Resources

## Mental Health Resources

### Message of Appreciation

If you are here for mental health reasons, I just wanted to let you know how loved and valued you are. Life can be extremely hard, but I am sure it will get better soon. I know everything seems so tough right now, but I believe in your strength and your ability to push through whatever you are facing in life. No matter who you are, I am so proud of you for getting through each day. It's okay to ask for help and to take a break when you need it, you are not alone. You are so important, and we love and appreciate you so much. Below are some hotlines if you need to speak to a professional, I believe in you.

### International Hotlines

-> Find your country: https://www.helpguide.org/find-help.htm

-> Find your country: https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/

-> Find your country: https://checkpointorg.com/global/

### Hotlines for the Blind/Hard of Hearing/Deaf

-> For the hard of hearing/deaf: https://www.chime.ie/news/need-to-get-in-touch-with-someone-urgently

-> For the blind: https://www.rnib.org.uk/rnib-helpline

### US Hotlines

-> https://www.crisistextline.org/

-> https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/

-> Free 24/7 confidential counseling, simply text HOME to 741741

-> Phone or text 988 to contact the 'Suicide & Crisis Lifeline'

### Canadian Hotlines

-> https://www.crisistextline.org/

-> Canada Suicide Prevention Service (French and English): Phone or text [(833) 456 4566]

### European Hotlines

-> Find your country here: https://www.coe.int/en/web/istanbul-convention/help-lines

-> Helplines for Young People: https://www.mhe-sme.org/library/youth-helplines/ (interact with the map!)

### Asia Hotlines

-> Find your country: https://trystressmanagement.com/mental-health-resources/asias-hotlines/

### Oceania Hotlines

Find your country: https://trystressmanagement.com/mental-health-resources/australia-and-oceanias-hotlines/

## System Info/Resources (DID/OSDD)

### What are Systems and DID/OSDD?

Systems are people who have DID or OSDD. DID and OSDD are identity disorders! DID stands for 'Dissociative Identity Disorder', while OSDD stands for Other Specified Dissociative Disorder. These disorders were known previously as MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder) which is an outdated term, and should not be used when talking to systems! These disorders are very serious, and are caused by repeated trauma in the person's childhood.

People with DID/OSDD have alters (aka headmates), which are changes in their state of consciousness caused by dissociative barriers. These alters can have different ages, names, appearances and more! There are also many types of alters, for example introjerts (aka fictives/factives), which are alters that were introjected from a source, and these sources can vary from friends, media, pictures, and songs.

### What is Pluralkit?

Pluralkit is a bot that many systems use to communicate on discord, as it allows them to show more easily (through a webhook) which alter is fronting. Even though they have a 'bot' symbol beside their name, they are not bots, and should not be referred to as one. Alters should be treated like any normal person, so they should be shown respect as you would anybody else. These alters are not roleplaying as their source, so please do not treat them like they are! It is totally okay to find it confusing, but if you see someone using Pluralkit with a name that is a well known content creator or celebrity, please understand that this is an introjert and not the content creator/celebrity themselves. Please be respectful and do not attack them for 'impersonating', or compare them to their source in any way.

### Language used by Systems

There are many terms you might not be familiar with in relation to systems. A common term you might hear is "body" when referring to a system. This is referring to the person's body. For example, many alters can have different ages, but the "body age" is the age assigned at birth, just like any non-system's age. You also might hear the word "headspace" too. This is the place alters go when they are not fronting. Some systems don't have a headpsace, while others have big detailed ones, or very small ones. It's different for every system!

The term "fronting" is also quite common, and it means the alter that is currently conscious and in control of the body, but systems can also have many alters fronting at the same time! The term "host" usually refers to the alter that fronts the most in the system, and who carries out most of the daily tasks, which means they generally are the ones who are speaking and being the most active. The term 'littles' refers to alters who are young and usually underage. A DNI (Do Not Interact) alter is an alter that shouldn't be interacted with because they can often be irritable and can lash out at others easily.

### Links

Here are some more in-depth websites if you want to learn more!

-> http://traumadissociation.com/dissociativeidentitydisorder.html

-> https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/dissociation-and-dissociative-disorders/dissociative-disorders/

-> https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Dissociative-Disorders

-> https://did-research.org/

## LGBTQIA+ Info/Resources

### Pronouns

Pronouns are how we communicate with people without using their names. There are lots of different pronouns, and they can help a lot with feeling comfortable in your own skin. It's important to respect everyone's pronouns as well as we can.

