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 Sleepy

Balancing the “rights of users to share their truth”, as you put it, with the need to protect others is very tricky indeed.

I have a different view to you, as I think there is ample space for people to honestly discuss their pain and struggles. And I see this all the time on the forums.

I think it’s very important to acknowledge that these forums are public. So, when we’re talking, it’s not just to the people on the thread. There are potentially vulnerable children, nervous carers, scared newly diagnosed people and seriously unwell people reading, to cite some examples.

It’s also important to acknowledge that no one has an unlimited right to free speech on the forum. Community rules limit our freedoms for safety reasons. And legislation still applies, for example copyright or defamation.

I can definitely see how a discussion about serious pain etc benefits thread participants, but what if …

The conversation discourages help seeking? What if the conversation leaves one with no hope? What if the thread is one-sided and diminishes the value of a particular treatment that helps many people (eg medication)? And what if, further, there is no alternative offered or discussed in place of a service or treatment they might really need?

At what point does the potential risk of harm to many others outweigh the potential benefit to thread participants?

This is when moderators must step in. In my view, the overriding goal of the risk assessment done by moderators should be to find the outcome that causes the least amount of harm.

There is no black and white in some of these situations, Sleepy, just multiple shades of grey that require careful thought through a very wide lens.

I hope I haven’t upset you. I say all this with deep respect and a sincere hope that I will not damage the rapport we have developed.

Kind thoughts to you

[Guest_1643]

Hi summer rose,

Well said,

I know many people struggle with the concept of free speech here, I think u make very sensitive and caring points, free speech is not infinite.

I know it may sound contrary to bb or mh advocacy groups stance but in the last few years as I sought support for my own delayed onset ptsd, I learnt a lot.

I see how it could be perceived as irresponsible to discourage someone from going to a gp, but I also think it might be irresponsible to exclusively advocate for the gp.

I just want to be able to tell the truth, but I dont want to discourage ppl getting help, I want to support them to get suitable help for their situation. Great if gp and mhcp is sufficient and suitable.

Thanks I enjoy chatting to u and really appreciate U commenting and talking to me, on this thread.

[blondguy]

Hi Summer Rose and hey Sleepy....Kitty...Hanna....Quercus...Nat...and Grandy!

Great post on Feb 6 SR....especially when you mentioned "it’s what the community wants to know, not what someone else thinks we need to know" This represents transparency at its finest...:-)

Excellent set of questions you mentioned too..Thankyou

my kindest always

Paul

[Guest_1643]

They're all very valid points

Ppl talk a lot about the Royal commissions recommendations , I wander if they impact services like this?

I understand there is a push for lived experience contributing to change.

Bb are pretty good at adopting lived experiences contributions, and it feels good to have a voice

[Summer Rose]

Hi Sleepy, Paul and others

Firstly, a big thank you to you both for your kind feedback.

Sleepy, I’ve been thinking about your last two posts and wanted to encourage you to consider joining blue voices.

I belong to this bb volunteer reference group and through this arm of bb volunteers are provided with amazing opportunities to shape and contribute to bb’s work. This includes providing your thoughts on advertising campaigns, new services and advocacy work.

The feedback provided to bb is not public, so there is enormous scope to tell your truth in your own way without constraint and to know it will be heard.

For example, I was able to provide input into bb’s submission to the Productivity Commission report on mental health in Australia and to touch on really sensitive subjects in a very direct way. Because my comments were ultimately designed to reach mental health decision makers I enjoyed a greater freedom to tell my truth.

I can tell you, hand on heart, that my interactions with bb through blue voices leaves me with no doubt that bb puts the community at the heart of everything it does.

Just search blue voices on the bb website and see what you think.

Perhaps, as a way to keep this post on topic, I could suggest bb explore ways to cross promote it’s blue voices and other volunteer opportunities via the forum.

Kind thoughts to you

[Croix]

Dear All~

Thank you Summer Rose, you are spot-on and I would like to heartily endorse the role of Blue Voices (yes I know I don't show my badge) . It provides a huge range of opportunities to take part in matters that shape the welfare of those with mental heal issues, from national down to local levels. At the same time it is not a support group like the Forum, it is a place to give your views.

The activities are sufficiently diverse as to catch anyone's interests or abilities.

My only criticism is they overuse the word 'passionate' 🙂

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-involved/bluevoices

Croix

[Guest_1643]

Hi all, done!

I am impressed with BBS care for lived experience

Thank you to the mods.

I feel that the below conversations and reading how other ppl felt confused at times here or mistreated, cleared a lot of air, and made things feel more transparent.

[Guest_1643]

It bothers me a little when people use stigmatising language around Mental health, either

- describe people using outdated terms like crazy

-call others mentaly ill as an insult

- suggest ppl who are manipulative or cruel are synonymous wirh ppl with bpd (this isn't factually true and we have many users with bpd)

- talk about ppl who've had hopsital admissions or s. attempts as more unwell, inferior, or not the same as other users.

Please open up your hearts and know that ppl here reading have gone through a lot or are vulnerable or disabled and may feel hurt or see when u write something disrespectful to particular conditions.

[blondguy]

Hi Summer Rose

Thankyou for helping out with such a proactive post re Blue Voices and adding the care factor...Your clarity is refreshing 🙂

Our moderators have a tough job and the majority of members understand this.. yet...

I find there are some bizarre/insensitive comments as many members/champs have worked very hard to provide excellent input where improvements to the forums is concerned.....to no avail....Thus the existing lack of transparency..

You mentioned 'bb puts the community at the heart of everything it does' No they dont Summer Rose!

Paul

[Summer Rose]

Hi Paul

I hear what you’re saying and respect your view about what’s at the heart, or not at the heart, of bb.

I was expressing a view solely based on my experience, which is far narrower than yours. Understand your experience is different.

I think it’s awesome that despite your frustrations, you are still here trying to make the forum a better place. Bb is lucky to have you.

Kind thoughts to you