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_4643]

I mentioned it above but can we please have the following?:

- Emojis (not offensive ones like the middle finger or anything, just hearts, smileys, stuff like that). I know we can use them if we use Apple devices on here though (such as iPads because I've done it on mine and they've come up when the post has been approved).

- Somewhere where we can put GIFs and photos in comments (as long as they're approved by mods/admins), so things like a GIF of hugging, a picture of a Sunset someone took, something like that?

Tayla

[Sophie_M]

😊 Hi Tayla 😁

You can copy and paste emojis from various websites (such as but without any particular Beyond Blue endorsement - getemoji.com).

As for GIFs, we've noted your suggestion. Thanks!

[Guest_4643]

Thanks Sophie!

Tayla

[eight]

im realising this is a pretty stupid question because which site would say yes to this if they didn't want to kamikaze their pr, but does this place do shadowbans

[Sophie_M]

Hey eight,

Thanks for your question. We don't have the ability to partially block members content. If you can see your post on the forum then other members can too! 😊

[Guest_4643]

Are you OK, eight? Just checking.

Tayla

[Matchy69]

Hi sophie what would be a good idea is to be able to edit a post you make on a thread.I have a terrible habit of leaving words out and my post dosn't make sense and it annoys me when I spell words wrong as well.I do it all the time on Facebook and I just edit it to fix up my mistakes.

[Sophie_M]

We appreciate the suggestion and already have it on our wish list. Thanks Matchy69!

[Matchy69]

Hi would like to know why i am seeing profile pitcures of actual people on the threads.I thought that wasnt allowed.

[blondguy]

Hey Mark

Members used to be able to post their own pic as their profile picture a while ago....back in 2017...Do you want to have your photo as your profile picture? I used to have mine as my profile pic for a long time

Great to have your assistance on the forums Mark 🙂

Paul