[DocJohn]

Pretend, for a moment, that you have a blank slate in which to create the premier mental health resource online. Ignore everything you've ever seen or known online today. You can do or have anything you want on this site.

Think outside the box, go beyond static disorder or treatment information. The sky's the limit.

Tell me what you would want from the ideal mental health site online!

Thanks!
DocJohn

[hillbunnyb]

Dear Doc, How nice of you to ask! I'll give it a think. So far, I only am aware of wanting an Asperger's Forum. As for format, oooww gotta think about that for a while. PS I really appreciate what you have already done here. It has helped me move on down the raod of healing on the express train.
Thank you so much.

[Perzephone]

Actually, more dx/actual treatment information is exactly what I'd like - free mental health counselors/advisors available, not just an 'Ask the Expert' column where your questions may or may not get answered. Also, state-by-state or country-by-country databases of mental health facilities, psychiatrists, psychologists, clinics, volunteer programs, etc. would be cool, too.

Easier-to-use not-so-FAQ's would be a plus, too. Sometimes the search functions are so specific, even on the regular internet. It can be frustrating if you want to know something, but can't think of the a technical name for it.

[DocJohn]

Great ideas, keep 'em coming!!

[kimmydawn]

I'd like to see more smilies/emoticons. Many of us use them for expression and having more to really show how we're feeling would be nice.

Also, we have so many creative people here (I'm not one of them but so enjoy looking at creative works). What about a way to display a creative works for a month? A poem, drawing, etc., could be displayed somewhere here at the site with a link to more. Right now if people want to share a picture or creation, it's put in the photo gallery.

Thanks, docjohn!

KD

[JustBen]

I'd like to see a greater diversity of expert opinion presented. Most mental health websites understandably reflect the opinions and approaches of their founders. Unfortunately, I think many users perceive these opinions as facts, or as "the" truth. A wider selection of regular contributors from accross the spectrum of mental health theories would expose users to the various ways in which mental health problems can be conceptualized.

For example, let's say you have a section on Depression. A CBT therapist, a humanistic/existential therapist, a biologically-oriented psychiatrist, and a psychodynamic therapist may be invited to write about how their particular "schools" view the problem of depression and its treatment.

This not only exposes users to a greater number of opinions and a more accurate representation of what the "psychology world" thinks about a subject, but it makes them better consumers of psychological/psychiatric services.

[ozzie]

In my opinion the ideal mental health site would involve lots of interaction between the provider of the site and the members. The question of the week was suggested by myself years ago with that in mind.

Another idea I have is that the moderators be nominated by the membership rather than having moderators nominate moderators. The "team" continues to be filled with the moderators friends, many having like ideas. Being more democratic about the nominations might result in a better atmosphere in the forums.

I realize that we were invited to discuss what would make the site ideal for us. In my opinion the site will only be as good as the people who are running it. Involvement, caring, compassion, truly listening, lack of self importance and honesty are all qualities I would like to see from the "team".

We have lots of forums, I don't see that as a problem. We have thousands of members technically, (they signed up once) but we don't keep them around for long. I honestly believe part of the reason for that is because of the management of the site. I asked for change before and now I'm asking publicly at your invitation. Thank you for the opportunity. Susan

[Lexicon78]

Hmmm...I'm not very good at this so the only thing I find this site lacking is a GLBT forum...just a thought.

[mortimer]

I guess, the members being nice and supportive, and even if it means stiffling their personal oppinion on a particular issue, to not say it because it would hurt others. I get sick of the drama of other message boards, I don't need it here. It's not a problem with with the mods though, it's what we as members need to fix on their own. We're not all going to see eye-to-eye, but we don't always want to go that extra effort.

It's not as bad now, but then again I'm trying to ease back into being here and I only check 3 or 4 parts of the forum right now, but organization. When I'd first joined up, holy hell it drove me nuts. O_O;;;

It's seems a lot better now though, so I guess the only thing is that I hope it stays as good now. (^_^) Thanks.

Doc, I agree with Perzephone. I'm having trouble finding a psychiatrist. Someone I can trust and feel I'm not going to blow a lot of time and money on for nothing. I've been there, done that.
I'd like to have references to mental health professionals who've gotten the thumbs up from other clients, who've recommended them to you or the site.

There are so many counslers listed online and in the phone book. They are all so expensive.
I wouldn't mind spending the money on someone if I knew it was money well invested.

Could you do that or does that infringe on some kind of privacy policy issue?

Um, wait, the sky's the limit? Okay, then, to push it further, what about a list of support groups too? Highly recommended support groups for all types of mental health issues.
That's all for now.
Thanks for asking.

[dottie]

I'd like to have Adam Sandler "guest host" on Tuesday nights, along with Doc John, of course, answering our Psych questions.

[SleepsWithButterFlies]

Me I would like to see a more adult or open discussion or acceptance of alternative life styles..gay, bi, tri..prostitution, sex addiction and so on without it being a huge fight fest......maybe a enter at your own risk ..banner and lack of tolerance being banned within that area....Also way back someone I liked asked on a bi-racial area and that would be cool....

