Mental Health Section - Page 2

ccit · 27-11-2012, 15:35

It is a good idea to keep your new forum viewable to members only. This is what I have done with my own (not mental health related) and the members much prefer it this way. It creates more of a community feel which you may want to achieve yourself. Of course this might not be the case.

I do not meet the criteria to join such a forum as yours but one thing I would advise is to consider having two user groups. When people join my forum they are registered members who do not have access to all of the folders. They can see a few though. Once they have made an introductory post they become all access members and can see all the forum. This might not be appropriate for your own but I have found it useful because a significant number don't bother to post, indicating that they are just lurking. Lurkers are no use to the life of a forum in my view, although with big forums like this one it is of no consequence. I send a welcoming email explaining this and also the privacy/use of cookies policy. If they don't post within about two weeks I delete them.

If this is your first forum, be prepared to spend a lot of time on it and to moderate quite tightly. This is a difficult area as you want to make people feel welcome and not be offended. I've found that I have to think quite laterally sometimes and look at things from perspectives other than my own.

In time, possibly a few graphics would be good to make the forum look more interesting. Colour is so important to us all, not just those with mental illness. Currently it is a nice shade of blue but maybe that could be revisited? I see that yours is phpbb, as is mine and there are many skins to choose from.

One other thing - don't be in a rush to appoint administrators and moderators. Take your time and watch carefully for those who have qualities for these roles emerge from the membership. I appointed someone very early on and it was disastrous.

Starting a forum can be a bit scary (well, it was to me) so good luck with your venture - I hope it is successful.

doom bringer · 27-11-2012, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccit

It is a good idea to keep your new forum viewable to members only. This is what I have done with my own (not mental health related) and the members much prefer this.

I do not meet the criteria to join such a forum as yours but one thing I would advise is to consider having two user groups. When people join my forum they are registered members who do not have access to all of the folders. They can see a few though. Once they have made an introductory post they become all access members and can see all the forum. This might not be appropriate for your own but I have found it useful because a significant number don't bother to post, indicating that they are just lurking. Lurkers are no use to the life of a forum in my view, although with big forums like this one it is of no consequence.

If this is your first forum, be prepared to spend a lot of time on it and to moderate quite tightly. This is a difficult area as you want to make people feel welcome and not be offended. I've found that I have to think quite laterally sometimes and look at things from other perspectives than my own.

In time, possibly a few graphics would be good to make the forum look more interesting. Colour is so important to us all, not just those with mental illness. Currently it is a nice shade of blue but maybe that could be revisited? I see that yours is phpbb, as is mine and there are many skins to choose from.

Starting a forum is quite scary so good luck with your venture - I hope it is successful.

thanx for the advice guys ...and no not my first forum I have had lots based around all kinds of topics or hobbies .. I have past ownership over to others who can give more time than I could .

I dont imagine this forum will get to many members but hey I gave it a go and it cost nothing .. just thought some here would find it usefull ... but like this topic there is thousands of views and not a lot of posting .

so even if your not intrested in posting or even ill pls take the time to register so others may also join

ccit · 27-11-2012, 16:36

Oh, sorry - didn't realise that you had experience of setting up forums.

Please accept apologies.

Quote:

I dont imagine this forum will get to many members but hey I gave it a go and it cost nothing

I understand that a lot of forums do fail but maybe yours won't. Your others were successful so if time and effort are given to this it could be a useful resource, particularly as it is a local one.

Andy · 27-11-2012, 18:57

Hi Doom Bringer,

The benefit your forum has over SF is the privacy. The nature of SF means all our posts are on view to everyone, which does, unfortunately, mean we attract a few trolls. Whilst the idea of this kind of group hasn't been ruled out, we would have to come up with some way of preventing trolling. My big worry is that if someone posted in the mental health section asking for advice, others may use that against them in other threads which were nothing to do with mental health. As you say, the smallest remark can play on someone's mind for weeks afterwards, even if it's promptly deleted. Hopefully a closed, specialised forum will prevent that.

So in summary I wish you the best of luck

doom bringer · 27-11-2012, 19:46

yes andy I also think this could be a good idea . I at one point would have loved such a forum or place to talk and maybe meet like minded people so to speak .

and have found with doctors or even strangers that I could say some of the things on my mind that could not be said to family .

I realy hope it gets some members to start up a chat or thread to get things moveing . I know it maybe slow going with out a domain name or being in search engines / google . but that would cost so any help shareing the link via here or other sites would be great .

ps...ccit

pls dont think your advice was for nothing it was a great help and I thankyou for any imput as I am in now way a expert with forums so any and all advice is welcome

BEDROCK · 28-11-2012, 20:16

Think this is a fantastic idea, we should all club together and make it happen, would be a great way to help and befriend people as well.

doom bringer · 28-11-2012, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEDROCK

Think this is a fantastic idea, we should all club together and make it happen, would be a great way to help and befriend people as well.

http://sheffield-depression.forumotion.co.uk/ the forum is up and have 1 new member maybe if others join then others also will follow

if anyone wants to help out maybe new sections or forum ideas topics ect ect..

my grammer and spelling is not always the best so if you spot any mistakes pls let me know ...

Foxy18 · 30-11-2012, 14:40

Nice to see a section dedicated to what is, unfortunately, still such a stigmatised topic