Sensitive Topics

Sensitive topics are subjects which involve serious, heavy content that need to be handled very carefully, as they may concern, stress or harm others either from engaging in or viewing their discussion. Rhapsody is no place for these topics, and discussions carried out of this nature (both on discord and in-game) will be intervened by staff.

## Why can't we talk about anything we want to?

One of the principals of Rhapsody is maintaining a place where its members can put down their current circumstances, struggles, worries, and the situations they are already so familiar with to **take a break** from them and the already-prominent affects of these forms of baggage they experience every day within every other facet of their lives. You *can* talk about anything you want to- and you should! Just not on Rhapsody. There is a much better place for heavy discussion somewhere else, where there are open ears, and people interested in discussing sensitive topics. Rhapsody is not that place- but rather a place for respite from such subjects.

## The Topic Blacklist

On July 20th, 2022, the #do-not-discuss channel was born within Rhapsody's Discord server. This channel includes a list of topics you should avoid discussing while chatting on the server. The topic blacklist includes topics such as (but not limited to):

* Illness (Mental or physical)
* Injury
* Suicide
* Self harm
* Mental disorders, some aspects of neurodivergence. (Depression, eating disorders, PTSD, etc.
	+ Examples of what's not okay when discussing mental illness & neurodivergence:
	+ Unhealthy coping/self neglect.
	+ Intrusive thoughts.
	+ Debating mental health.
	+ Anything that could cause worry or distress or sounds as if you're in immediate danger.
* Needles
* Prolonged details about medical/physical health problems. (ex: flu symptoms, surgeries, stitches, etc.)
* Abortion and the laws surrounding it.
* Animal cruelty.
* Climate change.
* Death (Unless referred to in a positive light or mentioned as a part of traditions. e.g; Day of the Dead, funeral/mortician practices.)
* Dying or impending death of yourself or any other individual.
* Statements of self deprecation or self hatred. Not even jokingly or hinting at it.
* Religious trauma. "*Sorry USA deep south people.*"
* Circumstantial poverty and serious financial issues.
* Last will and testament.
* Please don't diagnose people with stuff or look for a diagnosis within this community. Rely on a medical professional's word (NOT the members of this server) for both physical and mental diagnosis, treatment and advice.

These are ALL topics which NEED to be discussed and thought about by everyone at some point in their life. However, there is a time and a place for everything, and this server is just not the right place. Within this server you are encouraged to find an appropriate location to have discussions on the topics listed above, whether that's a different server, through private messages, or with a medical professional or licensed therapist.

## What IS NOT Considered Sensitive

Obviously there are topics you can discuss that may involve subjects that others may not necessarily be familiar with, but are okay to talk about. Some examples of what **IS NOT** and **NEVER WILL BE** blacklisted are:

* Spoilers for games, shows, movies, etc. (though these should be placed behind a spoiler bar if discussing within discord.)
* Any opinions that do not have violent, explicit, sexual, or political weight.
* The discussion of oddly specific people, places, and some objects. (Oprah, The backrooms, hats.)
* Hyperfixations and habits (within server/discord guidelines).
* Advice (when requested, or ask first).
* Educational explanations of non-violent, non-explicit, non-sexual, and non-political ideas, topics, and subjects.

## Consequences

The consequence of discussing any sensitive topic on Rhapsody often radiates much further than a mute or ban. You must recall that you are interacting with other individuals that need a safe place to chat just as well as you do. When you violate our policy regarding the discussion of sensitive topics, not only are you breaking one of the rules of the server, but you are robbing others of an environment that is free from stress and dysfunction. Rhapsody aims to maintain it's good atmosphere and safety, and you should do your best to stay congruent with this objective by kindly avoiding the topics listed both here and within #do-not-discuss.