[(JD)]

[b]<font color="darkblue">OOOO I already have pages and pages (I'm a visual dreamer!) should I PM them instead of listing here? [*]
This site already has many things better than many other sites I check out... ease of use is one of them, imo and blocking of search engines...

but... I have dreams like.... <ul type="square">
<font color="darkgrey">[*]interactive, full screen (takes over and hides ISP toolbars etc )[*] audible voice optional....[*]animated avatars with expressive facial responses dependant upon the words in post being read to me! Maybe even in member's own voice????
<font color="purple">[*]Background music options...[*]Visual effects options (like butterflies flying around once in a while for example) [*]Capability of PMing with anyone in chat... one chat room to another... and from forum area too...[*] IM with others in forum (addt small window) rather than the current PM system)
[*]Directed chats,[*]with macro capability for topic discussions or game playing...
<font color="blue">[*]personal-touch Q&A with therapist forum (less generic)<font color="green">
[*]Large choice of suitable, legible, font styles, colors[*]ability to change VIEWING color of fonts, like away from reds, oranges, blues, in forums and chat[*]Automatic spell check, with persistance override
<font color="green">[*] Selection of postive affirmations specifically for my disorder, or[*] daily changing affirmations in each forum or[*] slow scrolling/changing affirmations or words of wisdom from experts in disorder arena[/list]<font color="black">
shall I go on??? this is kind of fun.

[jennie]

(1) ADA accessible web pages without using a boring layout. (see http://www.webaim.org/techniques/articles/boring )

(2) Up-to-date graphics. Have a professional artist design unique icons and compressed images. Update images at least every other year. Seasonal graphics add spice to the site.

(3) Provide latest news, professional articles, research, and links for each major psych disorder. A current, quarterly updated, one-stop shop page for each of the psych disorders.
For example:
I want to be able to click on a link for PTSD and see everything for the year 2005 displayed on PTSD. What did the national news report about this disorder? What research was controversial or helped further our understanding of PTSD? Where are the new PTSD websites online? Who are the foremost experts on PTSD? What are the mainstream treatments for PTSD? What are new treatments? PTSD world-wide info, too.

(4) Military veteran friendly site. Over 15,000 military have been wounded from the Iraq war. An ideal mental health site would address veteran specific psych issues (i.e., amputee altered body image, grief, combat guilt, stigma, psych disorders diagnosed after combat, divorce, etc.).

[jennie]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
_Sky said:
Selection of postive affirmations specifically for my disorder, or daily changing affirmations in each forum or slow scrolling/changing affirmations or words of wisdom from experts in disorder arena

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

good stuff _Sky!

[DocJohn]

Just to clarify, since at least one member here believed this was a thread about this community or website. It was not.

I was asking about what you'd like to see in a hypothetical ideal mental health website.

There are tons of interesting, fun, and overall great suggestions in this thread, please keep them coming!!

Thanks!
DocJohn

[(JD)]

ty I like your input on the specific military related disorders.

One thing we almost have... the ability to read the originating post by sliding the "mouse" over the subject line... but it flashes and flickers and times out too quickly right now.

In a perfect site, you would have both generality and specificity! hehehe There's so much to read, I'd like to narrow things down, but then I don't want to have to read the same thing in 20 places either! (Nor NOT have the posts that could refer to "this" thread also.. ) I would like to have the site show me, upon demand, all related posts (also depending upon my preferences to currency of posts etc)

I have many other ideas... like an animated profile or a listing of symptoms clickable for that member (according to disorders they "admit" to) in any of their posts(so it's easy to realize "where" they are coming from.. when they post...)

it's difficult to be specific when trying to not be too elaborate! hehehe duh me.

[NICO]

a section where we look at the mind without psychological ideaologies and definitions.

[(JD)]

more? I know it's often difficult to understand where I'm coming from.. so bear with me... I mean well.
Some of what I'm thinking is because with mental unwellness, it's often more difficult to understand or figure out things, so the less obscure things are, the better?<font color="blue">
<ul type="square">[*] capabilty of saving "e-cards"[*]ability to send those e-cards in a PM or post for birthdays, thinking of you, get well, sympathy etc (not links)
[*] instant notification feature to notify moderators of disconcerting post or member<font color="purple">[*] limited posting for new members, perhaps limited to general forum and 2 forums of which they admit disorders, and only "main chat room" privileges until "cleared" (whatever that entails)[*] capability of flagging a post or thread to alert others you found the thread disconcerting..[*]and maybe which temporarily blocks all posting to that thread (very limited timeout...just enough to notify a mod?) or assign this capability to other certain members (another title or such, other than mod?) (this would prevent the constant posting and burying necessary to protect the site (so to speak) of offensive posters.)[*] better capability of moderators to "hide" an offensive post until they can delete it or edit it[*] increased percentage of members who are designated as aides for certain forums. or disorders... who are capable and willing to help (but not moderate), reply to PMs, meet in chat etc ... (whom new members can contact from the online members)[*]additional assist level between member and mod[*]full description of mod duties/capabilities<font color="darkgreen">[*]capability to organize site like an ISP home page....[*] better capability to sort threads into personal pref categories (like emails)...[*]onsite option of viewing (first,only?) posts or threads in which the member has recently posted[*] ability to store various avatars &amp; siggys on site (in my own profile pages) for easy changing according to moods<font color="darkgrey">[*] have avatar also come up next to s/n on chatting line (easier to see who's saying what) in chat[*] full, easy to read how-to: post, PM, chat within each forum or a pop up window (access while trying to do it!)[*]a true "lobby" in chat area where there's no chatting but capability to look around chatsite and select a room , view options (rather than entering an ongoing chat and still having to select color, view all rooms, figure out chat room options etc)[/list]<font color="black">... to be continued

