How can we improve the forums? Your suggestions and comments please

[Chris_B]

Hi all, this thread is a running commentary for all members on things for improvements to the forums. This can be anything from how it looks, the categories, to moderation, community rules etc.

While we might not be able to implement everything straightaway, or keep everyone happy all of the time, we'd like to hear about what you think we can do better.

This is not a thread for discussing the moderation or editing of individual posts - if you have questions about this please contact the team offline via email modsupport@beyondblue.org.au

To avoid repeating suggestions already received, below are some results from our last user survey giving an indication of which new features people would like to see on the forums. This survey was answered by 1,597 users:

44% - Email notification when I have a reply on the forum
39% - Access to the forums via an app
27% - Ability to block seeing posts by specific users
25% - Ability to contact users privately
25% - Ability to use emoticons
25% - Ability to follow posts by specific users
24% - Ability to share links
23% - Forum posts visible only to registered users
22% - A profile, viewable by others users, where I can introduce myself
21% - Ability to quickly access all posts by a particular user
15% - Ability to tag users in a conversation
10% - Ability to share images
6% - Ability to share videos
17% - None of these

Update July 2022 - This discussion has now been closed. Please go to the updated version below to share feedback and follow our updates:

How can we improve the Forums?

[blondguy]

Hello Leith78

Lady Nova made a good point about the forums taking time to navigate....when we start posting

If you spend some time and engage with other members on the forums it does become easier after a brief period. I also found the layout a bit confusing when I joined 4 years ago

Cheers

Paul

[Lady_Nova]

Having been moderated a few times now I hope I can improve my performance, however the last moderation didnt have feedback as to why that particular post was quarantined, all I got was a lovely automated advice if I was in crisis. I appreciate the sentiment and applaud it as a safety measure, but I fear it is my language and oft awkward use of language that may be at fault and not being read as intended. Is it possible to have the content of the deliberated post included in the automated response so I can review and improve? I dont want to inflict further harm on the community herein so feedback is very important to me.

I may just be jumping the gun and and actual Mod will give me more advice, but this possible 12 hour limbo is making me anxious. I know, sometimes it's the silliest things that do that

[Sophie_M]

Hi Lady Nova,  Thank you for reaching out. If your post has been held for moderation, this does not necessarily mean that there is any issue with your post that you need to improve. When you hit the post button, your posts won’t always pop up straightaway.  Here’s what happens:

1. Your post goes through a software filter that scans what you’ve written against our community rules, particularly around things that we can’t discuss here, such as medication names, methods of suicide/self-harm, heavy swear words etc.
2. If your post clears the filter, it’ll go up almost straightaway. Just refresh the page and it should be there.
3. If it doesn’t, the post will be held back for one of our moderators to look at first and you’ll get sent an email telling you that your post is in the queue.
4. If we need to edit your post or (in rare circumstances) we can’t publish it, we’ll email you to let you know.

If you don't receive a more specific email to say that your post has required editing or wasn't able to be published, that means that a moderator has read your post and published it manually. If you have queries about indiviudal moderation decisions we would encourage you to get in touch with one of our moderators via the modsupport inbox - modsupport@beyondblue.org.au

 

[Lady_Nova]

I understand the process, I have been on many forums and even worked on them myself.

My anxiety, here now, is that I have recieved an email that a post is in moderation, I dont know which one, as I kind of answer a few and then run off to real life for a bit , and then come back. I have lost track what I have posted so dont know which post has been flagged as needing attention. So ... I worry, I rethink what I may have said or done, I become a bit frantic with concern and go back over everything I have read that day trying to work out where I could have done wrong.

It is very much my problem, but if a copy of the post in moderation could accompany the email advice, I can possibly work out what I have done wrong and avoid it in future.

I am spinning a bit off on a tangent with a kind of performance anxiety. I feel confident that the moderation will work out in the end, because so far it has been kind and appropriate, but in the meantime I am obsessing over what it is that is being held in moderation

I know I am not adequately expressing it

I should just await the judgement and stay away until it's sorted

[Sophie_M]

Thank you for clarifying your concerns further Lady Nova, we appreciate your feedback.

We recognise how receiving an email that a post is in moderation without any reference to the post in question can be unsettling.  Please note that this feedback will be addressed by our team and we will notify the community once any improvements have been made. In the meantime, please reach out to us via modsupport@beyondblue.org.au  if you continue to feel distressed and we can do our best to provide you will more clarification around the moderation of your posts. Once again, we appreciate you reaching out here.
 

[Lady_Nova]

thank you for your consideration, I really appreciate it.

Another suggestion, I think got lost up above, was to make the tabs available and navigable, from every page. Even an old forum hand such as myself found navigation non intuitive at first and considering it is just about the first thing we are told to do ... it was not totally transparent where to go

[Matchy69]

I feel like i can't say how i really feel on my forum as i feel i will be moderated and my post wont be allowed all moderated to the point it has lost the true meanining.This is good for someone like me who suffers from major depression,severe anxiety just to start with.I just want to let my ferlings out and a site like this is the easiest way for me as i dont like talking in person to people.

[Sophie_M]

Thank you for your feedback Lady Nova. To clarify, by tabs are you referring to the ‘New posts’ and ‘My threads’ tabs?
 
Hi Matchy69,

We are sorry to hear that you feel like you’re unable to convey your true thoughts and feelings on the forums without being moderated. Although the moderation team does their best to ensure that posts make it to the forums without any delays or edits to a member’s post, posts may be edited if they breach community guidelines which helps us keep the forums a positive, safe and respectful space for our community to participate in. Please feel free to reach out to the team at modsupport@beyondblue.org.au anytime to discuss your concerns further and or if you would like some clarification regarding any moderation decisions made to your posts.
 

[Lady_Nova]

yes Sophie, those tabs. It would simplify navigation if they were available on every page.

Hi Matchy69,

I have been moderated a few times now, but it's ok. The team only fix things a bit IF we inadvertently say something that may be harmful, or triggering, to others in the forum and they are very respectful about it.

Give it a go. The anonymity in here is comforting and everyone is kind and helpful.

[Desedrata]

Settings so, we can view just the posts of the day, week and all others. This way we don't have to wade through old messages but they are still be there should we wish to refer back to them.