Forum housekeeping - threads with 100+ posts

[Chris_B]

Hi everyone,

Regulars may have noticed that some of our long-running threads from different sections have been moved today to the BB Social Zone. We've been reviewing threads over the last few weeks and have noticed that threads that go past 100 posts have usually drifted away from the original topic and have become more about checking in on a daily basis on any number of aspects to do with wellbeing, as well as the social interaction that has become such a great part of our community here. In some of these threads, the journey is quite incredible, where a person has started out feeling suicidal and has moved to a place where they've recognised how well they're coping and are putting those skills into practice every day.

Although the BB Social Zone is billed as a place for discussing topics other than mental health, anxiety and depression seeps into every aspect of our daily lives and it's not realistic for those of us using the forums regularly to put up walls and make compartments for what's going on.

So from now on, we'll be reviewing threads that go past 100 posts and seeing whether they are suitable for moving to the Social Zone, in order to keep our subject sections focused on specific topics where members are looking for a resolution or support in moving forward in the short term.

Hope this makes sense.

[Guest_5218]

Tony - Regarding longer posts, I agree with you completely. People need to know they are being heard and understood, and that somebody has taken the time and effort to post a personalised and considered response to their issues. This is one of the things that I appreciated when I first came here.

Provided Chris B feels that the current character count adequately allows for this, then I am happy to accept that his research on this is correct. Just keep in mind that responses with repetitive slogans, one-size-fits-all or an assembly-line feel to them is not what people are looking for when they take the scary step of posting here for the first time.

Tony, thankyou for making me laugh today when I logged on for the first time in 3 days. I really needed that. I found it highly amusing that you would say that I would be great to chat about marriage from a females viewpoint! This could not be further from the truth in fact. I have no experience whatsoever of domestic bliss or happy families. If you'd said I could comment or support people with issues such as PTSD, sexual assault, trauma therapies, domestic abuse, general anxiety or dealing with chronic pain then I would agree with you. Because at least I have personal experience with all of those issues. On the domestic front, I am a total failure, and should be the last person advising on the matter. Perhaps Tony you would be far better suited to comment on that, since you appear now to have a lovely understanding wife and a beautiful little dog Miss Rosie. (-:

Chris B - I just have a quick question regarding the recently recategorised threads that you have moved to the new Long Term Support section.

The topic of these threads used to be easily identified by being within the relevant section (Ie PTSD and Trauma, Physical Health, Suicidal Thoughts, etc). But since they have been transferred it can be hard to determine what section they now belong to, other than long term support. When shifting threads to the new category upon reaching 100+ posts, would it be possible to notify the person to ask if they would like to rename their thread? For example I could rename my existing thread of "Coping with the Anniversary of a Traumatic event" to something like "The Daily Struggle of Living with PTSD". Just a thought - if you are going to have this new section, the threads in it should be identifiable for what they are.

Regards,

Sherie xx

[Chris_B]

Hi Sherie, thanks for that, I'll change the title of your thread. We do encourage people in all of the sections to try and give people a good idea of what their thread is about in the title, and we often retitle threads that have been given vague titles to ensure that they're more likely to get responses.

Members are always welcome to let us know if they'd like to retitle their threads, especially if the thread is a longer-term one and there's now a better way of reflecting the whole conversation.

[Lost_Girl]

Hi Chris,

Can you please rename "Chronic pain treated ONLY with antidepressants - did it work for you?" to "Chronic tension headache diagnosis and long term management"

Thanks,

Carol

[Emmy.]

Wouldn't know what to call mine. Any suggestions

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Chris, I like the name of my thread because it highlights both my struggles and my ability to laugh at them, but I'd like to add a bit to it, to clear up what it's about, for new members. Perhaps "Blue's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day (life viewed through the lens of depression)". I can amend it if that's too long, though I'd rather not if I can get away with it. Thanks.

Sorry Emmy, not sure what to suggest for yours. You don't need to change it if you don't want to, but if you do, I guess think about your goals and main concerns regarding what you put into and want to get out of your thread.

Blue.

[Chris_B]

Hi Blue, I changed it and the system didn't freak out so good news! Carol yours is changed as well. Emmy, you don't have to make any changes if you don't want to. Personally, I think both your threads highlight the themes pretty well - one is about your fears and struggles with suicidal feelings, and the other is about your desire to try and push forward.

[Clues_Of_Blue]

Thanks Chris. 🙂

[Emmy.]

Could you please add this to the end of my titles if they are ok?

I feel the world would be better without me (struggling with suicidal thought)

I want to make it through the storm (challenging my anxiety and depression)

[Lost_Girl]

Thanks Chris. Thanks also for the laugh about the system not freaking out 🙂

[CMF]

Hi,

Just found this thread and was not aware of the changes. Can I change the name of a thread? I have 'accused of infidelity' and would prefer "maintaining civil relationships after being badly hurt". This is more what my struggle is now about.

Thanks

cmf