Ask an ADHD Coach

Group rules of engagement

In our Ask an ADHD Coach sessions, we aim to be kind, inclusive, informative and responsible. We have rules outlined below to help us achieve this. In attending any of our Ask an ADHD Coach sessions, you automatically agree to abide by these rules. If you have any questions, you can contact us.

Who will be there?

In addition to you and other attendees, there are likely to be two people representing ADHD NZ.

The ADHD coach: will be there to answer any questions you might have.
The host: they will be there to let you into the online room, manage the Q&A and chat and ask questions on your behalf if required.

General Rules

1. Our groups are open to everyone, and we aim to offer a safe space for you to share your experiences.

To ensure our sessions are inclusive, please be kind to everyone that attends.
That means you need to be welcoming and considerate of others, especially if they lose focus, forget their questions or get caught up in their emotions.
To make the most of these sessions, we encourage you to share your experiences, including what has or has not worked for you. Because these are specific to your situation we ask all participants to respect this.
Some sessions may have a focal theme. Since we have limited time, in these instances, we ask that any questions or comments made are related to the theme.

2. Treat this like an in-person meeting.

To make the most of these sessions, we recommend you turn your camera to build trust and encourage engagement with others.
But if you prefer not to, we are also OK with that.

3. Come prepared with your questions.

Asking a question: please raise your virtual hand and wait for the Expert or Host to call your name before speaking.
Alternatively, you can enter your questions into the Q&A. We also encourage you to vote on questions to prioritise them for a response and discussion.
If you cannot speak, you can put your question into the Q&A, and the host can ask the question on your behalf.
If you want to ask a question anonymously, send a direct message to the host via chat. Let them know your question, and not mention your name. The host can then ask your question for you.

4. Please be considerate when others are speaking or waiting to speak.

Making a verbal comment: please raise your virtual hand and wait for the Expert or Host to call your name before speaking.
Making a written comment: feel free to share your point of view or helpful links in the chat.
Emoticons: feel free to use the emotion icons to show your reactions as appropriate.

5. Private messaging.

Feel free to reach out and engage with others directly via the chat. However, if they do not respond, please refrain from further engagement.

Privacy

6. Respect the privacy of others.

We will not record these sessions and ask that you do the same.

7. Chatham House Rules apply.

That means you can share what you and others discussed during the session, but not who said what.
The expert, the host and any staff of ADHD NZ are exceptions to this in cases where we seek to mitigate any threat, harm or damage to anyone or anything or would be legally obliged to share this information.

Safety

8. Suicide and self-harm.

If you are thinking about suicide or self-harm, please seek help by contacting one of the specialist organisations listed below.
We ask that you not talk about suicide or self-harm, as we are not qualified to provide you with the proper support.
We are also mindful of how these discussions might impact others participating in these sessions.
If you share thoughts of self-harm or suicide during the session, we will pause the session, and all other participants will be moved to the waiting room to allow the expert/host to get support to you urgently.

If you, or someone you know, is in danger please call emergency services on 111 immediately.

If you think you, or someone you know, may be thinking about suicide, call the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) immediately.

These services are available nationwide, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202 to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions.
Lifeline – 0800 LIFELINE (0800 543 354) or free text HELP (4357).
Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
OUTLine NZ – 0800 OUTLINE (0800 688 5463) provides confidential sexuality or gender identity support via telephone.
Youthline – chat online or email talk@youthline.co.nz or free text 234 or free call 0800 376 633.

Disclaimers

9. These sessions provide informal advice only and do not replace consultation with a qualified professional.

The only action you should take on advice provided in these sessions is to have a formal consultation with a qualified professional who can access your history and clinical record to assess, examine and provide the appropriate recommendations.
Nothing in these sessions should be construed as medical advice and should not be actioned without first referring to a qualified medical professional.