[Peanuts]

How about what is going on legislatively regarding mental health both at the national level and individual state levels. What areas within the U.S. are going to the local tax payers for $$$ to replace or support a levie. Analysis of bills going through state legislatures that would impact delivery of mental health services or research or whatever. Listing or collection of advocacy groups and how to contact them and what they are doing.

[(JD)]

also, did someone mention <ul type="square">[*]medication links... to the manufacturers ?[*]list of resources ...where to look, ask, for help and for geographical areas(the places we are always suggesting to each other: church food banks, social services, hospital outpatient social workers, etc[/list]

my list for other websites is all the mentioned For the most part everyone has pretty much hit on my general ideal mental health website.

Speaking just on this website I think it offers so much more then other site. The people running the site are doing a great job. I may not always like when posts I feel are important get removed but I understand their reasons (and if not I find out why) and then I actively change my posting style my future posts dont get removed. Then I move on because I know they are doing a job.

I don't think setting the site up so that people have to "stiffle" their personal views on any subject. If we do that one we are perpetrating what so many of us dealt with as children - keep your mouth shut unless you argee with me and then I dont want to hear it anyway type situations. I come to on line groups for many reasons one being that I am able to express myself. I shouldnt have to go back to victim mode of keeping my mouth shut on my feelings and personal views just because someone isn't ready or does not want to hear what I have to say. Just because one or two people arent interested, want to hear or take part in that conversation does not mean others do not.. This website offers what some websites do not and that is the ignore/threaded features so that if I know the types of posts or the person that upsets me I can turn on those features and move on with my day. by not using those features when offered by choice I am choosing to be subjected to that person and their personal views and therefore it is not the persons or personal views that are keeping me in a miserable state of chaos.

With this in mind I do think we need a complete area for "tips and topics" for keeping yourself safe on line. At one point I have suggesting pinning such a thread to each forum board but sometimes people don't notice the pinned threads until they are looking for that specific information. Maybe having it as a complete separate area wher its prominently displayed and will be used.

Some safety things I use could help others like

I always remember not to take anything someone says personnally. there are thousands of people on one webiste so a persons post can be directed at me or not. When I do notice something that "hits home" I don't allow that to bait me into a fight which would get me banned. I either take (by writing it down here in my notebook and figure out why it hit home or upset me) or I leave it by NOT responding to that bait and posting what I can offer.

When someone is upset by my posts I appologize and find out why, then I take care of it by changing posting stlye if I can.

I keep in mid that appologys don't always work because people may not allow themselfs to accept them and move on. I can't make them accept my appology so I move on with my day knowing I did the resposible thing by owning up to my actions and taking care of them if possible.

I keep in mind that sometimes its the other persons problem not mine and sometimes changing my actions is not possible for example when I recieve conflicting feedback as to what the problem is - for example people saying publically there is a problem and then privately saying what I post and offer is ok. I know I can't please those types so I do what I can - I by pass the complaint since they can't decide which way they want it and continuing as I am for those that are ready, willing and want what I can offer and allow the ones with the complaint to take care of the problem within themselves be it by using the ignore/threaded feature or contacting those running the site.

I love the idea of having professionals offering diverse points of view. I love adding new things to my life and therapy. When someone tells me they have or know of professionals with different views from mine I ask for info - book, contact and so on so that I can try to add that to my life and therapy. But for alot of reasons people don't back up their offer of different views with disclosing the professional or book. This is one of the reasons I posted the type of resourse list I did without narrowing it down to just my preferences in the Dissociative forum - so that those who are knowledge curious llike mecan read all kinds of views on a variety of subjects.

[Raynaadi]

When my mom found out she had cancer, she joined a site, I can't remember what it was, but I've heard people talking about it here. Along with each board, there was a chat tha went along with it. It was great, because she could chat with other cancer sufferers, rather then being in a general chat all the time. I would love to see something like that in a mental health site like this one with forums and everything we have here. I guess in short, specific support chat groups, maybe at specific times, and online support group meeting with others who have the same malady, rather then a bunch of people with different maladies that you don't even understand. It would just be nice to have the opportunity to chat with others who understand, while at the same time being able to chat with others and learn about other maladies.

[LMo]

I'd love to see an improved Ignore option:

- the Ignored person can still send you PMs, but they are not visible to you
- the Ignored person can post to threads, but you can't see that they posted anything

I LOVE all of _Sky's ideas, too

In general, I think this is a great, almost ideal site. There isn't much I would do differently if I were to start a new mental health site, but I would add many of her suggestions.