We’ve had several discussions at Group Beyond Blue (at Beliefnet Community) about how we can welcome the newbies into our community and how to be sure not to miss those who need the support but might not be as chatty as the regular folks. One system we came up with is to have a monthly newbie thread, where all those who joined Group Beyond Blue during the month can introduce themselves and tell us a little about what they need or hope to get from the group.

September’s thread seemed to work well. Because all the veteran Group Beyond Blue members made sure they check into the newbie thread to welcome them in. That way we don’t have to comb through all the discussion threads to see the new faces.

Another purpose of this monthly thread is to ask those newbies, or any Group Beyond Blue member, if they would like a letter for their self-esteem file. I am in the process of forming a committee of letter-writers, to replace the Self-Esteem Forum that Group Beyond Blue hosted every month.

So be sure to check out each month’s newbie thread and say hello to our newer members.

To read more Beyond Blue, go to www.beliefnet.com/beyondblue, and to get to Group Beyond Blue, a support group at Beliefnet Community, click here.