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

[loouuiiee]

your welcome 🙂

[blondguy]

Hi loouuiiee 🙂

What a heartfelt and super kind post you wrote! (and a great avatar too!....Love it)

My kindest thoughts for you

Paul

[Quercus]

Hi Loouuiiee 😊

I love this...

Even if they don't understand the situation or the emotion they are still genuine and honest in their responses

Completely agree! That's part of what kept me here too. This is one of the few places where all the masks we wear for the world can drop away and we can be honest. The joy of an honest reply and realising you're not alone is a wonderful feeling I agree.Thank you for sharing that.

Nat

[monkey_magic]

I have a qtn for anyone who knows the answer. I've noticed some titles changed from community champion to champion alumni...?? What does this mean? And the bus symble changed to yellow?

[Guest_341]

Hi😊

I'm Julie and I'm a newbie. I've posted a few times and received many responses all up...I was very close to leaving the forum but not because of anyone here but because I felt that posting my issues would burden others who are going through the same as me...I'm very self conscious and don't like to trouble others and I get quite anxious about that even after reassurance. The reason I stayed was due to a few different posters encouraging words but the one that sticks out to me is a reply by Paul (Blond guy). He really had this way of making me feel like I was valued and mattered and that I had made him smile and happy😊

I felt there and then that I was meaningful and wanted and necessary to the forums and to this world so thank you Paul from the bottom of my heart❤

I look forward to contributing more in the forums and supporting others😊😊

[Quercus]

Hi monkey_magic (much better than Guest 😊🐒),

I'm pretty sure the champion alumni badge is for someone who has resigned from being an active CC for now. But I've been a CC for all of 20 seconds so anyone else please feel free to chime in.

Hmmm that makes me wonder if there is a thread explaining what all the badges mean... I'll have to search. I found that confusing as a newbie. Thanks mm for asking that question!

[Quercus]

Hi Julie and welcome!

You make a good point about feeling self concious. That's part of the reason I wanted to begin this thread... We are all very different people. While some feel confident and comfortable just joining in others need a bit of a hand to feel welcome. And that is ok too.

I agree Paul is awesome (hi Paul we've all got the pom poms out for the cheer squad). He's got a very gentle way of making others feel valued. I feel the same about White Rose (Mary) who was one of the first people to welcome me to the forums. I sometimes wonder if the first impression makes or breaks someone's willingness to keep talking and reaching out for help What does everyone think?

Good on you for wanting to reach out to others too. I'm glad you've kept trying 😊

PS fellow Bryan Adams fan here my favourite song is Star. What is yours?

[Quercus]

Well now I know 😊

If you want to know what any of the symbols mean click on it (or in the thread I found they said to hover your mouse over it) and an explanation comes up.

Did you ever notice the little crown symbol Geoff has? It is recognition of more than 3 years of continuous volunteer peer support! Wow Geoff! Now the cheer squad pom poms are out for you too!

Thank you monkey_magic for teaching me something new and awesome! 🐒😊🐒

[Just Sara]

Most people remember their first responders; mine was Paul. (another Paul, not Blondguy) My first post was on a day when I'd had a break-through. Seeing as I love to write, I told it like a positive story.

That thread's still running! 2 yrs this month 😄

I'd been struggling for a yr or two and found the site out of loneliness and fear of being 'the only one'. Recently, I called BeyondBlue my 'home away from home'. And it surely is...

Like you Julie, Paul (Blondguy) made me feel special and cared about at a very low point in my recovery. His tireless attention to members makes him a legend!

BB forum's a place like no other because members are so honest, open, real, non-judgemental, supportive, caring, insightful and wise. (Just to mention a few complementary adjectives)

It's absolutely infectious!!!

Each newbie who perseveres will find not only others who understand from an experiential perspective, but can (and do) find themselves.

'We give support to get support'

I welcome all new members with open arms. It takes courage to post so well done! You'll become a BB warrior in no time! 🙂

You never know what's around the corner!

Warm and kind thoughts;

Sez xo (Unapologetically flawed and even proud of it!)

[savvii]

Hi BeyondBlue,

I've been a member since 2013 but I have never posted. Thanks for what you are doing here to give people like me a place to feel secure. That is a true gift.