Do you feel comfortable on the forum?

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

I've just been having a look at some of the posts on the forum and have once again been aware that some people make a thread, post once and then we don't seem to hear from them again.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, I am just wondering why that might be the case.

Do any of you have any suggestions?

Can you think of ways people may feel encouraged to continue posting?

o you personally feel welcome on the forum?

Connecting with others on this forum can be so rewarding in many different ways.

I also realise a lot of people just read and don't post and that is okay as well.

Are there ways we can make people feel more welcome here?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and ideas.

Cheers to you all from Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi PamelaR and All,

I do believe that people who connect on this forum do so out of care and concern and respect for other people.

Yes, there are times when some discussions can become heated, where there is misunderstanding and disagreement, this is not Xanadu or Utopia, after all, it is a forum used by all kinds of people, a lot who have mental health issues, people who may feel vulnerable at times and misunderstandings do happen.

I know there have been times when I have been misguided in my suggestions, when I have been wrong about assumptions and may have inadvertently hurt people as well.

I have not done these things on purpose! If I have hurt or upset someone, it has not been intentional. Mistakes happen.

If I or anyone else writes something that is not taken well, then hopefully everyone can realise it as a misunderstanding and move on.

I don't have a crystal ball. I only know what I know and can only suggest what comes to my mind. So if I make an error in judgement I am sorry, I can move on and try again.

That is why EVERYONE counts here. We all help to make up the community on this forum. If we write one word or millions like me! Ha. Ha.

So I'm sending out a huge WELL DONE to EVERYONE!

Cheers again from Dools

[Dniaiu]

I was going to give the 2 reasons I don't feel like posting anything, but then I realised that everyone else in this thread is some of "Champion", so I'm just quietly backing out & closing the door.

[Doolhof]

Hello Dniaiu,

I do so hope that you are still reading here.

This thread is not just for the Champions, it is for everyone who would like to make a comment.

Everyone is welcome to have their own opinion. There are no right or wrong answers, just your ideas and thoughts.

I do so hope that you and everyone feel welcome to leave a comment here, be it negative or positive!

I would like to hear your opinions on why you don't want to post anything. Please know you are more than welcome to make a comment here.

No one is going to be judged, I am just curious and want to know how I may be able to help people make the most of the forum and the community here. I have been assisted so generously here and just want to be able to reach out to others.

So cheers to you Dniaiu and to all, from Dools.

[Birdy77]

Hi Dniaiu,

I've posted here on this thread, and I'm not a Champion or a Valued Contributor anything.

I am just a regular, everyday member ... so feel free to join in, just like me 😊

🌻birdy

[Doolhof]

Dear Birdy,

Thank you for helping to make others feel welcome here. I don't want any one to feel excluded!

It breaks my heart to think some people don't feel able to or free to openly express themselves.

Feeling like you don't matter or don't belong is horrible! That is certainly not my intention at all.

[blondguy]

Hi Dools

I hope its okay if I can hijack your thread for moment

Dniaiu.....Thanks heaps for being on the forums and helping out of Dools thread too! The champion tag only means that means they post a lot and are here for you. I hope you can stick around and post with us. The Champions posts are no different to yours. There is no seniority here.....

Birdy...thankyou for being here and helping supporting everyone (and Dniaiu) as well as you do....hang in there please...:-)

Ruby 2.......thankyou for your heartfelt post on July 11. Your support is gold and appreciated x

Dools....this is seriously great thread and thankyou for letting me stick my beak in 😉

My kind thoughts always

Paul

[Doolhof]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your comments. I do hope everyone feels welcome anywhere on the forum.

Maybe some people feel a little intimidated, unsure of themselves or conflicted when they connect and post on the forum.

I felt that way at my last psychologist appointment and bolted out the door after 5 minutes and didn't return. I am unsure if I will return!

I felt uncomfortable, like I was not in control, like I didn't matter and didn't belong there. I also felt like I was not being validated, acknowledged or like my issues were not being listened to.

I wonder if that is how some people feel here! I know I have in the past, and I also realise it has been due to where I was at that day with my own mental health issues.

Hope you ALL feel comfortable enough to use the forums how it best suit you.

Cheers to each and everyone of you. From Dools

[Just Sara]

Hey Mrs D and all posting/reading;

Up until recently long term personal threads (by Champs and existing members) were included in the new posts section each time we posted. Now they're excluded so new members don't see we also have MH issues, problems and lack of confidence thru our daily lives.

My personal thread for instance was created in late 2015 and has been a Godsend for me recovering from my wounded mind. We were once newbies too; floundering to find our comfort zone. Those threads represent what this forum's about and what we, as members can achieve. Giving back is our way of passing on what we've learned; ya know?

I hope anyone reading this will realise that even though we're here everyday helping others, we have our own grief, pain and confusion to cope with. We've just learned how to give back despite our suffering.

It takes so much courage to reach out for the first time and ask for help. We want to make that experience as comfortable and valuable as we can because we remember what it's like.

To the many newbies who post for the first time on another new member's thread; I applaud you, your beautiful courage and wisdom born of pain.

To all new members; you're heard, acknowledged and validated as valuable and worthy - you deserve nothing less.

Warm thoughts; (seeing as it's -5 here atm)

Sez x

[Doolhof]

Hi Sez,

Thanks so much for sharing and relating your own experience to us all.

I remember when I joined the forum, I was such a mess I am surprised I made any sense at all. I still have many moments when I struggle big time.

I have prattled on plenty here, I will allow other people opportunity o chat and share their views.

Hope you manage to thaw out okay Sez, -5 is a little cool even for my likings!

Cheers All from Dools

[geoff]

Hi Sez, and everyone else, you have all made excellent points and I applaud all of you for still being on the site and secondly for responding back to those asking us for advice.

Picture yourself back a few years ago when you first registered on BB, how did you feel about the support you got and why you have remained on the site, isn't that's why we are on the forums, we received help, whether it's by one person or a dozen people, the point is that someone cares for us, isn't that the most important factor to helping us with mental health.

Each day is different than the day before or probably tomorrow, that's why we need help and stay on the forums.

Geoff.