Best response when a new user posts in an existing thread and needs support?

[Quercus]

Hi all,

I've noticed a few new users lately posting in existing threads (which is absolutely fine in my mind for most things).

But when you need support and help urgently (for example when you're in a really bad place) your post can get lost and not get a reply for days. And in the meantime it's pretty horrible thinking noone is responding to you.

I'm in this position currently having noticed a post that needs support that I'm not able to give properly at this time.

I need help to get this person help. What is the right thing to do in this situation? Report the post? I have asked the person to create a new thread here but my post went to moderation.

If you're able to help can you please search for:

username: givemehope

Can we maybe keep a thread on BB for asking for help if a user is at risk and needs a response as soon as possible?

[SubduedBlues]

Hi Quercus

My approach is to welcome the newbie to BB, endeavour to establish a connection and ask them to create a new thread so that we can address their specific questions/concerns/needs.

SB

ps: as just done on HS's thread

[Quercus]

Hi SB,

I noticed your reply. I feel very relieved. Thank you for replying so quickly. I freaked out when I tried to write something similar and it went straight to moderation. Hate to think someone is so distressed and doesn't think anyone cares enough to respond. Thank you.

[white knight]

Hi Quercus

SB is correct. Bb has developed a large group of community champions to answer all new threads by members. Sometimes one will slip through the net and not get answered quickly. The internet program we have here has its odd negative like all others.

Members, if in emergency need can ring the bb phone number or lifeline. We aren't medical professionals nor trained to deal with such responses. We are individuals that try to comfort and identify with members situations having been there ourselves.

Hope this helps

Tony WK

[Quercus]

Hi Tony,

Thanks for your reply. That makes sense and I'm thankful that the Community Champs (you included) do such a great job. Must be a bit overwhelming sometimes though (suppose that's why there are so many champions 😊).

Is there a thread or place where we can point out someone we feel might have been missed (and aren't in a place to be able to help ourselves) or is it just a matter of a quiet word on a champions thread?

Thanks again.

[white knight]

Hi,

The forum is managed by a manager during working hours. After hours there are moderators.

As I said the forum isnt an emergency facility. Members can access emergency numbers.

The work we do isnt that overwhelming. Having our own issues as well means our voluntary work must be restricted to within our comfort levels.

Tony WK

[white knight]

By the way, if you report a post it will be handled by a moderator.

Tony WK

[Chris_B]

Hi Quercus,

Thanks for raising this.  One of the many great things about the community here has always been the concern that our members show for one another, complete strangers connected only by the words we post here to each other.

As the community champions have suggested, the best approach if you see a new member posting in someone else's thread is (1) gently suggest they start a new thread if their post isn't relevant to the discussion and/or (2) report the post to let moderators know if there's anything in the post that concerns you regarding their safety.  

There is no guaranteed timeframe for a response here on the forums, and if you're posting here in a high level of distress expecting quick responses then you are setting yourself up for disappointment.  We try to emphasise in as many places as we can that this isn't the best place to be coming to if you need support straightaway.  Our support service is staffed by professional counsellors, and is available 24/7 via phone for that - 1300 22 4636.

Ideally, everyone would get a response ASAP when posting, but realistically that is not going to happen for a number of reasons.  Sometimes the forums will be quieter, sometimes the post will not resonate with the members reading it, sometimes the post will be in an old thread or have a vague title that doesn't explain what the post is about.  
We provide a number of guide threads here in the Welcome section that explain to new members how they can best get involved in the community - you can also point people to these if they appear confused about how things work:

Newbies guide: 5 tips for getting the most out of the forums

Forums etiquette: give support to receive support

Welcome! A post about how our forums are moderated 

We all understand how anxious members can be when first arriving here looking for support, we've all experienced those feelings ourselves.  If you've been here for a while, you can help us out when welcoming new members by setting some realistic expectations around the kind of support they can get from an internet forum, and when they might need to consider some of the more immediate, professional options available.

[Quercus]

Thankyou Chris. Your reply as well as the replies from Tony and SB have reassured me.

[Guest_128]

Hey all,

Iam not putting myself down ,I am not as good as most with remembering,writing, using the right words.

There may already be this thread,

Ask questions for anyone to help on BB ,how to use,ie

can I do this,how do I find,is this offensive,

eg how to find posts from one member?etc

Later

(hate this name)