Our belief at Face It is simple, men who have experienced depression (and a host of other mental health and life challenges) are uniquely qualified to support and help other men to promote wellness and growth, aka “recovery.” Face It is not a counseling or therapy program, it is not a 12-step group, it is not a crisis center, but it is a community of support built on mutual understanding, trust, respect participation, and accountability to oneself and the group. Our Mission reads:
“Leveraging the power of peer support, Face It works with men to recover from depression and prevent suicide.”
Face It Northwoods is an extension of Face It and the purpose of this Community Code of Conduct is to ensure all participants in the Face It community and those engaged in the support of Face It Northwoods have the best possible experience while at Northwoods. Remember, we are all here to help each other learn, heal, and to live in new and meaningful ways and to have an enjoyable time!
Participation Guidelines:
- There is a no recreational drug use and a no alcohol consumption policy during your scheduled time at Northwoods. This includes using recreational drugs or alcohol on the Northwoods property or when out in the surrounding community during your scheduled event or 24 hours in advance of your arrival at Northwoods. Anyone engaging in or permitting illegal drug use, sale or distribution at any time or alcohol consumption during gatherings will lose the privilege of being a guest at Northwoods. Face It Northwoods representatives may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event and property.
- To ensure a safe environment, Face It and Face It Northwoods prohibits the wearing, transporting, storage, or presence of firearms or other dangerous weapons in our facilities or on our property.
- Confidentiality is of the utmost importance. The information that is shared during your time at Northwoods stays within the group. This cannot be stressed enough, so please honor this.
- Come prepared to participate fully in the Northwoods event. This is a place and time to talk about the things that you are dealing with that are impacting your day-to-day mental health needs.
- Be honest about your feelings and thoughts. To quote someone famous…” the truth will set you free.”
- Use “I” statements to express your feelings and experiences. Direct advice giving, as in statements such as “Here is what you need to do…” is not helpful. Rather, use your own experiences and own them with statements such as “What I did,” “What I found helpful”, “What I experienced” etc. It is not our goal to “fix” anyone.
- Share the air, as in keep your comments relevant and related to what an individual is discussing. Do not “hijack” another person’s thoughts to segue into your own story.
- Communicate clearly with the individual(s) leading the Northwoods retreat about your attendance. Northwoods has limited capacity and unless you encounter an emergency prior to the event, please respect and understand that others may have been turned away and you should honor your commitment to attend and participate. If you find that you have committed to attend and your plans have changed, please give as much advanced notice as possible.
- Leave your judgments at the door. We all come with challenges, beliefs, and ideas about recovery. Your opinions and values are yours, not necessarily those of others in the group. Please keep your personal political opinions and religious opinions out of the conversation.
- Be nice. This is not a complicated one. Depression, anxiety, life, etc. is hard. Make Face It Northwoods a place where all feel welcomed and respected.
- Experience compassion for yourself and for others in the group. Depression, anxiety, and the trials of life are hard stuff. Treat yourself and others with gentleness and kindness.