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 Added,
Thanks for your question,

Currently, users are unable to unpin/unfollow threads. However, over on the “Forum Changes -updates thread!” thread, the ProjectTeam have responded saying this will be a feature on the new and improved forums (yay!).

ProjectTeam - “Sleepy21 - you asked about unsubscribing to threads. Yes, you will be able to both subscribe and un-subscribe to threads. You can also subscribe / unsubscribe to entire boards - though I suspect doing this for threads is more useful?”

 

[Guest_1643]

I think advocacy groups such as BB sometimes push the medical model of centring Ur gp and following his guidelines for mh as a very secure, safe and sane way to get well.

I've got a lovely gp but I don't agree with that model as reliable, safe, or "the answer".

I truly believe being prepared that there are issues in the mh system, being selective, smart and willing to seek a second opinion is all part of getting well.

I'm really sorry if it sounded judgemental against go's or psychologists, I believe rhey can help so much, but not all of them, and not all the time,

[Guest_1643]

I am not a fan of most psy hotropics except for emergency but to ea h their own. I wasted years of my life in gps office and gave medications that I didn't need with diagnoses that were jncorrect. I support informed consent ....research, ask, and trust Ur gut. Drs are judt humans, they do make mistakes. Not all gps are sensitive, or able to diagnoses ptsd, abuse or vulnerabilities. A good clinician can come in many forms. For me, the best one I met was a mh nurse in emergency triage.

I'd been dismissed by my gp.

I think it's OK to look and ask beyond one's gp for understanding of why one feels bad. Pills are one solution.

There are more.

[britishtvfan]

also my suggestion:

perhaps we could have badges that would appear on our profiles, like the valued contributor etc badges?

so what i mean is there would be a thread where we can choose our "roles" as they're called, so gender (other options other than male & female), sexuality (straight, bi, lesbian, gay, prefer not to say, questioning, etc), age (i don't mean exact age, i mean for example 13-19 & so on), our diagnoseses (depression, etc, if you feel comfortable answering).

i thought this would be a good idea so we could know how to address each other, so for example, pronouns. obviously if you're not comfortable then that's fine but i just thought it could be a suggestion.

[mmMekitty]

I have been thinking, I would like, if anything in a post I am wanting to post is deemed to be inappropriate, against any guidelines, or fore any reason, that the moderators permit me the opportunity to edit my own post, then they can review it again, & then, either my edited post is posted, or the moderators then edit, or not permit it to be posted, as they choose.

I would also like readers to know when my posts are edited by the moderators.

*

I might like to use some of the personal badges as Robthomaslover has suggested. On a site many years ago, there were several small icons to choose from, to indicate one's mood, daily, or as often as one liked. They had done this from their profile page.

Of-course, I would like my text-to-speech reader to be able to identify them to me.

mmMekitty

[golden82]

Hi Sleepy, agree with everything u wrote here. I have seen so much bias in one narrative being all okay to put forward but any opposing is not. I have struggled thru this, it was frustrating & disheartening and made me feel worse, more isolated. Not given a voice to connect with other ppl feeling similar. Or only snippets of it which didn't even give my true feelings. This has been horrible for mh in such an isolating time and this being one of the few domains to be less alone. I took a break. Still read though, but seen the tone and language of some regularly slipping thru. It is toxic for sure. It makes me feel uncomfortable and in fact angry that it is allowed to go on. And worse that it is coming from ppl who are regulars and one would hope be better than that. But Covid has seen ppl show their nature. I feel it too. I am saddened that you don't feel safe at times here Sleepy. It shouldn't be that way. Sorry, but i am not familiar with other online groups. Thanks for being brave to put yourself out there like that. You are not alone. Let's hope for improvements.

[blondguy]

Hey Sleepy

This is my sixth anniversary on the forums and you are not alone where feeling isolated is concerned. I seem to have some 'issues' on the Covid thread for some reason when I post....I dont know why..

You come first Sleepy....all other considerations are secondary

Even though I dont agree with you about the value of GP's....I am a big fan of your posts 🙂

my kindest

Paul

[Summer Rose]

Hi Paul, Golden and Sleepy

I feel so validated to have read your posts. I also left the Covid thread because I didn’t feel safe, valued or welcome. For a long time I thought it was just me. Glad to know I’m not alone.

Such a shame though. Could have been a helpful place to spend time.

Kind thoughts to you all

[Guest_1643]

Hi Paul,

I truly believe being prepared that there are issues in the mh system, being selective, smart and willing to seek a second opinion is all part of getting well.

I'm really sorry if it sounded judgemental against go's or psychologists, I believe rhey can help so much, but not all of them, and not all the time,

Thanks Paul for Ur comments and honesty!

[Guest_1643]

Tbh I think moderators have a little more responsibility to ensure that ppl are safe.

I am sorry golden and summerrose that u had to step away at times. I really hope it doesn't distress y too much