An 'Other Mental Illnesses' section

[Abigail Hobbs]

For many people, SA is merely a symptom of a deeper issue so I think a subsection for other mental illnesses would be really helpful. I'm not sure about posting this suggestion because I don't know if it will be perceived as undermining the main purpose of the forum - to help people with SA. I know the site is laidback and pretty general about what we discuss, but I think it would be nice to have a categorised subsection for serious advice and discussion with people who share or have experience with the same illness.

[Azi]

That's an interesting idea. Obviously different mental health issues have different impacts on our SA, and vice versa, so I don't see that it would undermine the purpose of the site.

[Abigail Hobbs]

^/^^

Exactly my thinking.

I'd really appreciate if you guys thought about implementing it. I believe I, and many other people, would benefit from it.

[blancmange]

I think it's a great idea too.

[Alf in Pog Form]

As long as it's inclusive.

[Mental Elf]

Wasn't an idea a few years ago like this turned down?

[firemonkey]

I think it's a great idea. Would it be one generalised "other mental illnesses" forum or sub forums for specific types of disorders- mood,personality,psychosis etc?

[Abigail Hobbs]

Originally Posted by firemonkey

I think it's a great idea. Would it be one generalised "other mental illnesses" forum or sub forums for specific types of disorders- mood.personality,psychosis etc?

I was thinking simply a generalised subforum. Specific subforums would be ideal of course, but I just don't think there's enough of a demand for it on here. That's up to the mods to decide though, obviously.

[Olly.]

^^ I think just a general 'Other Mental Health Discussion' section would be best, I notice that Social Phobia World has a number of sections for individual mental health issues, but some aren't really posted in and it's quite a small community we have here.

Originally Posted by Ozzy

Wasn't an idea a few years ago like this turned down?

I'm not sure, but I personally think it's a good idea, obviously the site is SA focused, but many members have other MH issues and the SA Room is a well posted in section, so threads on other MH issues might get a bit lost.

[Olly.]

^ Indeed. If there is a demand for it, which there clearly seems to be, then we will certainly consider creating a new sub-section

[Mental Elf]

Azi already said it was a interesting idea so there for it won't be long until the sub forum is created init.

[Abigail Hobbs]

^^^ That wouldn't work. I'm talking about a wide range of mental illnesses. How would a person with BDD fit in a group composed mostly of people who suffer from schizophrenia? How would a person with bipolar fit in a group composed of people who suffer from OCD? It's too loose a label to warrant a social group. Groups are also far too exclusionary and I also find the idea of a 'group' for people with a mental illness, any mental illness, quite offensive. Like we're being dumped in the crazy bin. A forum where any member, old or new could seek help and support, forum-wide whenever they need it without having to join a group first (in which the audience would be limited) is infinitely preferable.

[Azi]

^ Bit harsh, Johnny. It was a suggestion made years ago, but very much along the same lines: a space dedicated to other mental health conditions.


I agree a subforum would work better than a social group, though. I think it's already got enough support to warrant setting it up, at least for a trial run.

[Azi]

No worries -- we're all on the same page!

Now AH's responsible for the creation of 2 subforums, I think that's a record. You should charge commission.

[daveysurfy]

I think it's a good idea, ppls experience of social anxiety vary wildly on this site, that could be down to the individual but also down to what ever else is going on, be it aspergers, bpd, gad, avpd etc

[Abigail Hobbs]

Originally Posted by Johnny88

A promotion has got to be in the pipeline, surely ?

I'm pretty sure they'd give Ted Bundy moderator status before me, and rightly so.

[Abigail Hobbs]

Originally Posted by Kyle*

Ted Bundy is a serial killer, rapist and pedo

I wonder what the real basis for picking people is for admin and moderator

Abigail you've come up with good ideas for the forum

From what I've seen, being level-headed, reasonable, diplomatic and having an ability to put one's own feelings aside when moderating are essential traits.

[Abigail Hobbs]

Originally Posted by Lyra Silvertongue

Sometimes I want to be a mod just to view behind the scenes but I would be terrible at it. I couldn't refrain from personal attacks if someone was sending horrible PMs and I'd worry I'd accidentally break the family friendly rules of the forum so often that i would get "let go".

The mods here and what they put up with while still remaining so approachable and friendly are really impressive. I know I couldn't cope with that stress.

100% agree.

[Unnecessarily Long Username_1]

I want to be a mod so I can personally attack people without getting banned. Apparently that's "not an acceptable reason" to become a mod though. PC bullshit, if you ask me.

I really like the idea of a sub-forum for non-SA mental health stuff. Glad to hear it's getting the go-ahead.

[Abigail Hobbs]

Originally Posted by Unnecessarily Long Username_1

I want to be a mod so I can personally attack people without getting banned. Apparently that's "not an acceptable reason" to become a mod though. PC bullshit, if you ask me.

100% agree.