#voda mental health

[delgado-master]

Yeah, after kokobot (which put pedophiles in contact with someone claiming to be a high school student to test it out, and that also used mentally ill teens as test subjects) I’m not trusting an app with “AI advice” not to tell a bunch of queer people to kill themselves

Update: when you look up Voda, you get, in order

Notice that none of these options are about this mental health service.

So, yeah, this is very sketchy. I may end up downloading it myself so you don’t have to, but I will end this post by looking at the Google play store

First off, it’s rated everyone on Google play but 17+ on Apple Store (or 12+ in certain countries). I think this warrants future investigation on queerphobic App Store policies. I’ll look at why it’s rated 17+ later.

Additional features it advertises: Cognitive Journaling Exercises, so Journal Prompts? And “Support for Trans and LGBTQ+ Individuals” which is really weird to put at the end of the features for a queer mental health app

Also “Developed by Leading LGBTQIA+ Psychotherapists” is listed as “something you have access to?

Also enjoy this:

WHAT CAN I LEARN?

Unlock the power of self-guided therapy with evidence-backed therapy approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness.

If you really had lgbtq+ people working on the app you think one of them would know of the other meaning of “CBT”.

At least they supposedly don’t collect data, and the permissions look normal.

it does disclose it collects more data on iPhone, but the data is entirely related to the app’s functions, and I think it’s 17+ I think because it’s a medical app.

[shrike-dyke]

tbh i am infinitely less likely to use a Mental Health App if it's advertising on a platform that experiments on mentally ill teenagers

[respectissexy]

Tumblr is currently serving me an ad for "Voda, the LGBTQ mental health app" offering "daily meditations, self-care and AI advice" and as a therapist I am begging you not to download an app where an AI tries to help you with your mental health. Please do not. They tried to have an AI chatbot counsel eating disorder patients and it told them to diet. That shit is not safe. Do not talk to an AI about your mental health please. You don't need to talk to a professional but talk to a PERSON. Edited to add: OK, it's been a long day and I wrote this when I only had the information that was in the ad. It looks like they may not actually have a chatbot, but something that just... churns out pre-programmed advice? That's genuinely a lot safer! But calling it "AI advice" feels a little misleading. This app may be perfectly fine and safe to use, but should probably stick to the fundamentals that people want from a mental health app and not try to use AI hype to market, since the intersection of AI and mental health support is VERY DICEY and bad shit has happened there before. And you should probably do further research on how they are using your data, since that is also an area where mental health support apps have gone bad before.

[joinvoda]

Free mental health support available for our trans and non-binary community on the app. x

Try it on the Voda app 🏳️‍⚧️❤️ 

About the programmes:

Our “Coping with Gender Dysphoria” programmes have been designed by a panel of queer, trans and non-binary psychotherapists who identify across the spectrum of gender, sexuality and ethnicity, bringing together an intersectional lens. 

The programmes are led by our Lead Psychotherapist, Chris Sheridan (they/them), a renowned trans non-binary psychotherapy who specialise in Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity.

We know that our offering will not solve the trans mental health crisis, but hope to offer a small element of support to all trans and non-binary people who are struggling with gender dysphoria in the current system.

#queertiktok #nonbinary #transrightsarehumanrights #trans #transmentalhealth #lgbwiththet

[jolikmc-thoughts]

You can be whatcha wanna, no one should care. But, if you need external help to "cope" with "what" you are or the choices you've made, then maybe you should, instead, take a step back and re-evaluate what's going on in your life instead of relying on a flimsy, pay-to-play app by people preying on your insecurities.

I doubt what you're going through can be fixed for £7.99 a month.

Just sayin'.

[queertranshappiness]

Some poetry we wrote today, after not feeling great. There's an exercise about understanding rage in Voda, which is a queer mental health app. This... we wrote during that exercise in one of the response boxes.

Despite It All

My heart has been ripped out of its chest,

But it still beats on.

We will never die, no matter what vessel it is.

We deserve our rights and our lives,

And we will win…

Because we are fighting for them,

And you are fighting for nothing.

We show up for each other, and keep ourselves safe.

Our allies amplify our voices, and elders show us all we can be loved.

We reach out our hands for each other,

Write letters, hold signs, chant through the storm.

We have been here since the dawn of time.

We have weathered many storms.

This is a fleeting moment…

In the ocean known as history.

For we have always been here, we will always fight…

And the sun will always shine,

On the trans people.

[therearevampiresinmywardrobe]

new ad

“voda, the lgbtq mental health app”

oh?

