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?

[Sophie_M]

Hi Tayla,

Our community guidelines page outlines these rules - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/community-rules

New members in particular may not have yet read the community guidelines. However, our forums are moderated, and this content will be removed. The user will then be privately reminded about the guidelines. If you see something that you believe is in violation of the rules, you can feel free to report this to us via the 'report' button on posts.

Additionally, you are welcome to make a thread in the 'Staying well' section of the forums on the topic of music if you would like to.

[Guest_4643]

Thanks Sophie_M.

[Guest_1643]

Hi all

I don't know about others but I would feel uncomfortable giving too much info here - eg my real first name + where I live + basic background details - it would be easy to identify me quite quickly

I think ppl should be encouraged to be careful with using their real first names, unless they are very careful to change other details about themselves.

Although it's great to make friends here I think, from my own experiences through the MH system it is possible that ppl could be put in unhealthy positions if that were to happen outside the forums.
I think this rule needs to be clearer.

[Moonstruck]

If contributors could please stay "on topic" it would be good. It's easy I know to establish a friendly rapport with the thread originator, and others who post, and therefore drifting into a casual, social-type conversation about general things ......but every now and then take a glance at the Name of the Thread and try and stick to it...please.

[Guest_1643]

It is hard to stay on topic here and a bit of a minefield to understanding how to operate according to the rules. I don't know the rules and am not sure how to stay on topic. How much do we have to stay on topic? sometimes tangents can be kind of productive if they are topic-adjacent.
Also - I'm concerned about exclusion that happens here on occasion.

New users post on a long established thread and don't get acknowledged. This is a public space for vulnerable ppl. Whereever they post, they should be able to be included and get a response. From anyone. This keeps the discussions fresh and interesting and we should welcome diverse responses from any new members.

[quirkywords]

Sleepy we try as much as possible to reply to a person posting for first time on a long post that hasnt been used for a while.

I am often seeing first time posters in such threads and welcome them . I know we may miss a few but really it is one thing like you say that is important and we really try so hard to answer all first time posters wherever they post. Thanks for your contribution.

[Guest_1643]

Hi Quirky thats amazing that you guys try that and I know there are so so many threads

I meant also when ppl join in a thread and are ignored because the threads become close and cliquey.
That is very unhealthy in a MH forum and I just wanted to remind ppl that all threads are public
No one needs to be allowed to join, invited to join, or can be told to leave.
That is how we heal from having had exclusive environments - by making this inclusive, rather than replicating patterns of having only certain ppl included and accepted, and rejecting others. All threads are for everyone who feels they would like to join.

[Matchy69]

I have seen it recently where someone a new person was made to feel unwelcome on thread and I felt really sorry for this person and noticed they haven't replied to any other threads since.This is a mental health Forum and everyone should be welcome.I think we can lose the fact it is mental health forums with the cyber friendships we developed.These friendship are great as a lot of us are lonely and it is just good to have someone to talk to and this helps with mental health.

[Guest_1643]

Hi Mark

have seen that too and experienced it myself

Also seen it happen to others

There are no private threads. Of course some threads are for only certain ppl - eg the under 25 threads and I fully respect that boundary.

But if a thread is general than that meets it should be safe for everyone.

I'm interested to hera more about what u said about cyber friendships

It can be a great thing i think, what do u think? happy to hear any feedback on this or anything else re exclusivity and exlcusion on the threads. cheers

[quirkywords]

Matchy and Sleepy, and all those reading

I too have been ignored in a long thread where it seems like a club for just a few people.

I think we all know what it is like to feel excluded so we need to be as inclusive. On the whole most threads are inclusive and people try hard to help others. I have seen many examples of people reaching out and showing kindness to others on the forum and helping people who are a bit confused and lost.

You both and many others are very friendly and compassionate.