FAQ & Info
Note: Take This cannot be held responsible for the use of the information provided. Please always consult a trained mental health professional before making any decision regarding treatment of yourself or others.
Self-help information and information from the Internet is useful, but it is not a substitute for professional assistance. Please seek professional help immediately: if you have thoughts of killing (or otherwise harming) yourself or others; if you are gravely disabled (unable to care for yourself); if you are abusing substances; or if you or someone else is in any danger of harm.
The sole purpose of Take This is to offer resources and information to those dealing with mental health issues. We cannot, and will not, assuming the role of your physician or therapist.
If you are in need of help, please contact a qualified mental health care provider.
How to Talk About Mental Health
Tips
- Self-care matters. Self-care and wellness are two cornerstone principles of Take This and our outreach efforts. We ask that in all of your streaming activities, especially prolonged streaming efforts, you visibly and overtly practice self-care (e.g., taking breaks and eating) as an example for the viewing public.
- Validation matters. Expect that people will talk about their mental health when you are streaming for us. Please validate their concerns and struggles in an empathic manner, and then offer our mental health resource page (see below).
- Language Matters. What we say, and how we say it, matter a lot to people experiencing mental health challenges. It’s easy to use mental health terms in common language, not being aware that they can shame and impact people challenged by these conditions.
- Example: “This is unbelievable.” vs. “This is insane.”
- Example: “I’m so OCD.” vs. “I’m really picky.”
- Label the diagnosis, not the person. We are all people first. Our mental health does not define us, positively or negatively. To that end, generally avoid identifying or labelling a person as their diagnosis, or with that identifier. Mental health diagnoses are only one part of a person, not their whole identity, and our language should reflect that.
- Example: “People with mental health challenges.” vs. “Mentally ill people.”
Facts on Mental Health
- An estimated 1-in-2 Americans will be diagnosed with a mental health condition in their lifetime.
- Approximately 1-in-5 will be diagnosed in a given year.
- The most common types of diagnoses in the US are anxiety disorders, of which there are many types.
- 50% of lifetime cases of mental health conditions begin by age 14, and 75% by age 24.
- Nearly 4 out of 10 people with major depressive disorder did not receive treatment in 2016
- Of all those who suffer from mental conditions, 94% are generally able to function in their daily lives, though some with more effort than others.
- Trust and a good working relationship with your therapist is a major factor in positive outcome.
Take This Resources
- Take This mental health resource page
- How to find a therapist (article and flowchart)
- One-page guide for streamers, created with AFSP and AdCouncil
- What is Depression?
- How to Be a Good Friend… (at Geek & Sundry)
- How to Work Well with Others… (at Geek & Sundry)
- How to Support a Friend With Depression (at Geek & Sundry)
- How to Stop Playing a Character IRL (at Geek & Sundry)
Being an advocate versus being a professional
This is often a matter of some confusion. Please see our article on this topic. We also have a handy graphic.
Promotion
Cross posting an article you wrote for us
If you’d like to cross post an article you write for us, that’s generally fine as long as the following rules are followed:
- The original post is exclusive to Take This for at least 24 hours from the time of original publication on our site. You may cross post after that time.
- The post must be cross posted in its entirety.
- Any cross post includes the following statement at the top of the page, below the headline, but before the post content: “This article was originally written for TakeThis.org, a mental health nonprofit which seeks to inform our community about mental health issues, provide education about mental health challenges and prevention, and reduce the stigma of mental illness.”
Linking our articles on your site, social media, etc.
Absolutely! We love that people are excited about the work we do, and if you want to point people to our website and/or resources, feel free! Please link to our articles instead of copying and pasting them. Thank you!
That’s great! We usually have to say no to direct promotions as they violate our mission by being endorsing or promotional in nature. We will inform the community about charity streamers at our discretion via our social media outlets, but do not endorse any specific persons, games, etc. If you would like to consider a partnership with Take This, please contact us.
Company representation or promotion on TakeThis.org
We’re glad you believe in what you do! That’s awesome! Unfortunately, we usually have to say no to these requests, as they violate our mission by being endorsing or promotional in nature. Please see above for our rules on expert articles. You’re still welcome to promote our website and our mission.
Streaming, Trademark Usage, & Resources
The Ambassador Program is a grassroots collection of amazing streamers who champion Take This’ mission of accepting those with mental health challenges. All of our Ambassadors go through a rigorous application process and exemplify our five aspirational principles, in regards to others’ mental health challenges:
- Hope
- Acceptance
- Kindness
- Self-care
- Effort
It is important to note that our Take This Streaming Ambassadors do not offer direct mental health services or individualized advice to their viewership or community. They are advocates for mental health acceptance. For more on what it means to be an advocate, please see our expert content on the topic.
You can apply and read more about the Ambassador Program here.
We have an official group of streamers as part of our Ambassador Program. You can read more and apply here.
If you aren’t part of the Ambassador program, but still want to stream/fundraise for us, we have a couple requests:
- Most folks find it easiest to use Tiltify.
- Make note of our logo usage and trademark policy below.
- Feel free to direct people to resources, if needed. See below for specific sites. Our website is full of additional information.
- Please do not imply you’ve partnered with us or we’re working together (we don’t want folks to get confused).
- Remember that we’re a mental health organization and you are acting as a role model by streaming – keep it positive and supportive.
- Avoid using mental health stigma words, speaking negatively about mental health or anyone’s personal experiences.
- Have fun!
Yes, as long as you follow these guidelines for trademark usage:
We at Take This work hard to make our logos and images (our “marks”) recognizable symbols for people looking for information, education, and hope. We appreciate your desire to help us spread the word about our organization.
If you’ve formally partnered with us on an individual basis, we have or will provide terms for your use of our marks. Otherwise, we expect you to abide by the following guidelines whenever you use our marks. If we think that your use of our marks is in violation with any of our agreements with you or these guidelines, or if we feel that your use isn’t in Take This’ best interest, we can revoke your right to use our marks at any time.
Your use of our marks shouldn’t suggest any sponsorship or endorsement by us, unless we’ve explicitly agreed to such use in writing.
You shouldn’t use our marks in a way that might confuse them with other brands.
Do not combine, overlap, or otherwise mix our marks with any other marks, images, or terms (including your logo).
Do not change the color or aspect ratio of our marks.
Do not associate our marks with any vulgar, obscene, indecent or unlawful material.
Do not use our marks when making social media accounts or in any advertising or marketing campaigns.
Do not use our marks on any product or merchandise without our explicit approval.
Do not remove any trademark notice (like ® or “™”) from our marks or logos.
If you have any questions about using our marks, feel free to reach out to us.
Absolutely! Here is the link to our resources: Mental Health Resources
A few selected links from the resource page:
- One-page streaming resource we created in partnership with the AdCouncil and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
- How to Find a Therapist
- How to Know you Might Need Help
Other
Not currently, but in case we are, we often reach out to our established volunteers, as they are familiar with the culture and operations of Take This. That said, we’d love to grow to the point that we need to publicly post job openings. Until then, the best support you can give is either volunteering at a convention, donating to us, or both!
Our social media policy outlines use for our official Take This accounts as well as use for personal accounts of our board, staff, and active volunteers and ambassadors.
If you have any other questions or need additional information, please contact us. We’ll make sure it gets to the right person to be answered.
Take This, Inc seeks to educate, inform, and advocate about mental health issues in our community. We do not provide mental health services or professional consultations. For information on when to seek dedicated clinical help and how to find it, please visit our “When to Seek Help” page. If you or someone you know is in crisis, in need of immediate intervention, and based in the US, please visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call 1-800-273-8255. Information for other countries/areas can be found here.