Support Team?

[Cade]

Between The Psychiatric Ward and Help and Advice I couldn't help but notice the only Forum Leaders are the moderators and the Admins, of course.

Meaning, there is not a 'Support Team'. Virtually, I know nothing about this site, perhaps your moderators have more than one purpose, other than maintaining order of the site, are they also known for giving advice and support?

Basically, what I'm suggesting is that the site hand picks members best known for giving rational, logical and caring advice and put them together on a Support Leading team. To my understanding, situations get pretty serious and some teenagers look to reach out for help online as a last resort, some just want a respectful knowledgeable opinion. Personally, I believe that if you had a team of members other users would respect and value their theories and suggestions a little more, how could it hurt anything?

Obviously there needs to be branches within the program like who's running it and other details but, I believe it could make a positive contribution to this site. I didn't do a lot of research or digging to see if this has been suggested before or if there was a team like this, so correct me if I'm wrong.

Just a suggestion, I'm new here. I'm not really sure what's going on. Obviously it would be up to the admins seeing as how they have the most influential push on the site. I'm just wondering what the community thought, that's all. Once again please correct me if I'm wrong, sorry.

[The Batman]

We tried having Counselors but it didn't really work out to well and wasn't very popular. However, the idea of a support team does seem like a good one.

[Origami]

I think it's a good, although controversial idea. As Tom said, the counselors didn't work so well, and a support team isn't all that different when you look at it. My biggest problem is "rational, logical and caring advice." Every time I've given a member "rational" or "logical" advice, they snap at me in a mixed rage and from time-to-time PM a moderator because my "logical" of advice was alleged bashing. There are legit members who want that advice however, and I've seen a few, but it seems most members just want to have that "caring" aspect moreso than that they only want you to tell them what they want to hear, anything else they consider rude behavior. Some I've noticed could probably care less about advice so long as you'll listen to how bad they've got it in life because their boyfriend left them. Who knows. The thing with that is that this site is composed of teenagers. Teenagers who are "rational" and "logical" are few and in between, not to say there aren't some, because some are on VT. Anyway, I'm ending this post before I rant about buttercups. >.<

[Antares]

In the past, moderators have definitely been open doors for advice and stuff. That continues now. I have always helped out any people that needed advice or just someone to talk to.
Although the counselor position is gone, that doesn't mean you cant get advice.

Also, usually we don't try to localize advice to select few.
You can get advice to any person. Lots of members respond to posts with advice or have little blurbs in their sigs about help and stuff and they are certainly open to giving support.

With that, I don't think the support team thing is needed. You don't need a special name in order to give support or find people to give it.
Just talk to people, most people are very willing to help anyone and if they're not, its not the end of the world. :)

[Iron Man]

I think that all members on this site are a support team. People get advice and give it.