KindnessRX Community Guidelines

Creating a Safe and Supportive Space Together

Welcome to the KindnessRX community! Our goal is to foster a warm, supportive, and safe environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing, connecting, and growing together. To achieve this, we ask all members participating in our website discussions, GoBrunch peer support groups, and any related events to read and adhere to the following guidelines.

These guidelines are designed to ensure respectful interaction, protect privacy, and maintain the focus on mutual peer support. By participating, you agree to uphold these principles.

Our Guiding Principles

1. Respect and Kindness Above All:

  • Treat every member with courtesy, respect, and kindness, even when you disagree.
  • Listen actively and strive to understand different perspectives.
  • Avoid personal attacks, insults, name-calling, harassment, bullying, or discriminatory language of any kind (related to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, age, etc.).
  • Assume positive intent where possible, but address harmful behavior directly through reporting channels.

2. Confidentiality and Privacy:

  • What is shared in the support groups stays in the support groups. Do not share personal stories, details, or identifying information about other members outside of the specific group context.
  • Be mindful of your own privacy. Avoid sharing overly specific personal identifying information (full names, addresses, phone numbers, workplaces) in public forums or even within groups unless you are fully comfortable with the potential audience.
  • Do not record, screenshot, or otherwise capture content from GoBrunch sessions or private community discussions without explicit permission from all involved parties.
  1. Focus on Peer Support (Not Professional Advice):
  • Our communities, especially the GoBrunch groups, are based on peer support – sharing lived experiences, offering mutual understanding, and providing encouragement.
  • Members (including facilitators, unless explicitly stated otherwise) are not acting as licensed therapists or medical professionals.
  • Do not offer medical or psychological advice. Share what has worked for you (“I found X helpful…”) rather than telling others what they should do (“You need to do Y…”).
  • This community is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health treatment. Please consult qualified professionals for diagnosis and treatment plans. Refer to our Disclaimer for more information.
  • Crisis Situations: This community is not equipped to handle immediate crises. If you or someone you know is in crisis or danger, please contact emergency services (e.g., 911 in the US) or a crisis hotline immediately. (Internal Link Opportunity: Link to a “Crisis Support Information” resource page/section if available).
  1. Maintain Safety and Appropriateness:
  • Do not share content that is illegal, threatening, abusive, defamatory, graphically violent, sexually explicit, or promotes self-harm or harm to others.
  • No solicitation, spamming, advertising, or promoting personal businesses/services is allowed within community spaces.
  • Respect the specific topic or focus of each GoBrunch group or discussion thread.
  1. Inclusivity and Welcoming Atmosphere:
  • Help create a space where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and valued.
  • Be mindful of diverse experiences and perspectives. Use inclusive language.
  • Challenge stereotypes respectfully.
  1. Constructive Communication:
  • Focus on sharing your own experiences and feelings using “I” statements.
  • Offer support and validation rather than unsolicited advice or judgment.
  • If disagreements arise, focus on the topic, not the person, and communicate respectfully. It’s okay to agree to disagree.

Moderation and Reporting

  • Our community spaces (including GoBrunch groups) may be moderated or facilitated to help uphold these guidelines.
  • Moderators/Facilitators have the right to intervene, remove content, or remove members who violate these guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
  • If you witness behavior that violates these guidelines or makes you feel unsafe, please report it immediately to the group facilitator or through our Contact Us page.

Shared Responsibility

Creating a truly supportive community is a shared responsibility. We rely on every member to contribute positively and help maintain a space grounded in kindness, respect, and safety. Thank you for being a part of KindnessRX and for helping us build this valuable resource together.