“With Side by Side there is always someone to talk to”

Pi has been using the Side by Side forum for nearly a year now. He explains how the community supports at any time of night or day.

I first came to Mind’s Side by Side community nine months ago as part of my goal to sort out my mental health. I had just started on medication for my depression and begun some talking therapies, but it was the community element of the Side by Side forum that attracted me.

“My mental health problems started when I was made redundant six years ago. Side by
Side is a key part of my recovery.”

I could be anonymous which meant I could talk freely about things that were bothering me, without judgement. It was so nice to share my worries and to get a whole range of supportive responses from people who had been in the same or a similar position as me. Other community members shared their experiences of starting on medication and I found that reassuring. My mental health problems started when I was made redundant six years ago. I didn’t realise at the time how this affected me. When my wife told me something had to change it motivated me to visit my GP. I’m doing much better now, and Side by Side is a key part of my recovery.

I’ve made some great friendships on Side by Side. When one of the users was visiting York I told them about a little fudge shop that I visited 30 years ago. They visited it and even posted a picture of it. It really made me smile, that we could connect over something so small. I like that Side by Side puts me in touch with people from all walks of life and that we can support each other on our journeys.

“Because Side by Side runs 24 hours, you can speak to others who also can’t.”

When you speak to your GP you get a very medical response, and you only have a 10-minute appointment. But with Side by Side there is always someone to talk to, whatever time of day or night it is. Mental health can mess with your sleep patterns, but because Side by Side runs 24 hours you can speak to others who also can’t sleep or who don’t want to disturb their nearest and dearest.

The forum has become part of my maintenance for my mental health and I usually drop in two or three times a week. It might be that something is bugging me and I want to get some advice or just talk about something. But I also feel part of the community so I like to check in with the other users and welcome new people – even it’s just with a virtual smile and a wave. I’ve found that the other Side by Side users are overwhelmingly positive and supportive, and they are willing to share their experiences so you feel you’re not alone.

“There’s such strong comradery on the site – We’re all in the same boat, even if it is a
leaky one at times.”

While social media can get quite nasty, I don’t have to worry about that on Side by Side. It’s moderated, and most people just want to help. There’s such strong comradery on the site – we’re all in the same boat, even if it is a leaky one at times.