There is no hard and fast rules wrt to this topic and I don't want to add the rules we already have (which some already find too many or burdensome).

I would highly recommend it, however, if people who wanted to discuss and or debate (in a respectful and rational manner) a particular mental health topic start their own thread and maybe even mention what spurred the initiative to start it and ensure people know this is a thread to debate, not for support.

I'm all for healthy debate, as long as it is just that -- healthy and people go into it knowing what they're in for possibly (disagreement with one's opinion). Debate should always be about the issues, not about the people arguing them.

So, for example, if you saw someone mention ECT in a thread on therapy or treatments for depression, and it really spurred you on to wanting to discuss ECT's pros and cons more, you should start a thread of that nature -- "ECT's pros and cons."

We should always try and keep in mind the original poster's (OP's) intention and topic when replying to a thread. Sometimes threads trail off into another direction naturally and if the OP is fine with it, so are we... But if the OP is not fine with it, we should always respect their opinion on this matter and get the thread back on topic if we're still participating in it.

Thanks!
DocJohn