Last week I started a discussion thread at Group Beyond Blue (in Beliefnet’s Community) about possibly starting a buddy system within Beyond Blue so we have even more support than is offered through discussion threads, blog comments, and participation in the Self-Esteem Forum. This is what I wrote:

Hi guys,
I was talking to an editor lately [actually, it was Priscilla Warner, of the Faith Club, who thought of this] about different ways we (depressives) might be able to support each other. The self-esteem forum is great, but it’s once a month, and it’s just a letter. For all of you who have attended 12-step support groups, you know all about the sponsorship model, where an older person with more recovery sponsors a younger person. In some of the christian camps that i used to do, we were assigned prayer partners. And then, there is, of course, the buddy system used by the Girl Scouts, etc…. you pair off with someone for support, friendship, etc. Is that an idea worth exploring on Beyond Blue?

I’ve gotten some great feedback on the thread. We could do more of a sponsorship model, where the folks who have more “recovery” could assist those just diagnosed, or pick partners based on our diagnoses, or we could form small groups.
What do you think?