A question for our new members (and regulars too 😊).

[Quercus]

Hi everyone,

I've been thinking lately about inclusion on the forums and wondering...

What it is like to be a newbie on the forums?

Anyone feel like answering?

In the offline world we all deal with cliques. And feeling like we don't fit in or belong sometimes.

When I joined the forums I remember seeing members with thousands of posts and people greeting eachother like old friends.

I wanted so badly to feel like part of this community. I know I'm not alone... Sometimes I see a thread where someone is disheartened by a lack of response.

My question (sorry for the waffling) ...

What helped you to feel welcome here?

Here is my list (yep quite keen on lists)

• For newbies start your own thread in welcome/orientation. If you post your story in a social thread or someone else's thread you'll get lost in the system.
• On that note... Try not to make multiple threads on the same topic. If you are finding you need support speak up in the social threads or in a thread you contribute to a bit... Give the title of your thread and ask if someone will come have a chat.
• Read the rules and the posts in the welcome orientation section. Seems obvious but I don't think everyone does... And there is a lot of useful stuff in there!
• Remember the forums are not immediate. If you need immediate help there are the support numbers. Everyone on here is just like you (voluntarily contributing and dealing with a mental illness) so if you flood the forums with posts getting angry or upset about a delay in response or a post held up in moderation people tend to get overwhelmed and upset too. The helplines are there for a reason please use them 😊.
• Take the time to respond. There is nothing worse that writing a reply and then the new user never comes back online. There isn't a notification system. You've got to log on and check. Please do.
• Write to others. You don't have to know what to say. Or have advice. Sometimes it is just nice to have someone aknowledge you or to know someone is listening.

Enough waffling from me.... What does everyone else think?

Nat

[demonblaster]

Good on you Salv & welcome. Hey and thx Q 🙂

Here's a great place & the more you sift through threads or if you want to start one you'll find so many in same situation or similar.

Always a bit daunting being new isn't it, such an awesome but whopping big site, great thing so much learning here.

Q... Not sure if I said earlier, one of my thoughts as a newbie was I wonder if anyone will answer, yeah I have said that & a few did, you beautiful good people, community champs and Blue voices and of course others too, I can't stop raving about here to people. Thanks so much guys, everyone involved (Behind scenes, big hard job & you all do it so well)

How are you finding it here Salv so far
Tc (take care) everyone 🙂

[Quercus]

Hi Salvation and a warm welcome 😊

Awesome that you've taken the step to speak up and connect to others. And even better to hear you're actively helping yourself (therapist/GP).

There are a lot of people here who will relate to lack of sleep! If you search the forums (the little magnifying glass icon at the top) you'll find threads that may interest you to join in the discussion.

Most new members start off with creating their own thread in welcome/orientation so that they have a "home base" where people can write to them or seek them out to continue a conversation that started on another thread.

This is optional though. There are plenty of members who choose not to and that's ok too. Glad to have you here Salvation.

An easy way to get to know some of the people on here is to check out the social threads and say hello. Hope to see you about soon 😊

Nat

[Quercus]

Hehe DB you never fail to make me smile.

Yeah the worst part I found about being a newbie was not knowing the 'informal rules'.

Like how each thread is unique depending on the person who created it. Some people like the thread to stay "on topic", others are happy to let the conversation move as it will.

Some threads you'll get an individual reply and welcome. Others not so much. It does feel confusing... Where can I write? There is an element of trial and error and patience.

So here are some things that helped me...

• If you want to discuss something in more depth on a thread but it will completely change the topic it helps to give your thread title and ask if you can continue the discussion there.
• Social threads are social. Sounds obvious but mentioning things like SH (self harm) etc on social threads will usually get moderated. People go to the social threads to escape. Again giving a thread title and saying can we talk about this there is a great thing to do.
• If you're not sure... Ask 😊

What about you DB can you think of anything like that?

[meercat]

Hi Quercus.

I need to apologise as i notice you have a Newbie thread here. I posted a newbie thread note thanking all for their caring help and warm welcomes and could not find the right forum to post it in. still learning.

Iv already been corrected in one post ..when i first joined a few days ago i could hardly see and did not see the rules!

Cheers meercat

[demonblaster]

Heyaz, haha like that I give you a smile Q :D, I'd started so thought bugga it keep goin lol

Yeah that's good putting that info up, I just jumped straight in originally when I came here to grieving section, hadn't seen the orientation thread that I would have but mind you head wasn't in a good place but when I came back here it was a while before I read rules ooops 😄 was getting the odd ooops email but all good, behaving a bit more now, completely understand reasons, have bummed around on other forums too & knew the basics so thought... or didn't ....good ole impulse

Thx Q have a good day all

[Quercus]

Hi Meercat 😊

Not a worry at all! That sounds like a lovely thread in it's own right (everybody likes to know they're appreciated).

I'm glad you found your way here. The forums do take practice to work around.

Being corrected as a newbie feels horrible I have to admit. I've taken a deep breath at times and reminded myself it's not that people don't like me it's just keeping to the rules. But when we feel low in ourselves to begin with it is easy to read things into a comment that weren't intended.

How are you finding your way now? Are there any things that bother you or questions you have? Lovely to meet you.

Nat

[startingnew]

hello everyone

can someone point me in the direction of a thread where i can ask for help for another member im struggling to help on my own?

[Quercus]

Hi SN,

This question has come up often (Dory and myself have asked the same). There are a few options...

• Obvious one first...If you are worried about the members safety or think the thread needs help that we on the forums won't be able to give... report the post.
• If it's a matter of knowing the person needs a bit of TLC you could do a "shout out" on the circle. I always feel awkward doing this (don't want to embarrass anyone or pressure anyone to reply).
• You could encourage the member to reach out to others (if you know another member who is struggling through similar issues it you can give the thread details). Sometimes it helps to relate to someone's story (and they might reach out on the thread and get to meet more people).
• Or... Ask for support quietly. My thread for example. Pop a message in there 😊

You've got such a kind heart SN.

[startingnew]

Hi Quercus

they arent in danger but i havent got the experience that person needs. it started off asking fro coping strategies but now its involving workcover and getting back into work with mh issues and i ahvent got a clue how to help in that area. i cant really think of anyone in that situation either. i gave a shout out on bb cafe but no responses.

i would really like him to beneift from the community as i have but its only me supporting and it out of myleauge but i dont want to abaondon him either

can i give i shout out on here? maybe paul or tony or mark might be able to help. they are the ones that come to mind but i dont want to pressure anyone else either

[Quercus]

No worries SN 😊 here is fine.

Hopefully between all of us on the forums there will be others who have experience with workcover.