Need advice please

[opacity]

I am not sure if this belongs in this section of the forum but i need some advice. Basically i suffer from anxiety and depression. Have done from any early age. A few years ago i had the initiative to start up my own website and forum to help other people suffering the same problems. Last year due to my own stress, issues and negative comments from a few members I closed the forum/site down, even though I never intentionally shut up shop. I just needed a break as i was juggling my uni work and was stressed out. I had recieved a couple of emails from people critising my decision but none of them offered to help out. It made me feel depressed as a few of them also deleted me off their facebook and msn list. Even though I devoted all my time in trying to help other people, I felt people viewed me negatively since the website's closure. I also found out a member from my site started up their own forum but had not even invited me to join , even though there were other members of my website on there. I am thinking about starting my website up again in the view to be 100% commited. But my worry is that the damage has been done and the old members won't be back as they essentially feel I have let them down in some way. I am 18 years old and studying counselling. All I want to do is try and help other people in the same boat as myself. Do you think I should re-open my website regardless of the lost members and start again? Or just forget it. It makes me feel depressed that I let everyone down but I really loved being part of a community and helping others at the same time.

[I-Love-him]

Hi. first of all, i suffer with depression and anxiety so i know how you feel.

secondly, i think it's obvious your old members of the group will feel let down. i know i would. if you open up your forum again then i doubt the old members will return. Just be more commited this time. i mean imagine if teenhelp closed down.i think a lot of us would feel angry and upset because we rely on this for help and support. and if it's going to upset you more than i'd advise you not to open the forum again.

[miika]

hey opacity
i know that shutting down your site did let alot of people down but you have the right to take a break aswell so it wasent your fault you wont alsways be able to please everyone. but if you think that setting up the site again is the right thing for you then go ahead but dont feel pressured into setting it up again. I think you need to find a good balance between your college work and the site if you set it up again.
hope this helps xx