Hi!

Sleepy21- thank you for your feedback :) I'm so glad and will keep doing so where I can! I know that follow/unfollow is such a big one and I hear you and I really want this too. There is so much that I'm going to be pushing for but know that I am reading and listening.

Geoff- of course. I feel just as strongly as you. Theres honestly so much I don't know but what I do know is that I'm not going to give empty promises here.

rt

hey all

i was thinking a bit about some of the repeat suggestions here to ppl to call helplines, i know i've also given tht at times to others as advice, and i do use helplines, but there have been many of us at times who just feel we can't cll a helpline or even that the helplines arent working for us.

I feel the same about the idea of booking a double apt with a GP, and getting a MHCP as a general piece of advice for any type of distress/trauma/grief/emotional pain. I hope MH is moving in a direction now where we see things more wholistically, and also respect that some of these generic methods have unfortunately for some t times been a bad match of even done harm. Not every helpline is truama senstive (unforuntately) and i'm not saying anything radical when I say that also not every GP is trama sensitive, or expert in assisting with Mental health.

It then makes ppl feel worse, when they try this advice, with the hope tht it's "the answer."

Absolutely nothing wrong with calling a helpline or going to a GP for a MHCP, just realistically, for many of us it will be the first step of many many steps, and won't necessarily solve or answer our queries as fully as we hoped. I think we have to be wary of deifying doctors or helplines. I see my GP and use helplines and believe in them for sure, and am so grateful, but for most of my MH care it's work i do on my own, and not because a practitioner healed me. I made that mistake in the past of thinking they had the power to do so. They are collabotores, with us, on our healing.

So I just sometimes feel it's a bit dogmtic telling ppl to go to their GP and get a MHCP, or call a helpline, in all forms of acute distress. It might not always be the right match, and thats okay.

I'd like to address the clunky platform...
On my wish list is a more interactive opening screen instead of the wall of categories, headings, and posts, that greet people (particularly newbies) when all they want is help or to express a need. Removing the superfluous is paramount in personalising the experience by ensuring the new user is gently guided through to where they want to be.
A single input box asking "How are you feeling today/tonight, *name*?" can redirect the user to the relevant department.
A response such as "I am sad" trips the Depression, Grief, Suicidal Thoughts, and Moderator Intervention (direct contact) categories. Further questions and responses can narrow this field to the most appropriate outcome (particularly useful in time critical situations). Careful consideration to providing comfort and supportive words generically within the program, can serve to calm/console/empathise along the journey.
Naturally, this places the onus on the programmers and advisory team to define best practice without causing any deleterious effect, but it can 'prepare' the user and help hone their thoughts prior to posts.
An easier task is to 'remember' the user and respond in kind - "Welcome back, *name*" with a list of recently visited threads. A pop-up of "You may also be interested in *related topic*" can encourage delving further or link to similar new posts worth reading. Related support services could also appear based on content (although this could imply/risk marketing opportunities).
Other responses such as "Follow *X*" can link directly to the category, topic, thread, or individual, without further intervention.
The option to "Browse" should still provide the equivalent of the present format (although heavily attenuated to avoid too much 'hopping').

Perhaps a shortlist from the team detailing progress and improvements could assist further contribution?

Hey RT

appreciate the super kind post and thankyou...the Beyond Blue forums require a greater transparency between management & members/champions..... the forums would experience an increase in member participation not to mention champion retention

kindest.....Paul

*Thankyou Katy and Quirky for the super kind posts x

Hi Tranzcrybe

I really like your thinking. I love that you have a vision for the future forum. It begs the question about forum users’ expectations of change.

Sophie, can you please explain the parameters of the redesign to us? Can we expect a complete visionary redesign or improvement around the edges? Or something in between? What’s on the table for change and what isn’t? If this has already been explained and I’ve missed it, I apologise. This will help us better understand what’s happening to our community—which we care about—and help bb manage our expectations.

I really like your point about direct communication with forum users. Fully appreciate and applaud that bb has convened a consultative group to assist with the forum changes.

Yet it begs the question of what role all forum users can play in this change process, as not everyone can be in the group. I’m sure there are many people who can’t be part of the consultative group for one reason or another, yet want to make a contribution.

Sophie, is there a plan to consult with all forum users at some stage? How will this work?

Kind thoughts to you

Hi Paul

Thank you for your comment about transparency and the potential impact of any deficiencies on the relationship between bb and members and champions.

Champions play a really important role here. It’s challenging, selfless and time consuming. You and the rest of the team are appreciated, even if we don’t tell you that enough!

