Atlanta Vampire Alliance [AVA]

 In general, most people want someone to meet the clean, safe and sane criteria for a person they would choose as a donor/vampire.

So how can one go about making sure that someone fits these  criteria?

The clean is fairly easy to insure. You insist on frequent  testing, and require the donor/vampire to show proof of this before every donation.

Safe can take into consideration everything from the how it is done, to the personal safety issues that come around anytime you involve another in what society feels is risky behavior. I am not going to go into the “safe” in this post.

This leaves us with the “Sane” part of things. How can we know that someone is sane?

There are tests that can be done to rule out any major  mental health issues, but would you be willing to ask someone to take them? Be tested yourself? Many employers today use a very basic mental health screening to help them hire people that are not likely to become mentally imbalanced. Would requesting a potential donor/vampire take such a test be crossing the line?

What about background checks? Would you submit to a basic background check if your donor/vampire requested it? Why or why not?

My own personal feelings on these issues are mixed. I would likely allow the basic mental health screening. As for the background check.. well... I am not sure how I feel about that. In my line of work and in the youth programs I am involved with my background gets checked at least every two years. I understand why they have to do these checks for these two groups. I guess I can understand someone wanting to know I am not wanted for some crime before they get as close to me as they would in a donor/vamp situation. I just do not think I would ask for a background check on a prospective vampire without a very good reason.( as in I a previous donor or close friend gave very convincing evidence that one was needed)

So what are your thoughts on these issues?

If I was going to be a long-term sang donor to someone other than my mate (which I don't see happening), then I think I wouldn't mind seeing a background check (nor having one done on me).  None of those things seem excessive to me, given the nature of the proposed relationship.

I think that perhaps, it would depend upon the nature of the relationship. If it was a semi permanent/permanent donor vamp relationship i would submit to a background check, and psychological test, and i would expect the vampire in question to also be tested. If its a one time donation, or very short term, or like the donation situation im in now where she is in a transitory period of her life and im filling her need of a donor untill she gets where shes going, i dont think background checks and the like are necessary. Blood tests of course are something i strongly believe needs to happen on a regular basis.

What is a "basic mental health screening"?
No, really... are we talking about psych testing, seeing a therapist?

I'm just not sure how you're recommending going to a mental health professional and saying "hi, I'm pondering giving / taking blood from someone, can you test me to see how normal I am?"

---Mal

The basic mental health screen that I have seen used by employers is a simple test that gives a very basic idea if there are any glaring mental issues. It is written and the results are checked against a standard. As far as I know only someone with very serious issues would likely fail such a test.

As far as going to a mental health professional, no you would not say such a thing and no I am not recommending it, I was asking what others opinions were about just how far you would go or ask another to go to prove the "sane" part of being a donor.

So you're recommending a standardized test, effectively...
Interesting.

Personally, I'm never comfortable trying to prove sanity, but I have a slightly skewed perspective on the word these days.

---Mal

Honestly I was not recommending  any tests only asking what everyone was thinking in terms of how do you prove you are sane enough to be a donor. I personally think each vampire and donor should do what works best for their individual situation. I personally require clean blood work from myself and any vampire I feed. I have never asked for mental tests but have also never donated to someone I have not taken the time to get to know well enough that I should have noticed any glaring mental issues that would effect feeding.

Well, like WWP says, if I was to enter into such a relationship on a more than temporary basis, a background check might be wise. Any further psych eval would be kinda pointless, because technically being a vampire at all is considered an extremely severe mental illness. However, even a stable person risks obsession/stalker type issues when entering into this kind of arrangement, so it is a big concern.

Then again, background checks aren't fool proof either. If anything hinky shows on your background check, you did it wrong. I don't have a spotless history, but I have a spotless record. Same is true for psych evalutions. The craziest people don't tell the shrink the truth, and are great liars.

May you find what you seek,
Alice

 >:(  JESUS H. CHRIST!!!!!

If Vampires didn't have other alternatives ways of  Feeding, I think you all would starve!!!

Not only do you have to "Meet" but you have to "Check each other out".  Figure out each other schedules. Then you have to "Drug Test" each other.  Get a "Physical"! And NOW you're saying a "MENTAL EVALUATION" may or may not be considered?  Or a "CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK" may or may not be required?

It's like your one "CREDIT CHECK" away from having a job......................THAT DOESN'T PAY!

When did things get so complicated?  Hey, I'm not complaining.  It's for the Donor's Safety.  And I am appreciative. But this process takes away the allure. The want. The need. The openness.  The closeness. The exchange. The mystery. The Darkness. The exchange from weakness to strength. From strength to weakness. Being drawn in like a blackcat to a redstring.

But hey, if these are the steps that one must take within Donorship,  then I am all for it 100%!

As a long term donor, I have never found these situations to be so mysterious,dark or anything like that.
Yes it is something I am drawn to do, but not in some mysterious fantasy way. I have never found my needing such tests to take anything away from the experience of donating, if anything  they allow me to relax fully and not have those worries in the back of my head during a donation.

Without blood tests, you risk death. without getting to know each other  well before donations, you risk mental issues, hurt feelings, or even physical injury.  In today's society I would not have sexual relations with anyone I had not checked out at least this well, why would I risk sharing body fluids with a vampire without the same tests and such?

While it is a personal choice, I see it as foolish to not get blood tests and to get to know someone well enough that any big mental issues would show up. That would be taking unnecessary risks with both your and the vampires health. 

Good Evening and Greetings unto you Cheri,
O.K. I get it. I understand. These guidelines or rules are set up for your own protection. I appreciate that fact and I am willing to comply. I take these matters seriously. I re-read my post. I came across as a Donor with no practical experience with misconceptions in my head. I am currently informing, reading and preparing myself for Donorship. I want to convince Sanguines, Genetics, Elementals(who I feel I can relate to), Nighttimers(who I can also relate), Inheritors, Hybrids, Classicals and Tantrics that I am reliable and trustworthy.

Psychics Vampires, I am reading about in "Vampires of Today". So I can't talk or post my opinions as of yet.

But hey, Vampires lead normal everyday lives. They are your everyday kinda individuals.  And they have your everyday ups & downs. And they just simply want to feed.

"OY VAY" :-\

I think something more akin to a personal reference would be more helpful than a generic psych eval used by employers.

To whomever said that vampirism is an extremely severe mental illness, I would have to contest that - there is no DSM IV or ICD IX code for vampirism, nor would I anticipate it ever being added. Vampires can't agree what "I think I'm a vampire" means - don't expect psych specialists to do any better of a job. About the closest diagnosis I can think of off of the top of my head would be pica (at least for sanguinary vampirism).

Blood tests are generally a good plan when you plan on swapping fluids with someone :)

---Mal

P.S. and yes, many of us often starve at some point or another

GAWD! I am so behind!
 I'm still stuck on the Donor Diet and the Vampire Today Book and freaking SwanByte facebook and EasterPassoverJESUSFamilyBlowout!!!!  >:(

Huh? What is this DSM IV ICD IX code for Vampirism? I never heard of that?

Very belated response, but DSM (Diagnostic & Statistical Manuel) & ICD (International Classification of Diseases) are the diagnosis codes used by medical professionals - in this case in mental health.
My point was that you aren't going to see "vampire" listed like you would say "313.81- oppositional defiance disorder".

---Mal