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]

Hi deebi,

I agree and like what Ur saying.

I would also be willing to offer my time as a peer moderator

I like the idea of more peer input which is used as moderation, some users do this anyway, but I feel sometimes peers just get it more and will come with more empathy for the user.

I think sane forums does this, and other forums

[mmMekitty]

Hi everyone,

Re: SH & S*****E (I don't want another email because I use a word), Thanks, Sleepy. My sentiments exactly. Being forbidden to talk about my attempt was possibly the most damaging thing my parents did. I am very sensitive about censorship, & not beiing allowed my own words.

As for 'getting ideas' or 'giving anyone ideas', I am mindful of the fact NO ONE gave me ideas - I'dhad thoughts & ideas without any prompting, hints, or anything.

Learning it's okay to talk has been one of the most important things I learned in therapy.

*

I think some people could find the very idea of private messages being exchanged between some users would be very confronting, perhaps triggering deep emotions.

I can imagine other problems, such as needing to be even more vigilant about how people might use/abuse such a private messaging opportunity. I don't imagine BB has the staff to monitor it closely enough.

I'd like to trust everyone , but my real life experience has shown me I cannot. So, I agree with erring on the side of caution.

*

My feelings will remain mixed, & I won't be entirely comfortable knowing I cannot be as frank as I'd like, when speaking about myself & my own experiences.

I return to asking myself, whose story is told, Who decides & writes them? What difference would it make if stories are told & written by the people who experience them? The staff of BB don't own my story & I don't want them to treat it as if they do.

Kind regards to all,

mmMekitty

[britishtvfan]

i personally would be ok with the private messaging, as long as it's moderated. perhaps there could be an option for people to switch messages on & off? so if they have them on, ask them if it's ok, and if they have them switched off, it would mean they don't wish to be messaged.

i would also like to have the chance to edit posts, so for example if someone makes a typo, rather than making a new post.

& be able to post pictures & GIFs (obviously approved by mods first, i mean things such as a dog or something).

i would also like to see what's called "roles" here which i saw on another site. so there would be a thread where you pick age groups (for example 13-19, etc, not the exact age), diagnoses (depression, etc), if you want people to reach out to you or not, male, female, etc. so it may help people understand how to address users & what their issues are. & an option to say if we are medicated (not the medication name, just if we are or not).

i think maybe medication threads could be helpful, even if medication names aren't mentioned? so for example a thread for SSRIs, & we could say the dosage or something & if anyone else has the same side effects? i know everybody is different but i thought that could be beneficial to those on meds, & those possibly considering going on them (although i know they would get professional help, but i mean read others experiences from people who actually take meds) although meds aren't for everyone.

[Guest_1643]

Wow, I should speak up more often.,,

I'm really grateful to everyone here Sharimg their honest experiences discussing sh and si, I feel much less alone

I think I got too sensitive to the censorship and felt my experience was too much

I agree with Ur posts mekitty, the stigma and shame is so heavy I genuinely feel if it's it the appropriate section there is room and space for honest, while sensitive and cautious, conversations about what it can feel like to struggle with si

[Guest_1643]

Hi,

I don't think messaging each other would work personally, but am i in the minority ? I'd be happy to volunteer a few hours a week for moderation, sounds like ppl would be OK to do that, and peers helping peers is my idea of a Safe space

I think swearing is fine, but I'm currently unclear if it's ok here.

I think itnwould be nice when ppl join if we have a welcome pack or link , to explain a bit about how things work.

I'd like newcomers to know that the place is quiet over weekends, that the bb Cafe is a nice central place to meet ppl, and a bit about the different roles here ie someti,es ppl are confused what the moderators role is and don't know what to make of their posts.

it took me a while to understand how to find the bb Cafe, how to use the various sections, and I think I made mistakes along the way, posted in places looking to connect, judt based on titles of threads....I still remember feeling so confused when I joined, and want to help new users avoid this.

[Matchy69]

Hi sleepy I personally found this sight very hard to use at first finding my way around and how to start my own thread.Maby that's just me.Now I have been on here a few years it is much easier.

I think being able to edit post would be a great idea.I make mistakes so often spelling words wrong and leaving words out which makes it hard to understand what I have typed.

[white knight]

Hi everyone

I've been loosely following most comments here for a while as "suggestions and comments" are always interesting.

From my experience in so many jobs with so many organisations over my lifetime, I've come to the conclusion that change can often be slow, minute but rarely radical. Effectively it all depends on the 'nature of the beast (organisation)'.

So beyondblue forum for example has moderators and forum rules. They are not set up for members to be peer moderators only peer advisers as in Community champions and non champions that have the knowledge to pass on some experience and/or knowledge. eg I think I'm the senior champion now along with Geoff our most senior member and champion alumni but we've never moderated nor have the ability to in terms of editing etc.

Other forums might well have a different set up, different program but at this time this forum is the "animal" that it is. Like a giant machine it is set in its ways and not many things are changeable.... not at the moment anyway.

Therefore suggestions and comments in my opinion are welcome for sure but run into the pointless zone if the forum is not capable in such change or it isnt considered worthy by the management.

All large organisation have their "nature" of their machine.

So in terms of editing and leaving words out Sleepy (and we've all done it) I suggest you do a spell check or read over your post prior to posting. Yet, your comment that when new its hard to get used to the site- totally agree, it took me quite a while which some people wouldnt have the patience for.

TonyWK

[quirkywords]

Mark

i signed up for the forums but it took me nearly two years before I could have access the forums and a month before I could make a post. Some people are more confident with technology on the forums.

[Guest_1643]

Hi all, I believe it were other lovely users and not myself requesting editing functions.

I'm okay without that function personally, let my typos fly...

[Summer Rose]

Hi Tony

Great post. You got me thinking with the phrase “pointless zone”, with regard to some suggestions.

Can someone please explain how we are to know what’s pointless and what’s realistic? How do we know if we are wasting our time thinking and writing about ideas for improvement?

It’s a really important point because not understanding where the line is unnecessarily creates situations where community members’ expectations can’t be met.

Kind thoughts to you