I’m a little slow catching up on your news. So sorry about your loss. Hang in there.

Kind thoughts to you

Hi everyone,

Just a little heads up, I was just told that there was a new subsection around re-design and upgrading to the forums. You'll see that this post has already been moved there-

This is the direct link to the sub which is empty so far, but I'm hoping that it's going to keep all of us in the loop around what's happening so encourage you to bookmark it and chip in where you can

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/re-designing-and-upgrading-the-online-forums

rt

Hi Paul,

Sorry I call you blondguy all the time, I actually do know your name but I've gotten used to using usernames as a go to haha, hope you don't mind.

I hear you about the transparency. That's actually something I've been thinking about a lot lately. I'm not sure what the answer is but I'm definitely open to feedback. Especially if you have feedback for us as CC's rather than just BB as it's a lot easier to action it.

rt

Hi RT

FYI I followed your link, nothing there.

Why the sub thread? I thought this was the place to: “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.”

What could be more relevant than a forum redevelopment?

Hope it’s ok to ask about role in all this, as you seem to be really in the loop compared to other CCs. I stake you are in the consultative group. Are you a communication liaison as well? Or do we deal with Sophie on questions etc?

Kind thoughts to you

Hi RT

Sorry for the typos. Meant to say:

Hope it’s ok to ask about your role in all this, as you seem to be really in the loop compared to other CCs. I take it you are in the consultative group. Are you a communication liaison as well? Or do we deal with Sophie on questions etc?

Kind thoughts to you

Hello it is my opinion that only moderators should moderate. I think learning is important and it would be helpful if there was less negativity on line and more challenging by Sophie, to help keep minds in the positive realm. I do not see it as healthy to allow negative subjects and rants, it helps no one. Challenging our sick thinking is our only hope and I would like to see a lot more of it.

Hi amberlite, 

Thank you for putting your views forward. We try to maintain a safe space for all users, so that everyone has a great experience. For some people sometimes that means coming on the forum to vent, which others can see as a rant. We appreciate the view that some may find it negative, however for some it is a positive outlet as they can vent on the forum and then drop their concerns. People come to the forums for different reasons. 

The forum is a place for community support, to connect with others of like mind, rather than the moderators challenging users. The reason for this is it’s an anonymous space and to challenge others can require a great deal of personal rapport between mod and user. Depending on the user a lot of trust may need to be established and that can be hard to do on a public forum. Therefore, we leave the challenging aspect up to counsellors and psychologists as they have built that personal rapport with their clients directly. We may be able to challenge users from time to time, however this is not the platform for that, as we cannot measure every individual’s safety level. 

We hope that this has offered some clarification. We respect that the forum cannot be everything to everybody, all the time. Just like anything else sometimes we get what we like from a particular source and other times it's not so perfect. We hope that you continue to enjoy the forum, at least for the most part.

This is a great community and we hope that you all continue to stay in touch, understanding that sometime there may be some limitations. 
 

I am sorry this has happened to you.This is an mental health Forum and people on here do struggle from depression and mental health problems.It is a place we should be able to vent and discuss are mental health problems.

and these contributions here are awesome, thanks to everyone for the reasonable, fair and thoughtful questions. i like to know what's going on myself and these discussions have been uplifting for me. Keep it coming :)

I am not certain what you are sorry for?

I know what the site is but I disagree if people Vent and discuss their problems - should we not some how then have an encourage task (?) so we can learn to take responsibility and do something for ourselves?

Everyone knows you can give a man a fish or you can teach him to fish, see the point.

I just think this site could be a bit more educational / motivational / DIY mental tune up.

Hey amberlite

I hope you don't mind me joining your conversation as you raise some very valid points.

While you are very right in what you say, people "should" be able to take responsibility for their wellness and their journey to wellness, YET..what seems quite obvious to you and maybe to me and even others is not so easy for some who post here. That is the very reason that they do post, they cannot see, they do not know, that is why they are reaching out in hope and in need, to get some education and to get some support. So what looks like idle chit chat to some it is actually gold to others. Then sometimes you even see them go on to share this with others..so in fact they are taking a fish and then sharing a fish....

There are lots of links and educational pieces on the Beyond Blue website, that people can read and learn from, sometimes this is all too much for some to cope with and to absorb, sometimes it is a vent and a chat that can get though.