-> How to use pronouns and why they are important: https://www.mypronouns.org/neopronouns#

### Coming Out

Coming out as your preferred gender/sexuality can be really scary and daunting for some. Please make sure you are in a safe environment to do so! You are so valid, no matter what your sexuality or gender is.

-> Advice on coming out: https://www.hrc.org/resources/coming-out

### LGBTQIA+ Terms

The language you use while referring to members of the LGBTQIA+ is so important! Many terms are outdated and can cause offence to some. Check out the links below for some help with terminology.

-> https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-advice/faqs-and-glossary/list-lgbtq-terms

-> https://wearefamilycharleston.org/lgbt-glossary-az

### Gender Affirming Surgery/Items

Feeling comfortable in who you are and your own skin is such a necessary part of life. Check out this link for financial aid with gender affirming surgeries! (Only available to 18+ in the US).

-> https://www.pointofpride.org/annual-transgender-surgery-fund

There are also items that many people can use to help with feeling comfortable in their own skin, however these are often pricey! Check out this link that offers financial aid for those who are unable to purchase such items.

-> https://wearefamilycharleston.org/tgnc-gear

### LGBTQIA+ Helplines

International: https://lgbt.foundation/helpline

UK: https://switchboard.lgbt/

US and Canada: https://translifeline.org/

## BIPOC Info/Resources

### Racism

Racism is a collection of actions, discrimination, prejudice or hatred towards someone simply because of their skin colour, ethnicity or national origins. Racism can occur anywhere, at any time, and has been an ongoing issue for thousands of years.

Racism is usually associated with harassment, slur usage or acts of abuse, but these are not the only ways racism takes place.

### Systemic Racism

Systemic/Institutional racism is a type racism that is embedded within the laws and regulations of society and organisations. It is particularly noticed within the legal system, employment, housing, health care and more.

What would be an example of this? Well, in terms of criminal justice, it is a well known fact that POC (People of Colour) are much more likely to receive a longer prison sentence than a white person who commits the same crime. This is because judges in court of law automatically see a BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Colour), and have a bias against them, simple because they are not white.

Not only is this completely racist, but it also contributes to the way other people around the globe see POC. Favouring white people only strengthens white privilege, which further divides the equality between white people and BIPOC.

### White Privilege

White privilege is the idea that puts the unfair societal advantages white people have into the spotlight. This often comes in the form of an ignorance about race issues that can be frustrating. If you are a white person, please recognise that advantages may have been conferred to you in society due to your race.

### AAVE

AAVE stands for African American Vernacular English. It is a variation of English spoken by African Americans who are mostly in the working or middle classes. It has its own grammar rules, vocabulary and accent! A lot of the vocabulary and phonology is shared with the rural southern dialects of the USA due to the connections between the south and African American history.

Many people refer to AAVE as gen-z "slang" and mock it for being sloppy and ignorant. This is extremely disrespectful! For many generations, African Americans have been shamed and humiliated for using AAVE, and this is steeped in racism.

Some of these words are very common, and widely used. People don't deserve to mocked for the way they talk. Common examples of frequently used AAVE terms include:

Links to learn more:

-> https://thetab.com/uk/2021/04/15/aave-words-202195

-> https://words.usask.ca/helus/2020/01/21/linguistic-appropriation-aave/

-> https://www.languagejones.com/blog-1/2014/6/8/what-is-aave

## Religious Info/Resources

All different people from around the world have different religions, with completely different sets of beliefs! Religion usually includes worshipping something, whether it be a God(s), person of the past or item. A lot of religions also use sacred texts to worship, for example, Christianity uses the Bible and Islam uses the Quran.

Because each religion is so different from each other, it will be hard to agree on some things, which is totally okay! It is important to respect everyone's religious beliefs, even if they don't align with your own. Some people don't have a religion either, while others may be unsure, and that is also completely valid.

A person's religion can often be influenced by culture, past experiences as well as upbringing. It is not okay to make fun of someone's religion, or to mock them for their personal beliefs. It is also important to not let religion define your friendships! Just because someone has different beliefs than you, doesn't mean they can't be a wonderful friend.

## Symbol Info

Many languages and religions use symbols. A lot of symbols we see in the media are actually belonging to closed cultures! POC have spoken out and expressed feelings towards feeling disrespected when people who are not apart of the culture use the symbols for aesthetic purposes, so it is best to steer clear of using them. Please look up what a symbol means and stands for if you aren't sure what it entails. Also try to avoid policing languages whose cultures you are not a part of.