Ever since I joined Skyblock more than two years ago, one of the quintessential aspects of the community, is how well we treat each other, and how much we care for each other. And that, in and of itself, is a fantastic thing. We establish solid friendships and lasting relations. But there's an ugly underbelly to this kind of emotional attachment; and that is the problem I want to address here.

A lot of players on Skyblock are dealing with issues in their personal lives; often times very serious issues. Some are shy, some are lonely, and some just don't feel like they fit in elsewhere. And as a community, we like to offer our ears and hearts when your world crumbles. But Skyblock is NOT an educated therapist, and that is important to remember.

I've seen people calling out in the chat that they are suicidal, or just plain giving up. And when nobody responds, it can be devastating. It leaves you feeling even more alone. But you have to understand, it is not their job, nor their experience to deal with so serious issues. When I moderated here, people would contact me with all kinds of issues that I had no idea how to deal with. I love you all, but when you tell me you're about to slit your wrist, what can I honestly say that will stop you?

I understand we all have personal drama to deal with. And I understand you'd like your friends to be there for you. But we need to end this constant calling to attention our issues. If you have all these issues, we can't help you. Maybe we can dull the pain for a little, but you NEED to talk to someone who knows how to tackle these issues. Someone who has an actual education.

It breaks my heart to see so many people suffering, and turning to Skyblock for help. To those of you dealing with personal things, I will happily talk to you about it, and be there for you, as will the community. But as a community, we also have a responsibility to be honest with you; if you are troubled, if you are suicidal, or if you've just plain given up, PLEASE talk to someone else than just Skyblock. Someone who can help you fix your problems.

 

Almost everywhere I go I find drama. Mostly in the school and the house ._.

 

I agree with you on this. So many people do it just to either joke around or rant and what not. Self-harm is a very touchy subject with me and I am sure it is for some others as well. There are many other ways to go about things then announcing that you're going to do such a thing to yourself. For anyone who has dealt with things like that there are hotlines you can call and even online websites. Any-who like Arti said, keep it off of Skyblock, if that just keep it out of public chat.

 

Better than Obama's one last time

 

LOL

 

Agreed

By roasting people.

 

Most people do it for attention. Like what Krissy said, if you see someone say too much you wonder if they just want attention or if they're seriously asking for help. There is no inbetween

 

Yep.

 

I totally agree with this.

 

Whoever can cause the most drama gets Donor400 and Overlord

 

By roasting each other.

It's minecraft guys, who cares.

So they go to minecraft to get attention, ah I see.

 

Actually, a lot of people do. It's not the game, it's the community. And it's great that Art has brought awareness to this as it's a reoccurring problem. As a human, you should feel the need to help others. if you're shrugging it off as "It's minecraft" then I think you need to have a long, hard think about the way you're l0ooking at it.

 

Are you depressed?
Are you suicidal?
But lack the motivation to take the last step?

Then we have THE solution: go to a random minecraft server and ask for help

or /trust

 

What I'm saying, and what I guess Stel wanted to say and that goes the same way as Artificiality is that a game Forum / Server is possibly the worse place to seek for help. You might well find some, yes, that's true. But what is much more important, because way more risky, is the fact that you might as well NOT find some. Get online at some time noone is here to hear you, noone who cares. This can only get you more depressed.

Whereas a professional is always there. There are even 24/7 Hotlines who take care of that for free. At least where I live.

 

See, on Org, I've had to deal with alot of people that talk like this, that act like nobody cares about them, and I'm not even a moderator. I'm not qualified to do these things. But I still do. Because I don't mind it. I like to be the person who can take a little time out of their day, maybe just 10 minutes, to save someone's life. To make them feel loved. To make them feel welcomed. Can't we all just do this? It's better than the alternative, of losing another person who could have had a purpose, who could have done something great, and someone who could have influenced and changed the future for the better.

 

I would summarize what Art said and say that going to friends for minor things is just fine, but if there's a real problem people need to see a qualified therapist not a video game.

 

I understand why some people say "well, it's just a game," but understand that it is not about the game. It is about the community that is built around this server and how we interact. And as some have already said above this post, is that the problem arises when players start turning to the community for actual therapeutic treatment. The community may well be equipped to deal with the death of a pet, but it does more damage than good to turn to a server full of young, mostly inexperienced people when you're dealing with - for example - suicidal tendencies or symptoms of bipolar disorder.

 

I wish everyone in the world would chill