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?

[Guest_1584]

Yeah l get the same problem but mostly the 'my threads' does me bc anything beyond the first page isn't usually getting used anymore anyway. There's been a few l'd like to check in on but then l realized if they've been back and posted, it would've showed up on my first page anyway .

rx

[Guest_1643]

hi geoff, i second ur point!

how would ppl feel if underneath ur username/profile, it had a link to ur thread? Like mayb the main one you use?

I've seen other places which have that, so whn u click on someon's profile u can see threads they have created...

i'm on the fence about it, it feels bit intrusive maybe to give evryon all tht info but it does get hrd sometimes if u want to post on someone's thread and join in the convo i have personally a trrible time finding where the thread is.

i guess we just ask each other where to find each others threads here to solve that, but sometimes someone wll post about a discussion they'r having on their own thread and i'd like to find it and join in but have no idea how to.

[Lillylane]

Hi All,

I’d love to see an easier-to-find ‘login’ button/link.

At the moment it’s located towards the bottom of the menu, and it’s easy to miss, especially if using it on a phone.

Thanks for the forums and to all the people who are involved.

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

If mods are going to edit a post, can they perform member checking first? Deliberating over a post to get it just how you want (surely I’m not the only one that does this) and then having it altered to say something you wouldn’t say, or just not making sense, is uncomfortable.

And my thanks to mods regardless. You/they do a good job of keeping the forums a safe space. Thankyou

[golden82]

Agree 1000%. It is our feelings/stories that we are vulnerable in sharing. Then to have some random person change it - is bizarre and upsetting and when it is a reply to another member it can come across weird and not make sense. It is putting words in your mouth that you did not say. Or leaving out critical points. It is one of the main reasons I think to cease using bb. I am sure we are not alone with this issue Katy. Be interesting to see what other members think about this. I agree with keeping members safe - but it seems over the top editing.

[geoff]

Hi Mods, I wonder whether the generic email we receive when a particular word is mentioned can be relaxed because mostly when the reply is checked by a moderator the reply is posted to that thread.

Imagine the wear and tear you would save rather than a long email we receive, over time the cost would be enormous.

Geoff.

[Guest_1643]

hi golden, thats rough

ppl should be able to share things freely

im grateful u have posted this today but sad if you feel unsafe here, really sad, and hurt for u. sending care to u

[blondguy]

Im sorry you feel that way Golden....Its not how the forums works

We have young members on the forums too....Its the big picture...Facebook is unmoderated....we are have moderators to make the forums a safe place for everyone

If you have any questions you are always welcome to ask 🙂

Paul

[Guest_1643]

. I don't feel validated when sharing my experience with a health service, that faild me and didnt work for me, is seen as discouraging others from help seeking. Those two things ar not the same. I can have had a negative experience somewhere, and still encourage others to seek help. Good to vent here honestly

[Hanna3]

I've had the same problem too - what ends up on BB is absolutely not what I would have ever said. I only know it's been done after the event when I received the email from BB and I have no redress.