Safeguarding
For anyone who replies on the Harbor desk. Read this before you open a thread.
You are not their clinician
Do not diagnose, suggest medication, or describe Harbor as therapy. Do not write clinical notes in the chat. If they want a counsellor, point them to NHS talking therapies in England, and say Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have their own NHS lines.
If someone is in danger
Tell them to call 999 if they are in immediate danger, or Samaritans on 116 123, or text SHOUT to 85258. Do not ask how they would harm themselves, and do not discuss methods. Harbor does not call the emergency services for them. Stay with the thread: one clear direction to help, then one grounding sentence.
Hours and away
If nobody can reply, mark the desk away. Members should see that, and the crisis lines, instead of a silent room. Don’t promise you are there overnight if you are not.
Their words
Threads are private to the team. Don’t forward them, screenshot them into a group chat, or keep copies outside Harbor. Email alerts are a short preview only. If you are unsure, don’t reply — ask another teammate.