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]

also unfortunatley the general comment that ads symptoms lessen and we adjust is not the case for many, the symptoms continue and it could be the wrong medication in that case. side effects from meds are serious. Some ADs have risk of increasing SI.

Some medications are also addictive and create dependency. Please remember to monitor and ask all the questions u can and not ignore unusual symptoms. all meidcations re serious - there are no weak ones, otherwise they'd be for sale at the supermarket, so its a decision to be taken seriously and with consultation with someone u trust, who is committed to helping u and monitoring any reactions.

[geoff]

Hello Sleepy, I understand what you're saying and yes, there are AD where the symptoms don't improve and certainly where unexpected reactions do happen that the doctor had not anticipated, such as reducing the libido and a pharmacist won't issue any SSRI or SNRI without a script, however, you can buy other types of tablets from a natural health product's shop that don't need any script.

AD's may be given at the beginning in very low dosages so they gradually see how they affect the person and then increased over time.

I remember my doctor giving me some painful painkillers after having surgery that were addictive and after a while, he wouldn't give them to me anymore because he didn't want me to become 'hooked' onto them, but understand there are different circumstances in each case where it may be the only option, but it's controlled by your doctor.

There is definitely the possibility that the AD you're taking can eventually have no more effect on the person and the reasons are plentiful, that you need to discuss with your doctor, who may then decide to put you on another one.

We can't necessarily expect the one AD to last from when we start until we become old, our life changes in so many ways.

Hope that helps Sleepy.

Geoff.

[Guest9337]

bb would improve if it didn't have software that sent out "no reply" emails.

no reply emails are straight up rude imo.

All the arguments for "no reply" emails are issues for solving, not reasons to keep being rude.

we/bb has sections for lgbti people, and young people - that's great news. I don't see any areas specifically aimed/for men or older people. Maybe bb would benefit from that.

[Guest_1643]

Hi Geoff, I'm not a doctor but no one on this forum is so im confusd about these comments. We as lay ppl don't understand them and the risks, and many ppl have had issues taking them or had them forcibly given, or taken them wthout consent, and they have caused problems. i was writing here to ask about ads not being encouragd or suggested on the forums. it is my opinion that ppl should rather just talk about their own experience with them rather than encourage anyone to take, stop, or request ADs froma doctor..

[Guest9337]

Hi Sleepy21. I like your discussion and am a +1 for confused about the permissions around posting medication.

Only doctors should prescribe medications. +1, for that.

People taking mental health medications should be careful about sharing what they're taking. +1 for that.

Being denied permission to discuss specific personal responses about specific medicines here on bb. -1 for that. I want the option to name the meds I'm on and what I'm experiencing.

Regardless of those above, I am somewhat ambivalent about the issue. Do I want to name my meds? Not particularly. Do I think someone else might benefit from my descriptions about specific meds? Maybe - don't know.

[Guest_1643]

hi david and goliath i agree with u , i think ppl shoudl be able to name meds freely, but i get the impression there are some reasons for this rule. I'm also confusd because i've seen ppl literally saying the meds they take without the name "eg an antipsychotic starting with XYZ" or a "SSRi starting with C and Ending with M" to the point that its' very very obvious what theyre talking about - to me this is identical to naming it for all ethical purposes, although i understand that maybe reading the actual name can be triggering for some ppl, i didn't know that was the reason though that they were banned.

i think in terms of talking about ur xperience with a medication u should be able to say nearly everything u want without being graphic, but i dont think anyone should be able to tell others to take them. It's such a personal thing.

[Guest_1643]

hi david and goliath there has been some talk about having an over 65 section, and i believe there are some lovely threads for older ppl but i dont know if they are active....

[Matchy69]

The discussion on whether to be able to name medications is interesting .You need this medication prescribed by a doctor and have a discussion whether a particular medication would be suitable and what the side effects could possible be and if it will be compatible with other meds you are on.For example a medication my son is on was mentioned to me by a neighbour who's son has similar diagnoses to my son.I went to the specialist and asked her if it was suitable and she said it would be worth a try as nothing else had worked.We put him on it and it has been the best medication he has been on that worked.

I think it's ok to discuss names of medication what the side effects people have experienced and benefits they have had from them.Its ultimately up to a professional to say if it is suitable for you to try.

[Matchy69]

Hi david'n'goliath I thought their was threads on here for us more mature people.Maby Sophie can let us know.

[Guest9337]

I request a 50,000 character limit, roughly 10,000 words.

Those who want to read all that have opportunity to, others can choose to read partly or not at all, like current.

Those who have a lot to say, get the room to do so, whilst shorter posts remain an option.

Other than limitations of the website I.T. system there is no need to limit posts' character count.