Hugs
Sarah

Amberlite if you do not want me on this site anymore you should have said so.Sorry I suffer a depression and mental illness .I will no longer come one here.Sorry I have have suffered from mental illness for 50 years.This was the only place I had to communicate with people.Sorry I will not come on here again.

Hello Matchy69,

This is a place for everyone to use the forum as a way to express themselves. Venting is perfectly acceptable on this forum, provided it is not directed towards anyone and users are discussing their own experiences. 

Matchy69 different people are going to come on to the forum for different reasons and that is perfectly ok. Amberlite has their own reasons, which is ok as well. We just all need to be accepting of the reasons people come to the forum. As long as the safety of the community is taken into account there is no issue with expressing feelings and thoughts. 

We hope that you both continue to visit the forum and enjoy the community support. We understand that the forum is not going to be all things to everyone. This is a place of acceptance and non-judgement. We are here to support each and help each other through. You are more than welcome here. 
 

This is your home too, you are welcome here today, you are welcome here tomorrow, you can vent and you can express what ever you want and say how you feel, to reach out and to get the support you need here. Please do not let others make you feel like you are not welcome, this is for everyone, for those who vent, for those who do not, for those who have people to support them and those that do not, for those who suffer and for those who support and for those who do both....this is for everyone here and that includes you!

hi Matchy -

You are so very welcome on this site..I, for one hope you stick around :) I was sorry to read you are feeling this way. Your posts are helpful to read and always friendly.

I respectfully disagree with the comments Amberlite mentioned re not venting and only positivity. Thank you Sophie for giving a balanced view on the range of members and our needs. We all are different - have different backgrounds and experiences; and are at different stages in our paths. I think acceptance of this is the best thing and allowing members to use the site for the best way they can. So long as we are all respectful of each other. Venting has been shown to be a good outlet for ppl with depression. For me personally I find this more beneficial for where I am at now than sugary sweet unrealistic 'hope'. That has a place for some. Just like venting has a place for others.

Totally agree with Sleepy's comments re advice for helplines and GP for MHCP. Whilst this is pushed for us all.. I have found it not helpful over the years for myself. And when on the line to BB several months ago I tried to express that psychologists are not for me, having tried several over the years - and was rudely told 'well, if you are not willing to accept help - what do you want from me?' It makes you feel like a failure and that there is no hope left for you to get 'better'. I don't know, but I think there needs to be a wider variety of advice - as in not a one size fits all approach with the generic advice pumped out.

hi golden,

Recently i had a chat with a peer worker (someone who has lived experience with struggling with poor mental health or health)... and he said to me that psychologists didnt work for him, and although you hear about them on movies or the image of - tht's just where u go to get mental health help, they can at times offer very dated and clinical advice.
I felt more seen and heard and felt I understodd my own very mixed experiences with pyschologists. It doesnt mean that all are bad, some are so breathtakingly good, but can we not accept that the mental health system has flaws, that some ppl who work in the field are bad at it and do harm, and that we as MH consumers have to put ourselves first, and not gaslight our own experience?!

i know what u mean being told u are not willing to accept help, just becuse uv had a negative experience - that's a form of victim blaming, and assumes that the help is out there, affordable, accesible and high quality for all at all the times. Particularly now during the pandemic that is not the case for so many ppl.

Hi all,

Mark, I know how easy it is to feel rejected and hurt and unwelcome when you are struggling. I hope you can see from the above responses (and I heartily agree) that you are absolutely wanted and welcome here, and your positive contribution to the forums is recognised.

Golden, you've said pretty much what I am thinking. Venting or speaking of negative things is vital for many of us in managing our mental health. I know for my part how important it is to get the bile out, to be heard and understood. I'm not someone who can pretend everything is peachy when it isn't, and to have someone at me to be or think positive puts me in a much worse place. I can't come out the other side and find the positives without being ugly levels of honest about the negatives and how I feel about them, and this is true for many. Thank you Sophie for clarifying that venting about our experiences (and importantly not directing it at one another, which is unproductive and unnecessarily hurtful) is not something we are expected not to do, it would void the point of the forums for a lot of people, I think.

I agree also about suggestions of helplines, MHCPs and psychologists. They are reasonable suggestions but most definitely not a one size fits all solution. I am among those whose experiences with psychologists and GPs has been various degrees of useless to harmful and most certainly do not believe that these avenues have to be the be all and end all of avenues for healing. Golden and Sleepy, I'm sorry you guys have had similar experiences.

Blue.

hi all

fully support venting on the forums

feel like everyone should be empowered to express themselves as they need

i think everyone will have a different style of supporting ppl on the forums and seeking support and its all okay, drawing the line and posts which are mean, threatening, blaming, accusing, anything toxic is not okay.