“offers meditation, self-care”

sounds kind of nice

“and ai advice”

what a horrible fucking invention

[vitrified-vitriol]

Voda mental health, maybe hire more than 2 women?

Then again I don't trust mental health apps, especially after I was proven right about better help.

OH GOOD IT OFFERS DAILY AI ADVICE

[amit0707]

The Power of water: Examining the Health Benefits of Drinking Water

Water, essential in living, is crucial for us to perform at our best. As we learn about the many benefits of drinking, we discover the importance of hydration to maintain our overall health. Hydration and overall health: Hydration is the foundation of healthy living. Water plays a crucial part in keeping body temperature at a constant level by lubricating joints and transporting oxygen and nutrients to cells. Furthermore, staying hydrated helps mental clarity, cognitive function and focus. Diet and Weight Management: Water is a practical all-rounder for those who want to maintain or attain the ideal weight. Drinking water before meals may create a sense of fullness, which can reduce calorie consumption. Additionally, hydrated food helps to maintain a healthy digestive system and helps prevent constipation. Inspiring Energy and Fighting Fatigue: Are you feeling tired and depleted? Drinking a glass of water could be just what you need to eliminate the problem. Insufficient hydration can result in tiredness and a decrease in energy levels. If you drink sufficient water, you will keep your energy levels high and fight fatigue. The Skin Health and Beauty Benefits: Water is the best beauty tip if you are looking for a radiant complexion. A proper hydration regimen keeps your skin hydrated, which prevents dryness and gives you an overall luminous, healthy appearance. Water also functions as an effective anti-ageing ingredient that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Wrinkles. Detoxification and Elimination It is also a great natural cleanser that flushes toxins out of our bodies and aids kidney function. Hydration can increase digestion, improve regularity, and promote a healthy digestive system. Hydration and Performance in Athletics: For athletes, it is vital to drink enough water to ensure optimal performance. Insufficient hydration can result in decreased endurance and an increased chance of injuries. By hydrating themselves, athletes can improve their fitness performance and recovery. Maintaining a Healthy Heart Drinking plenty of water has beneficial effects on the health of your heart. A healthy diet and regular hydration help control blood pressure and lower the risk of heart-related issues. Tips to Stay Hydrated: Knowing your hydration requirements, establishing water consumption habits, and overcoming common hydration issues, is essential to staying hydrated. In the final moments of exploring the advantages of drinking water, Let’s be thankful for hydration’s simple yet powerful power. Make it a habit to stay well-hydrated, and you can open the doors to a healthier and happier life! Remember that having a glass of water at hand will make a big difference to your overall health. We salute the power of water. Buy https://azoicwater.com/product/voda-natural-mineral-water/ and enjoy the true refreshing alkaline water that quenches your thirst.

[paulc1st]

My 2019

Well, 2019 is nearly over with so what has happened over the last year for me ?

Well, at the beginning of the year my support worker that had worked with me since 2017 quit on me because I called her bluff on something as I don’t like being lied to and she didn’t like being found out.

I got another support worker from the same company but that didn’t work out either as she didn’t meet my needs.

In June I got another support worker placed from a different company which didn’t work out as she left after less than a month as she felt she wasn’t progressing as well as she hoped.

As I write this blog on New Years Eve, there is good news - I have two more support workers from a different company starting in the new year and I feel positive about this. 😊

In May I was totally shit on by a charity that I thought was excellent.

I have even mentioned them in previous blogs of mine:

Volunteering - http://itspaulc1stvolunteering.blogspot.com

VODA and SAINT - https://itspaulc1stvosa.blogspot.com

What happened is summed up in this blog:

Being Treat Differently Because Of A Disability -

https://itspaulc1stbtdboad.blogspot.com

I was told at the beginning of May that my time with VODA was coming to an end and they finished me by coming up with a pathetic excuse that once a volunteer had volunteered on six projects on their S.A.I.N.T project they were capped and couldn’t volunteer on any more projects.

This was never explained to me when I started volunteering for VODA.

They told me I had to wrap up my filming project I was doing with them by the end of May which was going to prove impossible as I at least another three people to interview and edit.

To cap it all, after having a discussion with the lass who I was volunteering on the project with, and who I thought was a friend, on how we were going to edit the second film, I came out of my one to one to discover her doing the exact opposite so I just walked out of the place.

The charity also said they couldn’t manage my condition - my anxiety - so they got rid of me.

Absolutely disgusting for a charity that supposedly helps people with mental health.

