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?

[Hanna3]

Hi,

It would be great if when you hit reply to a post, instead of having to type the reply at the bottom of the page - so if I want to remember what the person said/asked that I'm replying to, I have to scroll back up to the post all the time - if the reply box could be directly under the post being replied to, so you can easily read what you're replying to.

[Matchy69]

That is such a great idea Hanna i was thinking the same thing.

[quirkywords]

Hanna, That is a great idea and I have often thought that. I think it may have been mentioned somewhere before and am not sure it is possible to change.

It is a good idea and thanks for mentioning it.

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone

Hey Desedrata...you (and Hanna3) have provided helpful input on how to make the forums more user friendly and thankyou! Just from my own experience it comes down to budgetary issues

Paul

[Guest_4643]

Hi all. I agree with Hanna's suggestion, that would be helpful.

I also think that it would be great to have notifications (such as "someone replied to your post/someone tagged you"), but I understand that it would be a bit of effort to do that.

A private messaging thing could also be good, but that's no big deal. Kind of like one where you can get messages but you don't have to accept and answer them, like Facebook?

And lastly which I'd love the most out of all of them, is an option to put pictures and GIFs? I don't mean pictures of ourselves (would be nice though but I respect that), I mean just nice pictures and GIFs, whatever people want to post, as long as it's approved by admins. So pictures of inspiring quotes on Google perhaps and funny GIFs like Cats or something? Since I've seen some of that from some of the mods in some posts.

That's all the suggestions I have for now, the forums are great either way though, thanks.

Tayla

[Matchy69]

I was thinking you could do something on the Coronavirus.It might help people worried about it.

[blondguy]

Hey Mark!

you have mentioned a good point as I have thought the same...yet there may be some people with a fragile mindset that may find the virus upsetting to read about especially considering the media coverage it has

The moderators have placed an active link re the Corona Virus on the copy & paste thread below...

www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/hi-there-i-only-just-joined-and-i'm-worried-about-the-coronavirus

do you think this enough....at this time?

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Matchy69]

Hi Paul thanks for that reply.I know their is a topic on bushfires i thought it would be just as upsetting for people who have been through the fires.I just as you have noticed their are people talking about it and worried and maby some facts would be good rather then all the hysteria that seems to be going on.The link is a start thanks Paul.

Take care,

Mark.

[blondguy]

Excuse my double post Mark...here is the copy and paste link from the online community moderator

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outb...

Paul

[blondguy]

Hey Mark

This thread is about how we can improve the forums...I understand where you are coming from yet we have many people that are very sensitive/ fragile where this virus is concerned..By all means send Beyond Blue a direct message for sure about the politics involved...I have the copy & paste link below for you Mark

modsupport@beyondblue.org.au

my kindest always...Paul