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?

[Matchy69]

Hi Katy I have had the same problem.I use to like changing mine regularly but it's to hard so I haven't tried lately.I am stuck with my beautiful rose at the moment.I wondered about your bag of rubbish in your profile picture.

[geoff]

Hello Katy, when I changed my picture there was also a problem in taking a long time and have been informed that this is being investigated by the IT experts on the site.

Mine did eventually change but there was a problem.

Geoff.

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Thanks for your replies Matchy and Geoff. All fixed today so perhaps someone read my post 🙂

[quirkywords]

Katy glad you had it fixed.
Sometimes these things take time but they will be fixed.
I like your new profile pic.?

[blondguy]

Hi Golden....Thankyou for your very helpful post....

There are a couple of important points missing in the support post on Jan 31 22...(Just staying on topic)

* Transparency in communication

* Motivational input

This is a part of the post from a Beyond Blue business hours representative on Jan 31 22

"While we love to see you supporting each other and being open here, we kindly ask you to do so elsewhere on the forums, whether on your own thread, or in one of the other sections"

[Ggrand]

Hello Everyone,

Please don’t get upset or angry with anyone here...on these forums...support is a must for everyone here..

I know BB are doing their best to keep these forums safe for everyone..

I come into this thread to read about suggestions to improve the forums for all our community members, to which you are all apart of...

Some posts starting making me uncomfortable, I mean..I come in to read about suggestions and instead are reading about mental health struggles....and some of the things I have read can be triggering for me and maybe others..I try to keep away from these types of posts when I’m not doing to well, due to them bringing me a down a bit further...

Sometimes threads can get off subject, that’s very understandable, due to questions of other members being answered..and I feel that is okay, but occasionally our beautiful mods have to step in with a gentle reminder to us all to bring the thread back to topic, if not then members are not likely to use this thread for suggestions on improving the forums, instead they could stay away because it’s starting to become a threat to them with triggering words in it....like it has to me..

Please let’s just keep this thread for the wonderful suggestions that you all have made...a place that anyone can come to to help make these forums more easier for everyone to use..

I am sorry if my words have hurt anyone...it’s not intentional at all...it’s just that I used to like listening to suggestions for improving these forums, even though I’ve had none...you all here and possibly other members reading will have some great suggestions to add here..

Hugs everyone..again I’m sorry if I have offended or upset anyone..

Grandy..

[Learn to Fly]

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for your valuable thoughts and suggestions. I'm sure they will be taken on board. I do agree with Tony that it is easy for a written word to be misinterpreted. We don't see the other person, we are unable to rely on our visual cues, somebody's facial expressions and body language that accompany the speech. These usually help us with adequate identification and message decoding.

In addition, we might be in various states of mind and be more or less susceptible and/or vulnerable to somebody's response. It can be a complicated and conflicting process and I understand what you are saying about having mixed feelings at times but I also do feel that the moderators are trying their best but might not always be able to satisfy everyone's needs. As many people read any post, as many varied interpretations and individual emotions.

Take care, Everyone!

[Summer Rose]

Hi Grandy

Thanks so much for your gentle reminder of why it’s important to stay on topic here.

Your story really demonstrates how easy it is to inadvertently cause harm on the forum. I’m so sorry to have participated in a discussion that triggered you. Please know that it was done without any intent to cause harm to anyone.

Love reading your wise and always kind posts on the forum. Thank you for your honesty and for doing your bit to promote safety.

I’m off topic, again, I know. But I hope you will forgive me—I would have felt dreadful not to apologise to you.

Kind thoughts to you

[Guest_1643]

Hi ,

To carry on Goldens and many others messaging about transparency,

If a post is edited, having a mark that is edited, sounds like a great idea.

I'd also ask that staff and moderators respect our struggles with disability and vulnerability, and be as transparent as possible, ie if we are told someone will email or follow up with us, try to make good.

I also think if an entire thread is deleted, moderators should replace the link with a comment on why it was deleted and redirect to some other places in the forms to speak.

[Guest_1584]

Hey sleep. l actually asked mods if it was possible to delete one of my threads for important personal reasons and so l was really pleased and relieved that it could be deleted and was. But in my instance l couldn't leave any explanation either as that in itself would've also compromised those reasons .

So there most likely were a few situations like that with others too as sometimes it can be very tricky attempting to discuss some of our personal situations.

rx