After finishing volunteering with VODA I enjoyed my dolphin trips with both Northern Experience Wildlife Tours and on board the Ocean Explorer with Billy Shiels boat trips.

Unfortunately, this year, towards the end, a lot of the pelagic trips on board the Ocean Explorer were cancelled because of bad weather offshore.

I also enjoyed the Farne Island trips and some of the evening dive trips just sitting on board whilst the divers were in the water with Billy Shiels boat trips.

I continued taking photos throughout the year for the Springfield Centre in Forest Hall at three events - their summer event and recently an event with a singer who sang war songs called Wor Vera - highly recommend singer and a Christmas event with a singer called Jason Isaacs, again very good.

I also took on another couple of volunteering roles.

One was as a photographer for the Shiremoor Treat in July and the second one was as a photographer for Friends Action North East, a charity who help enable disabled people do activities in the community where I took photographs for them at a day in Whitley Bay and a day at the Baltic in Gateshead.

Towards the back end of the year I gave up my volunteering role with CLICSargent as a Tin Manager for reasons I don’t want to discuss but it was a decision I made for the better and I was glad I did.

In May I went down to Leeds to see Emily Atack do her stand up show called “Talk Thirty To Me” which was her own touring show talking about her life leading up to her becoming 30.

The reason I went to see her was in 2012 I was an Extra in a film she starred in called ALMOST MARRIED and as she came out of the toilet after getting her make-up done on set I said she was like a kebab in my microwave - hot and tasty ! 😂😂

She ended the show with a lovely message by saying that in a world of Instagram and Snapchat where you can hide behind filters you should be proud to show off who you are which I thought was very true.

I, for one, never hide behind a filter.

In July Emily then added extra dates for her show and one of them was the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle in November where you got a free copy of her book and I quickly booked up a ticket as I couldn’t not see her in my home town.

Towards the back end of the year, in December, a week before Christmas, my Dad came with me for something I was dreading - my Employment and Support Allowance review.

After sending in two eyewitness statements and a letter from my GP about my hoarding I thought they may have used the evidence alone but they called me in for a face to face assessment.

As I write this blog on New Years Eve I am still to hear what the outcome of the assessment will be - whether they keep me on it or take me off and put me back onto Jobseekers Allowance.

So that was my 2019 in a nutshell.

Before I sign off I would just like to thank some people who have supported me in 2019:

1.) My family - my Mam and Dad, three brothers, two sister-in-laws and nephew and niece. I know I sometimes argue with my brothers and my Mam and Dad but they are there for me. As for my two sister-in-laws. Cheers for putting up with me. For my nephew and niece. You are always lovely to be around even if I sometimes find it too hard to cope with.

2.) My friends. Special thanks has to go to three of them especially:

i.) Ellie - You are there if I need to moan to about my autism especially after you helped me last year with the designs for my new YouTube channel. You are my zebra. 😉

ii.) Julia - Although I don’t see you often I know you are always at the end of a text if I need help.

iii.) Liz - I first became friends with you on the Ocean Explorer three years ago and it’s always nice to catch up when you are up here camping to go on boat trips with.

3.) For my mental health:

i.) Ben Burville and Alan Leatham on Ocean Explorer for the pelagic trips.

I may have my favourite seat at the back but that’s my comfort zone and I love going out trying to spot the cetaceans in the Farne Deeps.

ii.) Martin Kitching for the pelagic trips ran from the Tyne on board the JFK Two through Northern Experience Wildlife Tours. Even if we don’t see anything it’s escapism on the boat and nice to see the coast from a different point of view.

iii.) Everyone at Billy Shiels boat trips. I love the trips to the Farne Islands. It’s escapism for my mental health.

4.) All the staff at Paperchase in Newcastle. It’s nice that I can pop in and have a chat when I am in town even if I am not buying anything. It means a lot.

5.) The staff at M and M news in Newcastle. Again, like Paperchase, it’s nice on an evening to pop in and have a chat on my way home.

6.) Rob and Lorraine from Safe and Healthy Homes at the council.

Lorraine - You first dealt with me in 2016 when I first got help from your department after my autism diagnosis when I said I needed help with my flat for my hoarding.

Rob - I first came across you as my advisor on Wise Steps when you referred me to VODA.

You are both there if I ever need help. Cheers.

All I have to say is see what 2020 and the start of a new decade brings......

[respectissexy]

I really am not trying to bully Voda out of spite or whatever but it is my opinion that mental health and crisis support professionals need to be like. 1000% more aggressive about defending our work from AI encroachment. Like we need to be at least as aggressive as people in the arts have been. The stakes are pretty fucking high over here!

