This is a regional discussion group and "contact point" for the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) in the Great Lakes states, including (but not limited to) Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The main purpose of the list is to explore the ins and outs of being a Highly Sensitive Person, and to support each other as HSPs. The secondary purpose is to help HSPs in the region interact, make contacts, form support groups and make friends. The list is modeled after hspbook, a large international discussion group that's also a part of YahooGroups.

Why a LOCAL group? The idea is a response to the positive feedback from HSPs who have gone to the Annual HSP Gatherings on the East and West coasts. HSPs gain much from meeting their peers. However, for every HSP who goes to a Gathering, there are another 50 who express frustration at not knowing any HSPs "in their area." In addition, many express reluctance to face the cost and potential overwhelm of travelling across the country to an HSP Gathering. The answer, thus, had to be "local" groups.

This is NOT a "personals" or "dating" list-- however, we hope you'll make new friends in your area, and if sufficient numbers of members show enough interest, it may be possible to arrange local HSP get-togethers on a regular basis. This group is inspired by the SF-Bay Area HSP group, which was the first large-scale local HSP group.

Although we highly recommended that you have some familiarity with Elaine Aron's books "The Highly Sensitive Person," "The Highly Sensitive Person in Love," or "The Highly Sensitive Child," that is by no means a requirement for membership.

The list is moderated to help maintain an "HSP-safe" environment. Flaming, trolling, proselytizing or advertising will not be tolerated and will result in the posting member being banned. However, open discussions are invited and welcomed.