How can we improve the forums? Your suggestions and comments please

[Chris_B]

Hi all, this thread is a running commentary for all members on things for improvements to the forums. This can be anything from how it looks, the categories, to moderation, community rules etc.

While we might not be able to implement everything straightaway, or keep everyone happy all of the time, we'd like to hear about what you think we can do better.

This is not a thread for discussing the moderation or editing of individual posts - if you have questions about this please contact the team offline via email modsupport@beyondblue.org.au

To avoid repeating suggestions already received, below are some results from our last user survey giving an indication of which new features people would like to see on the forums. This survey was answered by 1,597 users:

44% - Email notification when I have a reply on the forum
39% - Access to the forums via an app
27% - Ability to block seeing posts by specific users
25% - Ability to contact users privately
25% - Ability to use emoticons
25% - Ability to follow posts by specific users
24% - Ability to share links
23% - Forum posts visible only to registered users
22% - A profile, viewable by others users, where I can introduce myself
21% - Ability to quickly access all posts by a particular user
15% - Ability to tag users in a conversation
10% - Ability to share images
6% - Ability to share videos
17% - None of these

Update July 2022 - This discussion has now been closed. Please go to the updated version below to share feedback and follow our updates:

How can we improve the Forums?

[Guest_1643]

also... there is somewhere deep in the rules a guideline about not talking about users "behind their back" on here

so if someone says a comment on a thread and u think it's stupid, then to go back on ur thread and say (in a way that is clear which user it is talking about, or even naming them) - oh my gosh, someone said something so stupid to me on another thread....

totally against the style here, and although we feel sometimes like we're in a private space, all users can see all threads, so they could very likely be reading along and get upset. This space is for all of us to feel wanted, included and part of something. So there's no real private areas to vent about other users. I've seen this quite often happen here and it is upsetting.

[Learn to Fly]

Hi LJpd81,

The search “button” (a small magnifying glass) is located on the very top of the page, on the right hand side, just underneath the BB 1300 number.

Hope this helps.

[golden82]

wow that is appalling Sleepy - I had no idea, only stick to a few threads - thanks for writing/pointing it out here - i hope the moderators take note of this. I think that should be the number one 'no-no' to look out for and be moderated. That sort of stuff hurts. I have had heaps of posts moderated for much lesser stuff than that. I think priority needs to be given to that which you have mentioned.

[blondguy]

Hi Amberlite

If memory serves we have spoke before and good on you for speaking your mind. Matchy (Mark) is like myself and maybe other members too with just wanting a safe place to post without being challenged

You mentioned 'Challenging our sick thinking is our only hope and I would like to see a lot more of it' I havent read the term 'sick thinking' before..Just for myself I found that harsh...and Matchy obviously did too

The forums dont exist for us to challenged at all.....That is up to our specialist and/or a GP with a strong mental health focus and ourselves to commit to frequent ongoing appointments where we can be challenged

The Beyond Blue Moderators do great work in keeping this National forum a safe place to be

my kind thoughts...Paul

[Guest9337]

Hi again Everyone!

Is there a distinction about what can be posted in one's own thread, and what can be posted in another persons thread?

Like if I'm wanting to write a poem I'd find it impolite to post it anywhere else but my own anti-movement or the Poem thread, and thus wouldn't likely post it into a rookie bb thread.

[Guest_1643]

i dont mind tobe challenged, with love, from ppl i've spoken to a little bit on here.

but harshly doing so is a recipe for disaster imo.

It's good though to speak your mind and be truthful, from love, but that is a fine line.
I don't know the specific situations, but we can't teach or force anyone to be our own idea of "well" - i wish it were that simple, bt it doesn't work. That said, if we have a good rapport with someone we can give input or suggestions safely. My MH practitioner always says "i can't always agree with u" and i like that - u can disagree and see things differently, but to tell someone they are doing xyz wrong or living their life wrong is probably going to do more damage than value. In that respect, I agree with the moderators statement here that this is best done by counsellors.

