SSAA Group Chats
Outreach Outside SSAA Meetings
Connect with SSAA Participants:
Join our community on the WIRE platform, an anonymous and encrypted messaging app similar to WhatsApp. WIRE offers a safe space for SSAA participants to connect and support each other.
SSAA Group Chats Include:
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SSAA Talk About Anything Chat: A space for group and individual connections where you can seek one-on-one support or reach out to the entire group.
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SSAA Worldwide Chat: Stay updated with important business announcements, including schedule changes, Zoom links, and meeting reminders.
Getting Added to Chats:
Once you're registered, just ask a member to add you to the chat rooms at any time. You can request immediate access or wait until after joining the meetings. You may remove yourself at any time.
How to Join:
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Register for SSAA Meetings: Click on "Register for Meetings" to get started.
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Orientation Meeting: After registration, a volunteer will contact you to conduct a newcomer orientation meeting.
Setting Up Your WIRE Account:
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Create an account.
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Connect with an SSAA member.
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You’ll be added to the chat(s) once connected.
We look forward to welcoming you to our supportive community!
Chat Guidelines
Focus and Content
As a trauma recovery group, we want to support one another by creating a safe and connected space.
Primary Focus: Chats are intended for sharing personal experiences, support, and recovery-related topics.
Casual Connection: Casual connection is also welcome (for example: saying hi, sharing updates, lighter moments, pets, books, or things that bring comfort).
Outside Topics: If outside topics are mentioned (political, social, religious, etc.), please keep the focus on how they are affecting you personally, rather than debating or sharing general opinions on the issue itself.
Alarming or Fear-Based Content
To create a feeling of safety, and because some of us experience hypervigilance, general alarms or warnings can feel especially activating.
Please be mindful that alarming or fear-based content—such as general warnings about danger or statements about others—can be activating for some members. When possible, we encourage focusing on your personal experience and the specific support you may need in those moments.
One-Sided Posting
Some members find that long, stream-of-consciousness or multiple rapid posts from one person can feel overwhelming in the shared space.
Members are encouraged to group thoughts into fewer posts when possible, as posting volume may impact others’ ability to participate.
Back-and-Forth Between a Few People
Some members find that extended back-and-forth conversations between a small number of people can take up space in the main chat.
Members who find themselves in ongoing back-and-forth conversations are encouraged to move those conversations to private messages.
This allows for deeper, more personal connection while helping keep the group chat open and accessible for others to participate.
Trigger Awareness
When sharing potentially activating material (for example: violence, sexual content, graphic detail), include a brief trigger note at the beginning of your share.
Example:
Trigger warning for Violence Trigger warning for sexual content
It also may be helpful to clarify the purpose of your post so others know how to best support you.
Examples:
Purpose: hoping for support Purpose: hoping for advice Purpose: I just need to vent
- Members are encouraged to pause and reflect before responding if they feel activated.
Peer Support Statement
This group is peer support. We are not therapists, and chat is not a substitute for professional care. Members are encouraged to consider whether this space is meeting their needs.
It can be helpful to connect privately with other members through Wire, email, phone calls or texting.