I tried /r/suicidewatch on that other site, but even though I made it clear that I was looking for advice and encouragement, the only two replies I got were in agreement that it doesn’t get better. 😐 /r/depression is even worse by the look of it.

Does anyone know of any good websites, or is it the nature of all of them that they just turn into a crabs-in-the-bucket nightmare? I’m trying to get better but it also gets isolating pretending I’m not depressed all the time.

  • They mostly turn into crabs in a bucket communities because the ones that stick around long term in those communities are usually the doomer types.

    Or at least that was my experience with it years ago.

    My best advice is to avoid those communities as I found they only made my mental health worse rather than better.

    •  Alice   ( @Alice@beehaw.org ) OP
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      48 hours ago

      They mostly turn into crabs in a bucket communities because the ones that stick around long term in those communities are usually the doomer types.

      That explains a lot. I appreciate the advice. Probably saved me a wild goose chase for a non-toxic one.

      • One thing I would recommend though is if you have some hobbies try to find beginner friendly communities for those hobbies as they are usually super positive and helpful, and they’ll give you the chance to be that as well.

        Personally I found helping people dive into the stuff I’m interested in was a massive boost to my mental health.

        There’s just something wonderful about it that I really can’t explain.

        •  liminis   ( @liminis@beehaw.org ) 
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          14 hours ago

          Feeling competent at something is great for your head! Being able to thus share things with others – who, you know, actually want you to share them – just multiplies that.