Re: [Wikimedia-l] How to get help (an essay)

I really appreciate your sharing this (last winter and now). Kindness is indeed a higher calling, and tightly bound to sharing & protecting the rights and opportunities of others. Sj On May 18, 2016 14:21, "Jake Orlowitz" &lt;jorlowitz(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: Hi, In light of yesterday's public call for help from one of our editors, I'd like to share something I wrote last winter. It's called, Journey of a Wikipedian. https://medium.com/@jakeorlowitz/journey-of-a-wikipedian-c2890e3a8d0c#.o2hy… < https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JRXqb6IcsVi3nEpXnN1FBSVLveAJgazJxPJj1tl… -- It reminds me of a few things worth stating: 1. We are a community of very real people with deep emotions and human complexities. 2. We are deeply invested in this project, so much so it hurts us at times even if it is also a passion or refuge for many. 3. You never know what someone has been through, or is going through. 4. We all need help at some point. There is no shame in needing help, asking for help, or receiving help. 5. If you are ever feeling completely hopeless: Wait. Things really can get better. Talk to someone about it. 6. Mental health carries a powerful stigma. The more we are open about it, the less that weighs all of us down. 7. If we listen, we can learn from each other. 8. We need to be kind. This is a higher calling than civility, and entirely compatible with rigorously sharing knowledge. 9. Our movement depends on its people. We are our most valuable resource. 10. We are not finished products. With time, space, support, and practice--people can, and do, grow and change. Hugs, Jake Orlowitz (Ocaasi) p.s. If you ever see someone in need of help, or are seeking it yourself, please contact emergency(a)wikimedia.org. _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe> _______________________________________________ Wikimedia-l mailing list, guidelines at: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Mailing_lists/Guidelines New messages to: Wikimedia-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org Unsubscribe: https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimedia-l, <mailto:wikimedia-l-request@lists.wikimedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>