Does all this conjecturing really help? After this posting I will refrain from making any more comments on this thread -- out of consideration for other members -- some who have expressed that all this talk is raising concerns and anxiety.

Loyalty to Psych Central seems a bit misplaced when it has been sold to a large conglomerate. (I am agreeing with what Skeez has already stated.) What these large multi-companies do is not based on the needs of consumers but rather how well the platform does as an anchor for advertising.

If a forum is used for "research" that is again saying it may be an anchor for advertising research i.e. research on what medications people are taking etc.

Whether or not it was a "good move" monetarily or management-wise for Psych Central administration does not concern me, or how it will be better "managed" - as I get my mental health information elsewhere and only engage with Psych Central forum --


If this forum is changed from a "community" of "safe support" then it is no longer what it was.

I have never thought it was a good idea when mental health providers suggest online communities as a way to "connect"...for all the above reasons.

Think it is time for members to perhaps rethink how they connect to friends and community. I think a new model might be more use of sites such as meetup...which would be local and could afford members the opportunity of actually meeting in real life. Or course there will always be a percentage who won't like that idea...but meetup sites could include little mini-forums. A healthier model of support could be created than online communities.

Although I have tremendously appreciated the support I have gotten on this forum...and consider online people as Internet Friends...it is a rather fragile and enigmatic situation...and sometimes the anonymous nature seems a detriment. I have taken forum friendships offsite...but frankly they never last that long. It could be me. I grow tired of having "friends" all over the globe...most of whom I will never meet. It is not that I dislike these friends...but more the opposite...it is frustrating to not be able to bring the friendships into real life, meet for coffee or a hike etc.

I do have trouble with transitions but most of all I have been having trouble with multiple sites I am a member of simply melting away.


A forum has a particular function as a forum and this one has been the best of the best. Thank you everyone for being here all these years.