[DocJohn]

First, don't freak out. Many members receive a PM from one of the members of the community team (designated with a "Community Team Member" notation in the forums) -- either a moderator or administrator. Often times it is just to clarify an issue, or let you know some action was taken that affects you.

Realize that the community team is here to protect the membership and community as a whole. You are not being singled out for whatever action or behavior it is that brought you some attention. We're doing this to try and keep the community a positive, supportive environment.

Please, try and take the PM in stride. You may have received a PM because a post or reply you made (or something you did or said in chat) broke our Community Guidelines. Our Guidelines are here so that everyone can get the most from our community. If you act according to the philosophy of "I wouldn't do anything that I wouldn't want done to myself," you'll probably do just fine here. But the PM notes what specifically you did that was against the Community Guidelines, and what action was taken. It also suggests ways to avoid similar action in the future, and what future actions may be taken if it continues.

The PM is not meant as a punishment or to single you out. (In many situations, we send multiple PMs to all parties involved, so no one is singled out.) It's meant to give you concrete information that you can act on in the future to prevent future problems.

You can ignore the advice given in the PM. If a community team member specifically suggests you place another member on Ignore, you're welcomed to ignore that directive. But you do so at the risk of future warnings, which can escalate into an eventual suspension. We don't give advice for the fun of it -- we do so to try and make the community a healthier, better place for all. You included.

Try not to overreact to a PM. I know how easy it is to simply lash out in anger, send a nasty PM reply, or start posting negative, angry stuff on the forums. Don't. This is only going to cause the receipt of more PMs and increase the likelihood of further action. Remember that discussing administrative actions in a PM is against the Community Guidelines.

On very rare occasions, we may suspend a member. If you've been given a 3 day (or more suspension), to either the community in general or the chat rooms, your best strategy is to take time out from the community and reconsider your goals here. Keep in mind that we're here primarily as a support community for folks with mental health concerns. So if you're not here to get or give support for a mental health or related concern, this may not be the best community for you.

Do not create additional membership accounts trying to circumvent the Community Guidelines or a suspension. Such efforts will be discovered, and upon discovery, any additional accounts will be summarily banned.

Thank you for your cooperation in these matters. And just know, 99.9% of members who receive a PM from us have not done anything significantly wrong -- it's just that our method for communicating with members and keeping the community running as smoothly as possible.

DocJohn

[sunflower55]

If you've been given a ...suspension, to either the community in general or the chat rooms, your best strategy is to take time out from the community and reconsider your goals here.

Good thinking here.
What is it that *we* are here for?
In this case, it is about us; we get to think about what we need.

A PM is only a communication.
It is not meant to harm anyone.
Read it for its message; don't read into it.

And remember, this is a safe place to be.
And isn't that important?

Sorry, Doc...
Hope you don't mind me adding my 2 cents!

Peace!

Thank you Doc. Thats some important information.

I just want to add as well, we are here to talk to if you have any questions or anything. Like doc said, we do have a system of guidelines that we stick to to keep the community running smoothly, but if you ever have a question or require an explanation of an action that has been taken that involves you, don't hesitate to contact me or the Team Member who has PM'd you. We just ask that as John stated, you keep an open mind and are respectful After all, we are all here to make sure everyone is able to give and get support in as safe an environment as possible.

[(JD)]

IDK about the rest of the members here, but it's difficult for me not to freak out when there's a PM from admin/mod in my mail box! Actually my stress level goes really high when there's one in my box, even if I'm communicating with someone who is on the team! Does Pavlov ring a bell?

It would be good to have a nice icon on it when it isn't a "what have I done now" issue hehehe...and the exclamation or warning icon when it is. (Then I can open it when I'm up to it? )

DocJohn, come on, you mean some people send nasty grams in response to a PM from a community team member? Nahhhhhh

[sky dancer]

What are my goals here? To benefit myself and to benefit others.

[pegasus]

Admin are only allowed to PM if it is to say that they love me, ok!

[sky dancer]

Originally Posted by pegasus

Admin are only allowed to PM if it is to say that they love me, ok!

That would be quite wonderful. Admins pm-ing to say they love you and recognize the efforts you're making to help others.

Sweet idea.

Positive only feedback works so well with me. I was so brutally criticized and punished by my abusive foster parents as a child that punitive interventions always meet with resistance in me--life and death--it feels like--don't crush my spirit!

My grandmother taught me to play the piano by the method that most works with me. She encouraged me at a young age to play piano and I was allowed to sit and the piano and do whatever I wanted. When I accidentally hit a chord or a few notes in succession that sounded melodic she would say, "that sounds nice honey."

She never criticised me nor told me my offering was 'noise'. Her home was an oasis to me. She would have me sit with her victrola and play records---she had a massive stack of them all day long.

I loved the peace and well being my grandma offered me.

When I have had bosses who recognized my wit and intellect and enjoyed my independence and challenging passion I've excelled and done my best work and service to the community.

