphere. Note that movie/streaming service costs are not included in the membership. Join us for enlightening discussions on the power of storytelling in shaping perceptions of psychosis in the media.