Celebrating each others successes and sympathising with the low points is healthy and a part of our lovely community.

Mark i learn so much from u here and hope frm bottom of my heart u dont feel uncomfortable here and will know that u are welcomed

Hello Rt, I quite agree, empty promises only creates mental problems, that expectation of something we're told is going to happen, but doesn't, isn't going to give anybody any confidence, and I'm sorry to say that'd exactly what's been happening for years, with a promise 'it will change in the new forums'.

I've been hearing this once Chris took over but has now moved on, and if your psychologist promises you something, that's exactly what you expect would happen.

The mental health plan should allow the first 2 or 3 sessions to be bulk billed before the 6 to 10 sessions begin, because it's a waste of those free sessions to know whether or not you and the psychologist are suited for each other, but this isn't to say that the psych will only favour those who are paying the full price.

A Medicare price should be allowed for these 2 or 3 sessions so this doesn't happen and expect this to be the case, but there has to be a limit on how many of these sessions are permitted, so that the person doesn't go from one psych to another, simply because their help won't get any better.

Geoff.

Hi golden82, Aaronsis, Sleepy21, Blue’s Clues, Geoff and everyone else who has read this thread,

Something that is very special about this forum is the passion of the members to ensure that it is the best place that it can be. We are incredibly fortunate that you all feel comfortable expressing your opinions on where we can improve and what you want this space to be.

We understand that is has been frustrating watching and waiting for the new forums to come along – we feel the same way. We will have some updates later today and will continue to regularly post here about our progress towards a brand-new site.

Sleepy21 we think that what you said about celebrating success and sympathising with low points gets to the heart of what we try to do here – thank you for sharing.

We hope that this forum is a helpful and safe space for everyone to share their story, receive support and offer what has worked for them. When we suggest our phoneline or to see a GP we do so because we understand how complex Mental Health conditions can be and we know that a supportive and consistent community-based treatment team can be successful. We agree that one answer can’t solve everything, but we think this is a great place for us all to start. If it isn’t right for you right now, that’s ok and we hope that the words of encouragement and understanding here can help in some way.

The greatest value in this site is you, the members who give their time, energy and empathy in offering kindness and support to those in need. It is an all to rare thing to see so many people come together in a space to validate each other and express understanding without judgement.

Thank you all for being here and for sharing so much of yourselves so that others can feel less alone in their own journey.

Kind regards,
Sophie M

I hesitate to join the conversation but I do think you have a valid point Amberlite.

Sometimes we all need a gentle nudge that we need to do something to help ourselves, understanding that this is very difficult for some.

I guess suggestions have to be made very gently.

Hi Hanna3,

I reckon suggestions need to be presented as options, a gently option, a neutral option, a hard option.

That kind of thing, some people respond to gentle, others do not.

Some people come here seeking reassurance, others want practical advise.. and other reasons too of course.

it's always hard to know .... sometimes i was afraid of giving too much advice or commentary, or sharing my own experience, rather than just empathising, but the person said it helped a lot. Its super hard to know over text online what is right....also we aren't therapists so we are fumbling our way, so sometimes sharing my own experience feels like all i can say with certainty. I don't know for sure if x or y will help someone. That said, gentle suggestions in a nice way go a long way. Eg Have you considered? Rather than you should do a b and c. But some ppl aren't up to suggestions and are burnt out, and thats understandable too. Sometimes I feel safest just sharing my own experience (especially on sensitive topics) because I just don't know how someone will respond.

matchy

i agree with aaronsis, sophie, blues clues golden and others that you belong here. I have found your posts refreshing and friendly. I hope will decide to return.

After the fires, I came here and there is no way i could be positive but just being here helped me.

People were so kind and it helped. I like the way there a variety of people on the forum with many different life experiences. I like the way we can express our points of view here .

hi quirky - i learn a lot from others perspectives here as well. I also like how if someone doesn't agree with something, they can politely say so, and its made me less sensitive. There are some really good discussions here (like this one) where ppl come from a lot of different perspectives and are tolerant of diff views.

I'm never going to support ppl encouraging others to take meds on here, but i can hear other ppl explain how they approach such a topic, and it helps me understand the different facets of the issue. Ppl are overall very respectful and don't shut ppl down for differing views. I think that's important for a lot of us, learning to disagree safely.

I'm glad u found this space comforting after what u went through with the bushfires. I'm glad this space is here.