As someone who used to work in IT (corporate network support), and as a supporter/instructor who now works with a population that includes recipients who have both mental health challenges and criminal convictions, I see a LOT of them who feel that they're stuck between a rock and a hard place with no supports. How do you feel when you have nowhere to turn and feel like no one cares? Isn't a fun place to be is it?

It's unfortunate that these peers (and yes, they are our peers) are condemned in the present for mistakes that they may have made 10+ years ago. They know the challenges that they face - how can they not? It's constantly brought up time and time again. It affects their jobs, it affects their rights. It is a consequence of decisions made, and according to the laws they must atone for those mistakes. I don't disagree with that, by the way, but each day when I see them shine because they're given the opportunity to learn pertinent job and coping skills, and go past what the pundits said they were limited to...is just amazing.

We face choices every day, and there are consequences for our actions, both positive and negative depending on that choice. How many choices have you made that were illegal at the time, but did them anyway due to manic episodes, impulsive behaviors, or self-medicating? We all do things that are frowned upon by the justice system...but the majority of us didn't get caught doing it and then get sentenced to prison for it.

So a place for them to feel welcome isn't a bad thing, and frankly there's likely more people on this site that have had similar past experiences than we're aware of...afraid to reveal themselves due to the stigma. I admit having challenges with such topics as child-related abuse crimes, but I usually realize that's a prejudice from my past that intensifies that. On the other hand, how can I condemn someone without even knowing them? I don't feel any better judging them. Their problems don't make me better than them, I just was perhaps more fortunate to not get in trouble for the stupidities I committed when I was a youth.

Back to the logistics - if it is a forum, likely it needs to be moderated and closed so that they have a place to go where they're allowed to be free to discuss their own problems, and put it into a controlled environment. Yes, enforce the normal rules that are here or tweak them so they fit...but don't stifle the users it's meant to help. It will take persistent, but gentle moderation just like it does everywhere else, but it can be done. It's not that hard really to make up a trust agreement that defines expectations and consequences, and what is required to keep safe boundaries.

If not here, then provide links to places that will be more accepting. I do think we'd be doing a disservice to others who have been treated like garbage because they weren't understood by the general population. I don't know about you, but I think it sucks having to remain hidden because people treat me like crap; they stereotype those of us with mental illness because not only do they not understand, they're not willing enough to be open-minded to learn more.

For the record, I cringe at the word 'victims'. Something like 'survivors' seems more positive in addressing their experiences. Definitely in expressing my own. But it is up to the individual to describe themselves how they wish.

Maybe this will work, maybe it won't, but don't we owe it to our peers to at least give them a chance to thrive in an environment that accepts them as they are?

-K