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 Matchy,

There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to roll out a platform update that should address many of the issues you and others have raised here. It will be several months before you see the improvements yourself but we can confirm it will happen later this year.

[Matchy69]

Thanks for the update.Looking forward to the changes later in the year.

[blondguy]

Hi Mark and thankyou Sophie_M for providing a time frame!

Online forum management were fantastic and asked us (Community Champions) for our input/suggestions for the new forum platform in 2018

We were expecting a new platform rollout in early/mid 2019. Even though it didnt happen I do my best on our current platform which seems to be doing okay

Note: This is a respectful post of appreciation for the effort and several months + that management worked on providing a new platform to make it easier for people who are doing it hard

I hope this has been of some help Mark 🙂

My kindest always....Paul

[demonblaster]

Hi everyone 😊

This possibly has been mentioned already.

I wonder if instead of " All threads" it could be easier for people if it says "All Sections".

As well do youse think it might be easier to pin in each section or have as part of the Red buttons above maybe in "5 tips of getting the most out of forums"a link to Sophies 1st post here explaining how to make a thread which seems to be a recurring problem people are unsure about.

Could a click on a button at the bottom of posts be helpful to add a post to "my threads"... without people needing to reply which many no doubt are not ready to post yet which is quite ok. In your own time ☺

Hoping we can all find something in our days that sparks or creates a good memory to draw some light on.

⚘

[demonblaster]

Back again.

Thinking more on where to put making a new thread if you think that'd be a go what about instead of the title "New posts" that might indicate to people how to start a thread which it's not...change the name to recent threads/posts or similar and put a "making a new thread" before "My threads" or in there somewhere.That way it's standing out.

Dear Amberlight hi darl. As our lovely Quirky mentioned in her gentle warm manner anyones welcome to post anywhere.

Yes some threads become personal as friendships are made. Any input is welcome and here being how it is you'd be welcomed and appreciated. Everyones input potentially helps many people ☺ Take care and glad you're "still here". I've read some of your posts and you're doing just fine my dear 🌴

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi demonblaster,

With the suggestion about all sections, it's actually not all of the sections! One of the sections is called 'Long term support over the journey' which is where single threads have very long conversations. After a lot of discussion BB decided to 'hide' the posts from the 'All posts' part of the main page.

The idea of adding a post to 'My Threads' is totally coming as well. I'm so excited for this, because we get to 'follow' threads, which is exactly what you are suggesting, so that we can see the updates without ever needing to contribute, and 'unfollow' threads, which is also super useful if there's a thread you no longer want to see.

In the meantime, one way to follow threads is just to leave a comment, you can say something like "Please don't reply to me I just want to read this thread" or something similar. Not the same, but one small way of being able to get those updates.

I also really like your other ideas. I'm so keen for this new platform and have very high expectations!

rt

[Guest_1643]

Hi all!

that was something i was wandering about for a while - so many times i see a thread and hope to comment later and have a really hard time finding it again

Sometimes I use the "search" bar to find it again, but the search bar seems more inclined to find threads by their title and not by their content.
So if someone was talking about going to hospital... but their thread is called "Hi guys! Newbie here..."

I'll never find it....all I remember is one or two words what it was about but i can't find it easily at all

I think being able to follow and unfollow threads makes a lot of sense. i believe some ppl also like to have a break from threads in the PTSD or suicidality sections.. or mayb take a moment to focus more on the living well section. Being able to control what you get updated on makes sense to me. I think it could be healthier for some ppl.

[Guest_4643]

Without sounding rude, selfish and controlling, I don't think there should be discussions of sex on the forums.

I have seen people here as young as 13. There's some people who go into detail about what they do. I think if people are having problems with their sex life then they should discuss this with their partner and/or a GP if they have sexual health issues.

it's very uncomfortable to read, sometimes I open a thread just to see what it is and I have no idea. It's very creepy.

[quirkywords]

Mb20lover

Thanks for expressing your thoughts .

In my experience have not seen any threads about sex except for people with porn addiction or married to a porn addict.
I have seen threads about people having different sex lives, but apart from those two examples I haven’t read any discussion son sex.

I can see why people may be uncomfortable reading about discussions about sex.

Thanks again for your posts.

[Guest_4643]

I've seen a few. Not trying to sound judgemental or anything like that. I know the forums are a safe place and we're free to post whatever as long as it's within the rules. It's just uncomfortable that's all. Usually I scroll past if I know it's about something like that.