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?

[Not_Batman]

Possibly add a tab to separate the ‘my threads’ into ‘threads created by me’ and ‘threads posted on’.

Not_Batman

[Guest_1643]

hi not_batman - good idea 🙂
like it!

I was wandering - it's a bad hard to find the rules/guidelines for the threads - seems a bit complicated, they are spread about in random places?
Could there be one very very basic and very very clear space with thread rules/guidelines where newcomers could be directed? it's hard people come and they inadvertedly may break the rules but it is not so easy to not what they are.
For example I read somewhere that we are not allowed to discuss specfic medications here - but i can't remember where i read it - where is all this information stored?

[Sophie_M]

Hey Sleep21,

We agree this is a great idea! There isn't currently a central location to access a detailed explanation of the guidelines. However, we do have our "community rules" page which has a short description of the guidelines/rules: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/community-rules.

The other important threads are the FAQ thread, Forums etiquette: give support to receive support, What do all the badges mean?, and Why we don't allow discussion of specific medications on the forums which are a bit all over the place!

[Chumptastic]

Why have you gotten rid of the work forum????

[Sophie_M]

Hi Chumptastic,

Every now and then we give our forums a spring clean. Any threads or boards that have been long dormant could be removed. It is possible this is what has happened to the thread you refer to. We suggest if you would like to post to a thread about work and mental health conditions that you start your own thread on the subject.

[Guest_4643]

Hi, my suggestion is can the mods please make a thread for insomnia/sleep issues? So what it is, how to deal with it such as treatment, if any, and for those who are awake late at night to chat to others?

also, does BB have an app, so you can use the webchat, forums, etc?

- Tayla

[blondguy]

Hi Tayla

Good question! There is a huge thread topic called 'Sleep' Dools wrote it ages ago and its full of super helpful tips about sleep. Just enter 'Sleep' in the search bar above

Re the app.. Unfortunately there isnt an app available or plans for one...yet

Online forum management were working very hard to update the forum platform in 2018 -2019

Thankyou Tayla for the proactive suggestions

Paul

[Guest_4643]

Hey Paul, thanks. I didn't know about that.

- Tayla

[Guest_4643]

Hi all.

Is there a music thread, to talk about music anywhere?

- Tayla

[Guest_4643]

Hi mods.

I just wanted to ask, can we please put something up somewhere on the forums that people aren't allowed to talk about medication here? I saw a post that I was going to comment on (politely of course) mentioning a certain medication in the title, but it has since been removed. I know that person was new and just looking for advice but I think people forget we aren't Medical Professionals here (well apart from Nurse Jenn I would assume). It can be triggering to some people, and it did upset me a little. I was a bit triggered but not overly upset. Can this please be bought to our attention more? Thank you. Just want to make sure everyone feels safe and welcome here. Not being judgemental, just looking out for people. I was going to politely tell them they're not allowed to mention medications let alone the names of it but the thread has been deleted.

PS - is there a thread to talk about music anywhere on the forums please?

- Tayla