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

[Quercus]

Hi Miss Manson and thank you 😊

Yes yes yes about overwhelming and not knowing where to start!

Did you know there is a thread on here that is called "this forum is making me depressed" where another member expressed similar.

The key is do what works for you. If threads make you feel yuck move on. None of us are here to save the world. Just to try feel ok. So go with your gut 😊.

I have had to admit so many times I'm sorry I can't read your thread. And that is ok.

What makes you feel good on the forums? I like to do keyword searches and find interesting threads. Or reply to threads that are close to my heart which helps me too in many ways.

You will find threads which suit you MM just keep trying. By the way your avatar reminds me of a funny story... I'll find your thread and tell you. Welcome 😊

[Quercus]

Hi again MsP and DB 😊

Maybe we should add that to the list of things to improve so it gets looked into? I'm sure that thread has a giant pin to keep it at the top of the list but do you think I can ever remember which section it's in? Nope.

What do you think? Is it bad enough to complain about or tolerable? So many people use mobiles it makes sense to have a platform that is phone friendly.

Ah well I'm off to tell Miss Manson a story... Always a pleasure to see you both.

PS shout out to Savvii you've been quiet... You doing ok?

[Croix]

Dear Quercus and All~

One of the things many people say when they first come to this forum is that it is huge, busy and confusing. That can be pretty daunting. I found the same thing when I joined, and that was a fair while ago.

I guess one way to view it is like looking at a huge map of Melbourne or some other big city. It is a complex maze of streets that go on seemingly for ever. There's no way anyone can deal with all that.

If you have a simple task, say get from Swanston St station to the Museum, then you find that particular bit of navigation is pretty easy - and it is really all you have to know, the rest is at the time irrelevant.

Making you own thread and talking there is a bit like that.

As time goes on and you want to do other things then more equally easy routs/threads are discovered. In time you get familiar with areas and so it goes on. There is really no pressure to do other than the very basics, more comes naturally later if you want.

As for phones - don't get me started:)

Croix

[Guest_1584]

Weird how you can't om here or see profiles.

So if there's someone you'd like to know or talk too or find their threads, l don't think you can, or am l missing something.

l get that some people need to feel the security in knowing they can be private but there's usually settings in a profile for privacy anyway in most forums.

[Guest_1584]

Ahh , that was meant to say " PM "

[Croix]

Dear Randomx~

The only way I know to find someone's thread is to Google as in

Croix beyondblue forum

which will find several instances of my posts. If you then use the Google tools menu to narrow down the time you can get some of what you need

HTH

Croix

[blondguy]

Hi Nat

You have a crackerjack discussion happening here and Kudos to you Nat!

I just wanted to say that you have provided a place for new and existing posters to post and good on you!

Whether its a New poster as I was, or a Community Champion our posts are all the same where input is concerned. There is no difference

If we didnt have new posters the Beyond Blue Forums wouldnt exist....so thanks Nat for the opportunity for people to post their questions on your welcoming thread 🙂

My Kindest

Paul

[Quercus]

Hi Paul,

Thanks I appreciate that! It's good to see you about the forums a little more (hope that means you're feeling a bit better).

❤ Nat

P.S.

To anyone not familiar Paul started the "do you love yourself" and "mindfulness" threads you'll find in the staying well section.

For anyone new these threads are an easy and welcoming place to start. Paul regularly brings the thread back "on track" so pre-reading is not needed 😊.

Feel free to just join in the discussion.

[Quercus]

Hi Croix and Randomx,

I saw your posts while I was away but no coverage to reply arrgh. Such interesting topics actually!

Topic one... Searching for threads

I don't use google. At the top of the screen (I use my mobile) there is the blue bar with a little magnifying glass. If you click next to it and type a name or a keyword it searches the forum.

It's a bit awkward eg when I wanted to reply to Miss Manson I just wrote "manson" so I didn't end up with all threads with the word "miss".

It's trial and error but I like it because it also brings up publications from the BB website. So if you find a topic interesting for example PTSD you'll get not only threads but also information from BB.

I'm sure there is ways to refine the search but just the simple search works well for me most times.

Topic two... Private messaging

Randomx how facinating how different we are! When you mentioned the option of a profile or private messages theidea of that freaked me out. That the forums were unlike social media was one of the things that appeals to me personally.

I think if PM was an option I would feel uncomfortable being a CChamp. One of the rules of the forums is to try not to put pressure on others to respond. The moderators do an amazing behind the scene job to screen posts that "demand" help because that is unfair on other users and puts people at risk.

Imagine if you got a private message from someone in crisis. The pressure on you would be enormous. And remember everyone here has a MI. So to me a private message like this would trigger me. I would feel helpless.

I like that posts are open to all for three reasons.

1. Exposure. Only a small amount of people ever post. So many read quietly. If posts were private there would be important lessons people would not be able to share.

2. Inclusion. You know when you click on a long thread and feel out of it because you don't know the story and it is too long to read at once? And members reply and know what's happening and you don't so you feel unwelcome? I think private messages would make that worse. Conversations you cannot follow.

3. Safety of all users. No pressure to reply. We all have access. We can all reply. No one person is responsible. Mary (White Rose) told me once we all pick up eachothers slack. No pressure. No obligation. We do as much as we can to help others within our own limits. I worry that PMs will increase member's mental burn out.

What does everyone else think?

[demonblaster]

Hey Q & all 🙂

Good reasons Q esp that it could put a lot of pressure on peeps to reply on PM's

I thought too PM's (Private messages) could be good but then not cause they wouldn't be moderated I"m guessing and not that I've seen it here but some people could get a bit stroppy with others privately that no one needs.