I am addressing this note to our community. I am a relatively new member, but a frequent poster, and I have noticed a problem. That is, occasionally people will start a thread that evidently they mean to be humorous or joking. However, these people do not indicate this intent. Also, relatedly, people will not go into much detail about what they mean. Therefore, the people who respond, such as me, end up answering in a way that is not expected.

I, for one, anyway, take the posts in the regular forums very seriously. My mindset when I chime in is that the person who is posting is genuinely upset about something and/or wanting help for what is a distressing problem. You all know that we do get posts from people who are really hurting, who really need help, and who are genuinely wanting us to take them at face value. I do not take this responsibility lightly.

Please, then, if you wish to joke or make light of something, either do that in one of the social groups or let that be known from the beginning. And provide more details, for goodness sake. Most of us are in our own struggles with mental and/or physical disorders, but we are trying our best to put those struggles aside and reach out to other people who need our help and support.

Thank you!