[iLLuMiNaTi]

...the key word being "wondering". I'm not bashing anything just asking myself some questions.

How does one make proper use of the chat? Typically, there are few people connected (to be expected, that's not some gaming forum with massive active userbase) and most people who are connected actually are afk.
OK I haven't beed showing up at the busiest times. But still.
Then, people will tell you that "the coffeehouse is for light hearted conversation only" and "any serious MH related topic is to be discussed in the ES chat".
You aren't without knowing that there's barely ever anyone in that ES chat. (Even "light hearted discussions" in the main chat are scarce for that matter...)
Now when one connects to psychcentral, typically it the matter at hand is somewhat related to mental health (...) and if I want conversations completely unrelated to mental health, i know where to go and that would be some general banter or gaming forum, not psych central.

That makes me think of what the purpose of the PC chat really is. The whole website is mental health related but the chat is not because 'MH-related matters are to be discussed in the ES section', where there is typically no one. It is then de facto a MH-free chat within a MH-centered website....
Is it intentional that proper mental health-related matters virtually can't be discussed in the chat (ofc, with the exception of some few times when you're lucky and someone actually is connected and willing to) while the whole website exists so that people may discuss mental health?

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by iLLuMiNaTi

...the key word being "wondering". I'm not bashing anything just asking myself some questions.

How does one make proper use of the chat? Typically, there are few people connected (to be expected, that's not some gaming forum with massive active userbase) and most people who are connected actually are afk.
OK I haven't beed showing up at the busiest times. But still.
Then, people will tell you that "the coffeehouse is for light hearted conversation only" and "any serious MH related topic is to be discussed in the ES chat".
You aren't without knowing that there's barely ever anyone in that ES chat. (Even "light hearted discussions" in the main chat are scarce for that matter...)
Now when one connects to psychcentral, typically it the matter at hand is somewhat related to mental health (...) and if I want conversations completely unrelated to mental health, i know where to go and that would be some general banter or gaming forum, not psych central.

That makes me think of what the purpose of the PC chat really is. The whole website is mental health related but the chat is not because 'MH-related matters are to be discussed in the ES section', where there is typically no one. It is then de facto a MH-free chat within a MH-centered website....
Is it intentional that proper mental health-related matters virtually can't be discussed in the chat (ofc, with the exception of some few times when you're lucky and someone actually is connected and willing to) while the whole website exists so that people may discuss mental health?

my views mental health isnt just about mental disorders so to me it is find to have a chat system that includes separate "rooms" for discussing different things / different topics and still leaves space "room" for those who may be having a problem and need to chat with someone right away (not in a peers acting like each other are each others treatment providers but as someone who has gone through or has that problem too.)

though I rarely use chat (moves too fast for me ) I think of the coffeehouse like getting together with a friend over a cup of coffee, joking around taking a break from lifes problems including the harder discussions about mental illness, which can help a person feel better about their self and their life mentally. example if I was having a dissociative problem and I needed to clear my head and take a break from it I would use the coffeehouse.

ES description is right on for me, its for discussing any physical or mental health disorders, diseases, problems related to them a member may have or need information about. example if I was having a problem with my MS (a physical health problem) or my Dissociation problems (mental health problem) and wanted to not wait for someone to reply to me on the boards I can see who is online and invite them into ES chat where I can talk about my dissociative problem and the friend can tell me about their relating to this problem and brain storm ideas on how to handle it until I can get in to see my treatment provider, or maybe Im just having a really bad day and need someone to talk to about what went wrong today venting but not want to trigger anyone else on the boards so if I choose to I can invite someone into ES chat and vent away about my horrid day and how its messing with me emotionally or physically.

I think of the Auditorium like going to a lecture, concert or workshop where someone has a chat going for a specific reason and topics. example Doc John does a chat where members can ask him questions about mental health issues. like if I didnt know what dissociation was I could go to doc johns question and answer chats and say to him ok what exactly is dissociation and he can answer that question in general terms of what dissociation is.

the adult chat is for adult non sexual topics.. adults go through things mentally and physically that teens and young teens do not. outside of the internet if you listen to a couple adults talking and listen to a couple teens taking you will see that teens are talking about vastly different things then adults do.

[DocJohn]

Community is about more than just discussing the mental health concerns or things you are grappling with right at this very moment. It's also about socializing, making and growing new bonds with others, and sharing in daily life wins that help keep one another going.

It's not a black and white issue, and we know people sometimes discuss some mental health issues in the Coffeehouse. But it is not the primary place for such discussions, as sometimes people just need a distraction with others who are also grappling with mental health issues -- but not needing to talk about those issues all the time (which can be triggering to some, depending on the issue and topic).

In short, setting up chat rooms for a community of this nature is challenging. We've had chat here for nearly 10 years now, so our division, while imperfect, seems to work for most people who seem to use chat.

Thanks for your thoughts....

DocJohn

[iLLuMiNaTi]

Well for instance, the chat has now 11 people connected, and no discussion is taking place. Which was also the case yestersday when "the silence was palpable" (maybe the 2 fellows i chatted with will read this and remember), and also the previous time, and before...
So while it seems to work for those who use the chat I have a impression it could work better. (Just my personal approach on the matter)

My point was, if i put it differently, that a person willing to discuss MH in the chat and doing so in the coffeehouse, the only place where anyone is connected, will often be told by people who were previously afk that 'this place is for light hearted discussions'. Yes, but if there aren't any light hearted discussions to interrupt which is fairly often the case, and no one in the health support room, what can be so bad about discussing some MH related topic there...

[-jimi-]

Some years ago, chat was indeed more mental health based and supportive. I don't know what happened part from I think chat hit critical mass when too few joins which leads to even more people leaving. No one wants to be the one sitting around waiting for others to join.

[Quarter life]

Yes this can be frustrating Illuminati, especially if we are in crises or in need of venting about our current issues.

It is probably the case that many members listed in the chat rooms not engaging in open chat are often engaged in a Private conversation 'PM'...Giving the impression that they are away or not active.

This is an option if you wish to chat on a personal level with another member. Just ask in open chat if there is anyone interested in discussing your issues privately....or alternatively follow you to the 'Emotional Support' chat room. Of Course there may not always be someone willing to chat with you, as they may prefer to stick to lighthearted conversation, but it doesn't hurt to ask. (hugs)

[iLLuMiNaTi]

Yeah. I presume it will also be easier if I adjust to american time zones, more people will be connected. But it's not that convenient sometimes....

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

I see your point, OP.

However, there is often a General Chat forum on boards like these, and PC is by no means an exception to that standard. There are a multitude of topics and even games on PC which have nothing to do with MH; this has been the way for at least as long as I've been a member here.

As for talking about non-MH things on a site like this? I think it's very, very important; not only does it serve as a "safe" place to have a distraction or two, but you can chat and banter with people who "get" you, or at least have a much better chance of that.

That being said, I think the site would still be a success and very supportive to members even if it didn't have a way to chat instantly, but I still think that chat has its place.

I agree that the ES issue (one which has been around for quite a while) needs to be addressed, but until someone comes up with a magical solution, I'm afraid that's the nature of it -- unfortunately, we're not all trained professionals equipped to deal with people's problems, on top of their own. As far as I know, PC is not, nor was it ever meant to be a replacement for professional help.