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?

[Croix]

Dear Summer Rose~

I'd have to that I"m sure no suggestion is pointless. It raises up ideas, some have been considered before, and mybe some are new.

The current platform has it's limitations, and I'm not sure how many ideas can be accommodated, possibly very few.

In any new platform there may well be the means to implement other ideas, thogh that does not mean htey will, as they not be considered good ideas.

Take for example the request that keeps coming back to have private messaging. Even if it were possible I doubt it would ever be implemented as the whole idea of this forum is that it is all open to everyone who wishes to read it. That was it yields maximum help to as many peole as possible.

To lock off segments in PMs would hide some of this, and at the same time increase workload for staff and moderatos.

[Croix]

Sorry, the internet ate my post and put it up unfinished

Anyway ...

All suggestions are worthwhile, please keep them coming, and in relation to PMs, whatever people say is a benefit to others and should not be hidden away.

Your highly organized example on 6 February of suggestions in the form of questions that matter to you is an ideal approach.

I agree a little more feedback, as Sophie_M did on 18 February, may make the suggestion process easier. Beyond Blue has promised a new platform and I'm looking forward to seeing what it will be like when it arrives.

Croix

[Guest_1643]

I personally think it would be potentially dangerous having sections about medications

Re diagnoses, we are not our diagnosis I would not want to share mine, and ppl often get wrongly diagnosed, or get a new diagnoses that either adds to or overrides previous dxs.

In order to access services, we may need a Dx, but to chat here I'd much rather talk as humans.

I don't see a safe way to have private messaging.

[geoff]

Hi All, the new program well we've been waiting for it to arrive, and basically I've heard this was going to happen over all the years I've been on the forums.

In regards to S if you're talking to someone about S and happen to mention it, in a revellent situation and certainly not how to, it should be allowed straight through, rather than get a lengthy email from the computer saying 'thanks for your reply but it's waiting for the moderation to check it and then it continues on with a book of advise, all which we have seen so many times.

Firstly it doesn't let you know which thread you are replying to, so when you reply to 3 or 4 comments you have no idea of which thread they are talking about, unless you write them down on some paper, wwhich shouldn't have to happen.

The vocabulary with what the computer picks up needs to be altered, you can mention the S word when you're posting new thread.

If a new person is replying to a comment and it's their first reply and they then receive this lengthy email 'held for moderation' then the chances of them disappearing are very high and we won't see them again, which isn't good because they may be needing help and replying only to gain some confidence before they actually post about their own problem.

Take care.

Geoff.

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone!

I only want to provide the best possible support to people without reading about seniority or politics. Beyond Blue is a national mental health initiative and the bulk of the 'clicks' (70%) to the forums are people that choose to read only and benefit which is excellent!

Thankyou Sophie for the last post on the 18th ..and Summer Rose for your super helpful input

I hope people continue to provide their suggestions as the forums are a safe and non judgmental place to post!

my kindest

Paul

[Summer Rose]

Hi Croix

Thanks so much for your reply.

I really like the way you think, have always admired your posts. We don’t always talk so going to take this opportunity to thank you for being a Community Champion.

I take and accept your point that all suggestions are useful in some way to bb’s work even if they can’t be adopted to the new forum as Tony has pointed out.

I’m so looking forward to the new forum, too.

Kind thoughts to you

[Sophie_M]

Hey team,

We can hear how important it is to many of you be able to speak about suicide and self-harm here on the forums. Discussions of suicide are allowed on the forums and we know that these can be healing and validating conversations. However, as Croix has mentioned, we can only do so in ways that are safe for this community. There’s some guidance on how we achieve that here on the Suicidal thoughts and self-harm: Posting in this section thread, where we ask that you don’t mention plans or ideas and let us know you’re safe. This section, like the rest of our forums, is closely monitored and all posts are reviewed by moderators before publication. If you’ve had posts edited or not published that you do think fit into these guidelines, please report the post using the Report Post button and we’ll take a look.

We acknowledge that it can be difficult when moderation is not instant, however due to the care and effort we put into supporting users in distress there at times can be a delay. At times, moderation can take some hours to be actioned. The forums are not designed to an immediate source of support – if you feel you need immediate help, please call us on 1300 22 4636 or 000 if it is an emergency.
 
We can hear there’s mixed views on the idea of adding a private messaging function. It’s been suggested before but, as a few community members have suggested, it would be really difficult to achieve safely and doesn’t totally fit with our aims of having a public and anonymous space for these discussions.

Last but not least, we can confirm that swearing is not permitted on the forums as stated in the Community Guidelines.

We agree that all the suggestions here are incredibly useful, so thank you everyone for your amazing ideas and insights!

Kind regards,

Sophie M

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone and thankyou Sophie for your support

Lifeline are also a vital resource for immediate help.....13 11 14

Lifeline is an anonymous and confidential 24 hour 7 days a week crisis support line. People can call Lifeline to discuss all types of personal difficulties, including thoughts of suicide. Lifeline provides immediate support by phone, via online chat or face to face

Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is available 24 hours 7 days for callers who speak other languages. Call 131 450

Note: All calls from mobile phones are free. If you are a prepaid mobile user and do not have credit for your phone, you will still be connected to 13 11 14

Call Lifeline if you are experiencing a personal crisis and finding it difficult to cope If your life is in immediate danger, always call triple zero (000)

ref betterhealth.vic.gov.au

my kindest always

Paul

[geoff]

Hi Everyone, I agree with Paul, all these emergency phone numbers are free, even without any credit on your phone, so please don't hesitate phoning them 24/7.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

[demonblaster]

Hiyaz ☺

A lot of members aren't liking the phone number emails associated with Suicide mentions which is fair enough.

I wonder if at the top of each section or in a Red box labelled help numbers or similar could help with that.

Geoff Hi ☺ Good thought not to be getting the emails if Suicides spoken of in general terms as in the poster isn't talking about it for themselves to attempt.

Cyaz ☺