Also for our own good, if we try and counsel anyone here, (innocently, and with good intentions to help) it might end up just hurting US more. Because we don't know exactly how to, and might take their refusal to listen personally.

It's hard, but i think the best support and growth i've experienced here has been more from a listening ear, and honest empathy and occasional feedback, rather than specific advice to do abc

[geoff]

Hello Matchy, we hope you are still reading the comments that so interest you, please don't let one comment by someone destroy all the hard work you have achieved on the forums.

Your work has been greatly appreciated and do hope to see you again.

Geoff.

[tranzcrybe]

Without the benefits of gesture and inflexion (also the lack of visual cues from noting reactions in face to face interaction), it is very much left to the reader to infer meaning.
In text alone, language is quite inferior to adequately express oneself. This creates a sort of paradox within the mental health forum space where participants are often highly attuned to negative connotations (self worth, belonging, pleasing others), and some degree of accountability must rest with the reader to understand that posts are rarely made to deliberately chastise the individual for their predicament or beliefs. This also applies to those who empathise with how a post is received where replies in solidarity only result in degrading the potentially unwitting responder, and thus perpetuating the cycle.
Posing differing views is usually an attempt to provide another way to conceptualise a situation and rise above any sense of helplessness, and yet it is these differences that can lead the reader/recipient into feelings of deprecation.
For this reason, any perceived inappropriate posts should be directed to moderators and not pursued in the public environment. I reiterate that anonymity in responses would negate individual retribution (without absolving accountability). Sensitivity in replies is not limited to those seeking assistance and care should be taken to afford such respect regardless of context.
To remedy this, classifying posts (with simple color coding - light colors, pastel shade) can allow some control for the OP to select the intensity of outcomes sought to help meet expectations:
1] Reassurance (pink);
2] Comforting Support (blue);
3] Relevant Advice (green);
4] Options to try (orange);
5] even those seeking a Critical Response (duly qualified, naturally) to challenge their way of thinking (red);

Notwithstanding the above, I have never encountered any directly offensive replies. Although easily misdirected, some consideration of another's point of view (and right to hold such view) is the very nature of forum support, and simply recognising this attribute might even be regarded as part of the solution.

[Guest_1643]

i don't think i've seen offensive replies intentionally, but i have seen very discriminatory things said, stereotyping, agist comments etc... stuff like that which would affect me even not directed at me.
I think also sometimes the terms we use to talk about metnal health in 2021, need some finetuning.
Some language is stigmtising and calling ppl crazy for example or saying that ppl with BPD are toxic might hurt some ppl's feelings. It's also not true.
But with my own mental health problems i've found i'm too tired and drained to fight negative stigmas.
In hospital a man referred to another ptient as "the disabled guy" because the guy had schizophrenia. I felt very upset even though that wasn't directed at me. Calling someone disabled is offensive. I think calling ppl with BPD manipulative and dangerous is also a little unfair, it's a form of chronic PTSD. I don't even know if i believe it exists, but i stand with my friends who have this daignosis as more repsentational of the trauma thy have survived than an indictment on their character. Since this is a mental health forum, judgements of any form of distress, diagnosis, or situation others may be in hits hard. We're all going through it. So we should realise how hard it hurts to b stigmatised.

[Summer Rose]

Hi Sleepy21

I like your reminders about language and feel bb has a role here to help educate forum participants.

It can all be a little confusing and subjective when it comes to language. For example, is saying someone is disabled offensive if it’s accurate? Is talking about MH and disability offensive?

I ask because it’s entirely possible that a person can be disabled by a MH condition and qualify for the NDIS or other similar supports. My daughter has OCD and it is considered a disability with a range of educational and financial supports available to her.

Just food for thought.

I know I would appreciate some guidance with regard to correct lingo to avoid causing offence.

Kind thoughts to you