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_1643]

Ps psychiatrists and medical doctors are governed by ahpra, and complaints can be made through their forms. I believe u can be anonymous, although it may limit what can be investigated.

Ratemds is another place where drs are reviewed...it would be good if we had more practical tips instead of just being told to go to a gp.

[Guest_1643]

Ratemds is another place where drs are reviewed...it would be good if we had more practical tips instead of just being told to go to a gp.

[golden82]

Hi robthomaslover,

Sometimes posts get forgotten to reply to. Eg i meant to reply to mekitty on this thread several days ago and forgot. I can't even remember now what i was going to say .. just in support of her ideas i think (sorry for that mekitty). But ppl do just sometimes forget. Also as Sleepy was saying sometimes ppl will read but don't know what to say. I wouldn't take it as a personal thing. And this is a mh space.. ppl do what they can do.

I have seen on your thread many consistent and caring replies from Matchy, SummerRose and Quirky and obv Sophie and there are probably ppl i have missed. This is more than many others. If i could make a suggestion it would be to focus on the positives of these kind ppl.

[geoff]

Hello All, everyone thinks differently, and in all honesty, what they say to others is meant with the goodness of their heart, unfortunately, it may not be interrupted the same way as the person who wrote it and taken the wrong way.

I'm sure this was not their intention and would probably want to rephrase the comment but this may not be possible, but if you could walk away, just for a moment and read the comment again in another way, then you might be able to understand what the person is trying to say.

I'm sorry robthomaslover for feeling this way and you are most welcome on the forums, perhaps people can't come to terms with your username change, just saying.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[Guest_1643]

Hi,

I dd mention about GPs but was talking about the idea of pushing the medical model on users here, and how narrow it is.

I asked for General discussions about toxic positivity here and fantasy ideas about mental health and I personally didn't connect to Ur response, but that happens.

I've got to look after myself here, but I think that's not about hurting or ignoring others.

[mmMekitty]

Hi Robthomaslover. I'm sorry I didn't pay enough to each post coming into BB Cafe, congratulating Matchy in advance of the birth of a grandchild. That rather took attention away from you, I suppose, leaving you feeling overlooked. If the BB Café was a real café, the scene would have been that a small excited crowd had gathered to congratulate Matchyin the middle.

Then Matchy & Sleepy were having a good conversation about hail & car stuff too, so I let it be... It seems to be that way sometimes.

I don't know you from before, or very well yet, so I don't know where you are likely to be posting, yet, either. I don't go into every Section or look into every Thread. There is so much here!

I'll try to keep in mind; you'd like people to say 'hello'. 😸

...Which reminds me, I have found the 'search' thing not very helpful. I also have trouble filtering the results. I'd like to ask for 'most recent' or for a specific year, maybe?

mmMekitty

[Guest_1584]

Noooo , no at all and don't worry about such things.

That happens to me to, probably everyone some time or other it's not personal at all and l remember from your other id people really loved you about, did myself to , even if l didn;t say hello or something some times.But there are things to like me for example l'm dyslexic and it's a real strain reading too many posts or going back when l'm replying or forgetting something. l can only handle a couple. l notice to other people will pick out one they relate to or specific replies and stuff and that's fair enough to can't getem all.There's a lot of people and it's a lot of work , it's not personal.

Take care.

rx

[Guest_1643]

Totally agree

Robthomaslover

As I remember Ur previous interactions here I know u often wrote ppl ignored u, and then said they misunderstood Ur avpd, or weren't sensitive to Ur triggers.

May I point out I have a similar diagnosis, and I so understand, and I speak up tonnes anout bullying on the forum,and work a lot to include ppl.

[Summer Rose]

Hi Sleepy

I want to chime in here and validate what you just said.

You are kind and strong at the same time and I see you as a passionate champion for your core beliefs.

Your kind words have made a real difference to me when I have felt unwelcome here and I am grateful to you.

You and robthomaslover have a challenging condition to manage. I don’t know a lot about it. Perhaps you could team up to help educate me and others who want to learn? Just a thought.

Kind thoughts to you

[Guest_1643]

Hi Summerose, thanks therr are 3 clusters of personality disorders, cluster a, b and c.

I have a personality disorder from repeated traumas. I experienced repeated abuse and neglect growing up and as a result my brain is always trying to male things safe. For me, at times, I control my situation to feel safe.

I don't identify wholly with myself through the personality disorder, I think some of the traits I've beat through self awareness and therapy. I hold it lightly.

But a comppex personality disorder, tbh, I know I have. It's also very stigmatised.

I would describe it as a type of chronic anxiety about feeling threatened or that my trauma is recurring. I'm also super hard on myself or others at times, because I am trying to keep safe.

Avdp is not my diagnosis exactly but is also a cluster c disorder, they are similar. Attachment styles also come in to it, there is healthy attachment, anxious and avoidant.

I use the knowledge but I don't hold it so firmly, I think personality disorders are completely treatable and the literature or pop dialogue around it sometimes makes it sound like it's a stuck, static way of being.

Some of my ocpd traits have literally dissolved in front of my eyes with correct treatment and supportive therapy.

I'm proud of having a perosnality disorder, it doesn't mean we're mean or controlling, it's an extended form of coping after trauma.

Thank u for Ur kindness, I was very scared to mention my disorder here for fear of stigma. Ur very caring summer Rose and all.