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]

Hello everyone and welcome to all new members!

I'm a bit disappointed at my crash in mood and energy after seeing all the new threads waiting for a reply which I am not up to today.

To any new members reading please know we all do care and want you to feel welcome here.

You don't have to wait for anyone to reply to you or invite you anywhere... Just pick a thread (ones in the staying well or social zone sections are an easy way to begin) and join in the conversation.

If you enter a long thread and feel awkward about whether you are welcome but feel you really want to join the conversation... just say hello and ask the thread creator if it's ok if you join in 😊. I do that all the time with varying success. Sometimes you'll 'click' with people sometimes not. But the forums at heart are an inclusive and safe place.

My question today....

(hehe Quirkywords I'm stealing your line my friend)

For the shy amongst us who don't feel comfortable "just jumping in"...

What can we do to help you feel safe enough and welcome enough to join in?

Thank you to everyone for being patient with me. I won't be reliably online for the next few weeks. I need to take care of myself.

❤ Nat

[Flick_SnotGrass]

[Hey Nat, sorry you're not feeling up to snuff. Anything I can do for you?hugz,F]

[krystalramone]

Hi Cloud

I am new too, I just joined today and feel the same 🙂

[Quercus]

Hi Krystalramone and welcome.

Cloud's post seems to have resonated with a lot of people...

I'm a newbie. And i feel I'm walking into the unknown.

Too true. Unknown isn't always scary though. The forums are relaxed and safe (there are rules of course but they're in place to keep things safe).

I always wonder if others have a thread they've made. If you do and you'd like you're most welcome to give the title here. What brings you to the forums? Just asking to see if I can point you to some threads you might like.

It's lovely to meet you.

Nat

PS same goes to all new members... Feel free to drop in and say hello. Let us know what you need from the forums. Maybe we can help.

[Flick_SnotGrass]

NAT YOU'RE BACK!!!

So happy this made my day.

I was missing you and wondered how well you were feeling.

I'm putting the kettle on...want a cuppa?...I'll be mother...

Hugz,

Flick

[UsedToBeAnOptimist]

Hey, I'm really new to this - by this I mean mental health issues and also forums! Feeling a bit like a fish out of water but would love some people to chat to 😊

[Quercus]

Hehe,

Hi Flick! Thank you for your messages they both made me smile. I'm still around just taking it slowly. Am a bit overwhelmed at the moment. Have you popped into the BB cafe yet? It seems a bit quiet maybe everyone needs your awesome style of positivity! Got a new tip of the day in the works? Your thread is a blessing it always cheers me up.

Hi UsedToBeAnOptimist,

Welcome to the forums! It's always lovely to have new members (even if I'm sorry that it means you're having to manage a MI). I'll have to search for your thread (have you made one?) and say hello.

What made you decide to join the forums? I always wonder what others aim to find here. The thread I mentioned to Flick above (the BB cafe) is a good place to chat if you want to escape from thinking about MI for a while. Have you checked out the social category? If you find a thread that interests you just join in ok 😊. I also like the staying well section. There are so many positive threads in there.

I hope the fish out of water feeling passes soon. We're pretty relaxed here please feel free to just throw your 5 cents in wherever you like 😊.

❤ Nat

[Flick_SnotGrass]

Nat,

You rote: "Hi Flick! Thank you for your messages they both made me smile...." good, that is my Evil Plan For Whirld Domination...getting "EveryFun Laffing" as Herr Flick [no relation] says on "'allo 'allo"

"I'm still around just taking it slowly. Am a bit overwhelmed at the moment." Yup I get it ~ the Old 90 picograms of Polypeptide rollercoaster saga....thyme to crack out either the Ying Tong Song...I'm Walking BACKWARDS FOR CHRISTMAS or something else in that vein [I knw Spike Milligan btw]

"Have you popped into the BB cafe yet?" No not yet.

"It seems a bit quiet maybe everyone needs your awesome style of positivity!" Yes, probably.

"Got a new tip of the day in the works?" Yes, it's in the works, did you see my 'You Are Not Wearing a Theory" tip? It's around here somewhere...

"Your thread is a blessing it always cheers me up." Good. That's the plan...sod misery.

Ah, the kettle's boiling...must fly...ttfn,

Flick S

[Quercus]

Hi Flick,

OH I haven't thought of allo allo in years. My Mum and Dad adored it when I was little.

[White_Rose]

Hello Flick

I see we have a Goons fan in our midst. Apparently a friend of mine (from the days of our youth) woke up from an anaesthetic singing I'm Walking Backwards to Christmas. Thought Spike Milligan great. I was given a cook book with recipes from celebrities. Spike's contribution was "Take two fried eggs and chips and eat slowly."

Can't say better than that.

Mary