Because I have concrete evidence that it does. It helped me get back on my feet two years ago after I had a series of tragic losses and I ended up in the hospital after staying out for 25 years. Support from here was instrumental in my recovery from that hospitalization and hopefully I have helped someone else the same way. It’s called, “Paying it forward”. Also, just hearing one person tell me I am a nice person can motivate me to pay that forward too and be friendly to people on here and in real life.
But I hear it multiple times and I know it’s true but that just reinforces my goal to be a good person. It may sound corny but it is very important to me. And it’s even better when I hear it from other long-time members. Because it’s the same thing for me when my two older sisters who have known me for 57 years still want to be around me and like me. Now that is what I call a compliment and an accomplishment.
I feel that it also helps me in many ways. I’ve also been hurt here and there but to be fair I’ve also done the hurting to my own guilt.
I think it’s the idea that we can express ourselves without grave punitive judgement and that being able to learn from one another really helps the recovery process.
2 years ago I had a psychotic breakdown and had to be involuntarily hospitalized.
The forum members including the moderators were very supportive.
Chokes me up just thinking about it.