Moderation Wellbeing, looking after yourself.

Moderating Help Minds Heal means supporting people who may be distressed, vulnerable, or in crisis. While this role is important, your wellbeing matters just as much as the people you are supporting. This guidance exists to help you moderate safely, sustainably, and without harm to yourself.

You are not a therapist.
Your role is to moderate a space, not to diagnose, counsel, or rescue people. It is okay to set boundaries, redirect users to professional support, and step back when something feels too heavy. You are not expected to have the right words.

You are not responsible for outcomes.
You are not responsible for a user’s choices, whether they follow advice, or whether they seek help. Your responsibility is to signpost, de-escalate where possible, and keep the space safe — not to carry the emotional weight of someone else’s life.

Avoid one-to-one crisis handling.
Where possible, keep sensitive conversations within public or logged moderation channels. Avoid extended private conversations with users in crisis. Do not promise confidentiality or ongoing personal support. If a user needs urgent help, signpost to emergency or crisis services and alert a senior moderator if appropriate.

Step away when needed.
You are not required to be available at all times. Step back if you feel overwhelmed, emotionally numb, angry, detached, or pressured to fix someone. Taking a break is a responsible action.

Protect your emotional boundaries.
It is okay to mute threads or users, rotate difficult moderation tasks, or say that you are not the right person to handle something. You do not need to read or absorb everything in detail to moderate effectively.

Use the team.
If something concerns you, share it with another moderator or escalate it to an admin. Difficult situations and distressing content should not be handled alone.

Look after yourself outside the forum.
Moderating mental health spaces can be emotionally demanding. Set time limits, take breaks from HMH content, and make space to decompress elsewhere. If moderation is affecting your own mental health, speak up.

If you are struggling.
If moderation is triggering or worsening your own mental health, step back immediately. Inform an admin if needed — no explanation is required. Seek support for yourself. Your wellbeing always comes first.

Help Minds Heal only works when the people holding the space are also protected. You are valued for moderating responsibly, including caring for your own wellbeing.