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?

[Summer Rose]

Hi Quercus and Sleepy

Agree with your ideas so much.

I’d like to see a Q&A format to explain the rules, which makes it easy for skimmers to find specific information and ensures the information provided reflects real experience. In other words, it’s what the community wants to know, not what someone else thinks we need to know.

So, questions could be real life and submitted by community members. The most commonly asked questions get answered by bb.

For example some questions might be:

Q: I was participating on a thread that’s disappeared. What are some of the reasons to explain why this could have happened?

Q: Why is it important to stay on the topic of a thread?

Q: If a post upsets me, is it better to let the other person know or report the thread?

Q: What happens if I start a thread and can’t continue it?

Q: Why can’t I write a goodbye message to my friends in the forum?

Q: Is it considered rude to stop participating in a thread?

Q: Is it okay to write a post on an inactive thread to check on a person? Or is that considered pressure to respond?

Q: What should I do if I know someone has posted something that just can’t be true?

Q: How do I know I can trust the information that other people post?

Q: Why can’t I ask someone I really connect with to meet up with me in real life?

Q: I drink an awesome herbal tea that I swear helps my anxiety. Is it okay to tell others about it and name the brand?

Q: I had a horrible experience with a psychiatrist. Should I warn others to stay away from them. If not, why?

I could write hundreds of questions based on my real experience, as I’m sure we all could. Would love to read the answers.

Kind thoughts to all

[Guest_1643]

Hi summer rose, totally!

That's a great idea.

[Guest_1643]

In my opinion moderation here is relatively hands off, and this space is peer driven.

It's also open to be used in multiple ways, with a very broad scope.

U can vent and just share disappointment, just get Ur pain out in words, or you can have like cyber friendships, where u check in on one another, or u can share poetry or interests, or actually advise and guide others on their problems.

I think because it's so wide and open, clashes can happen, ie someone can be just venting and another person can share a coping strategy, and it's a clash....the person didn't want advice, just to write and get it out,

Other times ppl ask for advice and want it and feel let down if it's not offered.

It's really hard for me to know sometimes what the person needs and I occasionally get anxious posting, thinking I've misread entirely what is being asked.

I wouldn't mind if mods or even peers created some advice for how to manage conflict here, or some experiences on how they've managed if they feel they've said something wrong.

[mmMekitty]

Hi sleepy,

If in doubt about wether someone posting is expressing thoughts & feelings, or asking for some specific advice or suggestions, or wanting to hear from others with similar or different experiences about something, please, ask.

I admit, there are times I might not be as clear about what I would like from other members, so I would welcome the question, "Please, mmMekitty, would you likesuggestions, or do you have a specific question? Or are you venting?" I think if a question about what the person wants or not, is fine, politely asked, of-course.

I can tell you, & everyone, if I post in the Vent & then let it go, thread, I don't expect a reply, even if my post contain a question. I do like that thread very much, because , there it is like I am asking myself something, & listening for my own response to what I post. Or it is more basic, like yelling into the night, no response expected, just getting it out.

This is an open space, where people may respond with questions, opinions, suggestions, & maybe even advice, but mind how direct that is... re brand names, or I've had a generic name modified, into something even more general.

I do recall, there is something here about being able to point to where any information claimed to be factual, was found, so it can be verified..

I am disappointed that information I have found on Aus Gov websites won't now be welcom on this website. I think having factual sources is important, both physically & mentally. I have found having info to guide my decisions very helpful while I am trying to cope with the difficulties I've had. Without. I am adrift in the ocean.

I think a site like this could & should have links to reliable info, for when people do have questions which strictly don't entirely fall within the area of mental health.

*

& about trigger warnings, if I knew what would trigger someone at any given time, the list would be long & ever changing. Sure there are some topics & content which is more likely to trigger some people, but a lot more which is not so predictable. I come across the occasional word or phrase, in places which are about as safe as this place gets, but for me, in that moment, but maybe not any other time, I was triggered. I don't want to see a trigger warning there. I don't want to start seeing trigger warnings everywhere.

mmMekitty

[Guest_1643]

Hi mekitty, that's a good idea to ask.

I love that thread too for venting.

I think trigger warnings can be really helpful, and wouldmlove guidance on how to use them.

[Hanna3]

I agree people should be able to send a farewell post on their thread if they are leaving BB.

[mmMekitty]

& Sleepy, I agree, more guidance or even a way to add a warning at a later date, when it becomes important to do so. Or move my thread to a section, where readers are advised, that all threads have a trigger warning there.

mmMekitty

[Guest_1643]

Hi mekitty

All great ideas

I am sorry for triggering ppl and know my own thread has triggering words in the title

I myself like talking about deep topics and at the same time am aware jt can be a lot.

I appreciate when ppl put trigger warnings, it's just something I'm not used to doing, and am a bit scared of messinf up.

Sometimes ppl write cw, for content warning, or tw, with the specific triggers.

I guess it is our rights as users to share our truth and it may b triggering to others... it's a toughie because too much censorship could also prevent ppl being honest when they need help, and as a mh forum there should be some space for conversations about serious pain, disability, si, sh,...otherwise where can ppl be honest about their struggles

[Guest_1643]

Hi Summer Rose,

Re if someone says something that upsets me, should I report it or speak to them?

I've always kind of thought like real life, it could be a chance to build assertiveness or learn to work through difficulties, and try and tell the person.

However if I think the post could hurt others beyond me I would report, ie if it's sexist or insensitive to trauma survivors.

I personally see value in raising issues with ppl if possible. They may not know they have hurt u and may be happy to be told.

I guess also it's good to do something, if u see something distressing, to try and resolve it.

It's hard to do but I like to think it's like life here, sometimes ppl disagree and can have a chat.

I've been corrected a few times and it was helpful for me to learn and grow.

[Guest_1643]

I think that thread does not need govt links and it woild detract from the threads value.

Sometimes ppl vent and need that to cope,

Then they get told what to do and it I believe detracts from the purpose of the thread.

Some ppl have a preferred news source or public figure, but that doesn't make that persons views factual.

So I feel the coronavirus thread does not need more govt info or guidelines and it makes me feel unsafe there and probably a bit like an outsider when ppl give me lots of info there....

I like having free flowing chats there and also want tppl to assume,e the best of each other.

What may seem to someone as conspiracy theories may be one person's fact.