[joinvoda]

Polyamorous relationships can have different challenges to navigate.

Voda’s Lead Psychotherapist Chris (they/them) shares tips on questions to check in with your partner(s) to navigate communicational challenges. x

[delgado-master]

TUMBLR ADVERTISED IT FOR FREE

Image Description: a comment on another post by joinvoda. Comment text: We're a queer-led team building for our community because we didn't see any mental health apps that address issues like gender dysphoria or coming out. Only 1 feature of our app is AI-based, "Daily Voda". This was released last month as a new feature. Everything else such as the guided programmes and meditations are created by the therapist panel and not AI. We also did not pay for an ad, instead, we're very grateful for Tumblr for offering us a placement for a day.

Yeah, after kokobot (which put pedophiles in contact with someone claiming to be a high school student to test it out, and that also used mentally ill teens as test subjects) I’m not trusting an app with “AI advice” not to tell a bunch of queer people to kill themselves

Update: when you look up Voda, you get, in order

Notice that none of these options are about this mental health service.

So, yeah, this is very sketchy. I may end up downloading it myself so you don’t have to, but I will end this post by looking at the Google play store

First off, it’s rated everyone on Google play but 17+ on Apple Store (or 12+ in certain countries). I think this warrants future investigation on queerphobic App Store policies. I’ll look at why it’s rated 17+ later.

Additional features it advertises: Cognitive Journaling Exercises, so Journal Prompts? And “Support for Trans and LGBTQ+ Individuals” which is really weird to put at the end of the features for a queer mental health app

Also “Developed by Leading LGBTQIA+ Psychotherapists” is listed as “something you have access to?

Also enjoy this:

WHAT CAN I LEARN?

Unlock the power of self-guided therapy with evidence-backed therapy approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and mindfulness.

If you really had lgbtq+ people working on the app you think one of them would know of the other meaning of “CBT”.

At least they supposedly don’t collect data, and the permissions look normal.

it does disclose it collects more data on iPhone, but the data is entirely related to the app’s functions, and I think it’s 17+ I think because it’s a medical app.

[mars-da-volcanic-elemental]

I’m curious about this (At time of queueing- October 15, 2023), so…I’ll download it and try it—let ya know what’s up.

Viewing these….i’m hesitant with the AI-advice…like the AI had to get the advice somewhere so what’s being fed to the AI for training to get advice tailored to the user?

I’m also concerned whether I’ll be talking to actual human beings or—AI. I don’t feel if it’s safe at all.

“Don’t knock it until you try it!” - someone out there

Well you’d be right, but I’m cautious nonetheless.

The different varieties other than CBT is good, I have no experience with the other 2 offered. The promises of safety and privacy are just…not winning me over. It’s 17+ years old but…I’m not going to download it for now. It’s…not passing the vibe check.

@a-captions-blog if you are able to add alt text for OP’s images on their post and my screenshots, would mean a lot. 🙏🏽 ❤️

Moving Past Queer Shame

Reducing Queer Shame: A Guide to Embracing Your Authentic Self 💖🌈

Hey there lovely souls! 🌟

We all have stories and sometimes, they’re marred with shadows of shame.

Here’s a little guide on how we can embrace our queer identities with love and authenticity...

🌷 Understanding Our Childhood Shadows: A lot of us queer folks have these childhood memories where we were told to be more 'this' or less 'that'. Maybe some said we should "man up" or that our fashion choices were “too much”. Sound familiar?

🍀 The Manifestation of Shame: It's heartbreaking when these shadows then slowly turn into self-stigma. The quiet voice that tells us to hide, to conform, or that we’re somehow wrong. This voice can remain with us for many years to come.

🔍 Recognising the Inner Critic: But over time, we can learn to build self-awareness. Next time you find yourself being judgmental to yourself, stop and reflect. Ask why that is. What’s that voice really saying? Whose voice is this really? Is it mine, or the internalised voice of someone else?

🌈 Choosing Love and Acceptance: Remember, there's nothing wrong with being your authentic self. Often, we forget the true nature of who we are, thinking we're somehow less than or not enough.

Emotionally accepting that might take a slow... therapy can be a good friend in this journey.

If you have queer shame and want to do something about it... We at Voda are on this journey with you. Check out the Voda app to try out programmes specifically designed to help reduce queer shame and be your authentic self, our app is designed with LGBTQIA+ therapists.

You can download Voda here.

Love and Light, Voda 💜🌈