safety and support on scratch

Instructions

✏️ Hello, fellow goobers! While we’re happy you feel comfortable enough to express yourself in Scratch Chat let's just clarify a few things: ❥ This studio is a safe, respectful space. If you ever deal with serious overwhelming thoughts, you are not alone, but Scratch is not a place to talk about s3lf‑h@rm. The Scratch Community Guidelines do not allow posts about hurting yourself, and this rule exists to keep everyone safe. Scratch is designed for kids, teens, and educators. It’s meant to be a creative, positive, and safe environment not a mental‑health crisis space. Because of that, the Scratch Community Guidelines don’t allow posts about hurting yourself or wanting to stop being alive. This isn’t to silence anyone it's to keep Scratch a welcoming space. Scratch users aren’t therapists, and others, especially young ones shouldn’t be put in the position of trying to handle someone else’s crisis. However, not being allowed to talk about self‑harm on Scratch does NOT mean your feelings don’t matter. It just means you deserve support from people who can actually help you. But since our studio values free speech just as much we've decided to integrate some new rules that keep our studio welcoming to everyone while giving you guys the chance to express yourselves :> ------- ⚠️ NEW RULES: ❥ If your message includes sensitive or heavy topics please add TW (Trigger Warning): [topic] at the top. This is not optional. This helps everyone decide what they’re comfortable reading. Examples: TW: anxiety TW: venting TW: family conflict TW: bullying ❥ Please also avoid posting vague messages like “no one cares about me” or “I guess everyone hates me”. These messages can pressure others to comfort you, which isn’t fair, and it makes it hard for others to respond in a way that's actually helpful. A little context helps everyone understand how to support you while still following Scratch’s rules. --> If you see a comment with a TW and intend to reply to it please do so thoughtfully and respectfully. ❥ This Is Not a Crisis Space We care about you, but if you’re seriously overwhelmed, please reach out to someone you trust offline: a friend, a family member, or someone who can actually help you. ❥ Any mention of s3lf h@rm or hinting towards it in any way is NOT allowed. -------------------- ⚠️ When To Seek Help: (All statements below are supported by reputable mental‑health organizations.) 1. Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness If someone feels down most days for two weeks or longer, it may be a sign of depression. Source: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) 2. Intense anxiety, panic, or constant worry When anxiety becomes hard to control, causes physical symptoms, or interferes with daily life. Source: Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) 3. Losing interest in things you used to enjoy A major symptom of depression called anhedonia. Source: NIMH 4. Big changes in sleep or appetite Sleeping too much or too little, or eating far more or far less than usual. Source: Mayo Clinic 5. Difficulty functioning at school, work, or home trouble focusing, keeping up, or managing responsibilities. Source: American Psychological Association (APA) 6. Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities Pulling away from people or isolating yourself for long periods. Source: APA 7. Strong mood swings that feel out of control Sudden anger, irritability, or emotional ups and downs that affect relationships. Source: NIMH 8. Feeling overwhelmed by stress to the point it affects daily life When stress becomes constant and unmanageable. Source: Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) 10. Thoughts of harming yourself or not wanting to be alive This is always a sign to reach out to a trusted adult or professional immediately. Source: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) ❥ Please note that depression is not always the reason you may feel down. A low mood is a normal emotion, usually tied to something specific like stress, disappointment, exhaustion, conflict, etc. Psychological and psychiatric research shows that sadness typically: ➳Has a clear cause ➳Comes in waves ➳Coexists with other emotions ➳Fades within hours or days Depression, on the other hand, is a medical condition. It lasts most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, and it changes how you function. Not just how you feel. --- ❥ No matter what you’re going through, we want you to know that you’re not alone. Everyone has tough days, confusing feelings, or moments when things feel heavier than usual, and it’s okay to need support. This studio can’t replace real‑life help, but it can be a place where you feel welcomed and treated with the respect you deserve. Stay safe goobers <3 Good job for reading all of this. You get unlimited candy bars :) (brought to you by ace's banking information that I totally didn't steal to pay for all of them) ~ The Scratch Chat Managers