Mental Health Letter

May is Mental Health Awareness month. You can learn more about it HERE on the NAMI website: "For 2021’s Mental Health Awareness Month NAMI will continue to amplify the message of “You Are Not Alone.” We will use this time to focus on the healing value of connecting in safe ways, prioritizing mental health and acknowledging that it’s okay to not be okay through NAMI’s blog, personal stories, videos, digital toolkits, social media engagements and national events." (From the NAMI webpage)

Yes, this is a long description, but I think I have answered everything, so read carefully!

This swap is International you will have 1 partner You will write your partner a letter sharing your story related to mental health. This can be your personal account, or it can be your experience with a loved one who experienced mental health conditions. (You can absolutely change names to protect privacy.) The idea is that by sharing and reading stories of real people, we will fell less alone in these journeys and increase awareness of mental health.

Edit 5/13: Please include a 'trigger warning' at the beginning of your letter for any topics that may cause your partner distress while reading your letter. Such as: Violence, abuse (childhood, verbal, substance, sexual), rape, suicide, self-harm.

I do believe in giving new swappers a chance to join some swaps, so this is a newbie friendly swap.

Please address the envelope clearly following USPS standards! You can find their instructions here: USPS Delivery Address Please be sure to use your name/address in the return address area on the envelope.

THE SWAP For this swap, you will have 1 partner and you will write your partner a letter (handwritten or typed, minimum 2 pages about A5/5x8 in size. 1 page = 1 side of a sheet of paper; front and back of a sheet of paper = 2 pages). You do not need to use stationery, plain, undecorated paper is fine. This swap is about sharing your story, the words rather than the decoration. However, if you wish to use stationery or add decoration, that is fine. Please just be sure it can be clearly read and complete. I really don't like putting a length requirement on letters. Please add a 'trigger warning' for traumatic topics in your letter. And, please remember - you do not have to go into more detail than you are comfortable with.

List the swap title and your swap-bot ID on the letter please!

Personal topics like this can be very difficult to write, so I encourage you to start on or complete this letter before joining the swap. This swap is not profile specific, so you can write it ahead of time - then, if it's too tough to share your story, you can drop from the swap before partners are assigned. I really wouldn't want anyone to be rated down for this swap, as that is so disappointing. But this is a swap and you are required to send out on time.

You will have 1 week from the time partners are assigned until the send by date! Be sure you can send out on time.

That is the swap. No envelope decoration required, no tuck ins required (if you wish to send them stickers or such as an extra, please check their profile - some people don't like tuck ins.)

This is NOT a pen pal swap You are not required to reply to the letter. If you would like to continue to communicate with your partner, please message them directly.

Not sure how to write a letter? Check THIS SITE

Not sure what to write about? Check THIS SITE for some letter prompts.

Who can join? This IS a newbie friendly swap, so new swappers may join.

Your profile MUST be WELL FILLED OUT - this shows the swap host that you are invested in being a member of swap-bot, and it gives your partner something to read, prompts of what to ask you or write about. You profile should contain several sections, and include topics about your likes/dislikes, interests, hobbies. If you have pictures on your profile, they don't take the place of actual content - this is a writing swap, so your profile should show me that you liked to write!

The send by date is not a suggestion! It is a requirement! You should be ready to send no later than the send by date. This is a simple, flat mail swap, so have a stamp ready and a card, and you should be all set. If you cannot mail on time, you MUST contact your partner and swap host. That is courtesy, and communication can solve a lot of problems.

I use a manual rating filter for letter swaps But if you have 1's or 3's on your ratings, please be sure they are explained fully, and resolved. No late sends on your dash. If you have a bunch of 'ratings booster' type 1 swaps in your ratings, you just might get banned from the swap. Following through with a swap, especially one like this, is very important.

Ratings You MUST rate your partner. If you receive a note card with a letter written in it - and with the swap title and swap bot ID & sent on time, you should rate a 5. If there are any problems, please message your partner, and your host!

If the letter you receive from your partner has trigger warnings that you are uncomfortable with reading, you do not HAVE to read the letter. You CAN rate your partner on the length of their letter and if they sent it on time. I don't wish to cause anyone undo stress or trauma.

Yes, mail is moving slowly but don't use that as an excuse for not sending on time.

I will angel this swap, once communication has happened and you have rated a 1. Please contact me with any problems.

If anyone knows of a problem swapper who is signed up for this swap, please feel free to tell me in a Private Message - please do not leave comments below. I will check forums and lists, but I'm not perfect, so I welcome constructive information from other swappers.

IF you have ANY questions about this swap, please SEND ME A PM. Do not leave comments below - I won't see them, and I won't have time to respond.

Assigning partners For new swappers - the Swap Bot system assigns partners, not the host. You can find more information about it in the 'help' tab at the top right side of the screen. I cannot control who you are partnered up with, and you will be required to send to whomever you are paired up with.

Sign up ends at midnight of the day listed. I am located in the Pacific North West of the USA (Pacific time), and I try to assign partners by noon, my time, the day after the sign up deadline.

I start vetting swap members before sign up ends. If I send you a message with a question, and you don't reply by the time I assign partners, I will remove you from the swap (I don't like the word 'ban' - that is the swap-bot word) and will leave you a reason. Once partners are assigned, you are required to send to your partner and on time.

Each host decides who they feel will best work for the swap they are hosting. Just because you've swapped 100 times doesn't mean you'll meet requirements for all swaps. I don't automatically ban new swappers - quite the opposite, I want to help new swappers. But you still need to meet my requirements.