Keeping going Pegasus

I love the image of the winged horse. We who travel freely through time and space without obstruction must support each others flight to greatness.

[Christina86]

Originally Posted by Rainbowzz

Thank you Doc. Thats some important information.

I just want to add as well, we are here to talk to if you have any questions or anything. Like doc said, we do have a system of guidelines that we stick to to keep the community running smoothly, but if you ever have a question or require an explanation of an action that has been taken that involves you, don't hesitate to contact me or the Team Member who has PM'd you. We just ask that as John stated, you keep an open mind and are respectful After all, we are all here to make sure everyone is able to give and get support in as safe an environment as possible.

Seconding this.

I know that it's uncomfortable to receive a PM from a moderator/admin ... I still am a bit perturbed when I get one! (I wish I was kidding).

I like what pegasus said though as well... "All you need is love" ... I think that's a song, right?

[MINIME]

I got one once or twice. Lol. It was not bad.

[sabby]

I would also like to let members know a couple of things

First of all.....all the team members are first and foremost a member of Psych Central. We all started off as typical members looking for and giving support. We're all in this wonderful place together!

Secondly, everyone on our team are volunteers. None of us receive any pay or compensation for our time and efforts. We do these jobs because we received so much from Psych Central and we want to give back the best way we can. And what better way for us to give back then to help this place run as smoothly as possible, helping to make our little corner of the net safe and helping our fellow members!

We truly do appreciate everyone's contribution to Psych Central. Our doors are always open and we will always listen when you need us. We're here for YOU!


sabby

Can we just put a DO NOT DISTURB sign in our profile?

[serafim_etal]

Originally Posted by TheByzantine

Can we just put a DO NOT DISTURB sign in our profile?

I'm already disturbed enough?

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by DocJohn

I Got a PM From a Community Moderator or Admin! Now What?!

First, don't freak out...

Whenever I've gotten a PM from a Mod or Admin it's always clearly specified now what. Furthermore, all the Mods and Admins who've ever PM'd me have been so nice about it that they're more than welcome to write again whenever they have time.

I didn't freak out but it sounds as though I'm just about the only one who doesn't...

--------------------------
Does that mean I'm abnormal?

I freak out every time I see a pm from admin then read it and relax lmao....

[Amanda_1981]

I've only ever gotten one PM from admin and it was just to let me know that one of my threads had been moved to a different area.. no biggie at all Actually, I was glad they took the time to pm me and let me know in case I was wondering what had happened to it.

I do not freak out. There was life before PC. There will be life after. I have enjoyed my encounters with the people here. I expect I will continue too.

[babygirl2201028]

what does pm mean?

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by babygirl2201028

what does pm mean?

When you click on someone's username to the left of their post, a pulldown menu appears that includes an option like this:

Send a private message to babygirl2201028

Or a PM, for short

I go into a panic attack if I get contacted by a mod or admin unless I was the one to start the conversation

remember that discussing administrative actions in a PM is against the Community Guidelines.

I'm confused now, does this include if we're trying to understand what we did wrong? like message back to ask about the PM we got or any action taken against us personally

sorry for any typos my furbaby (cat) is trying to sleep on the computer

[emgreen]

Originally Posted by babygirl2201028

what does pm mean?

Private message. Did you know the plural of PM is PMS?

[-jimi-]

If we're disciplined by a moderator I think we have all rights to ask what we did wrong? How the hell are we supposed to understand otherwise???

But I'm not surprised, I got disciplined for being stalked. Yup, I really could help that. Not.

[amandalouise]

I was just rereading this thread and noticed something and would like clarification on it.

from doc johns post

"Remember that discussing administrative actions in a PM is against the Community Guidelines. "

This means you ........Can Not............ discuss things with other members......

example.....

member A gets a pm from the moderators that they did something that needs to be changed

then member A turns around and pms member B....I just got this from a moderator can you believe this crap. I didnt do anything wrong......
then member B responds with yea I didnt see that as wrong either ...bla bla bla...

then member B turns around and pms member C hey guess what so and so got punished for their comment in this thread can you believe that Im on member A's side what about you...

and soon the boards are in an uproar because member A was placed on moderation or suspended or asked to put someone on ignore.

on the other side of things

from doc johns post

"Remember that discussing administrative actions in a PM is against the Community Guidelines. "

..........Does..........mean

when a moderator sends you a pm you can discuss with the moderators the situation by pm ..............with........... the moderators. This way you will know how the moderating team came to their decision. explain your side and understand why they would like you to make the changes that they are asking you to make.

am i correct in what I think this phrase means?

[-jimi-]

So the rule means you cannot talk about the thing with the moderator themselves. It means you cannot talk to another member about an admin matter.

So, the mods are reading through our PM:s. I think we should be informed that private does not mean private in this case!

Jeeze!!! You can't do this without being super clear about it! We talk about really sensitive stuff in PM that aren't meant for ANYONE elses ears!!!

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by -jimi-

So the rule means you cannot talk about the thing with the moderator themselves. It means you cannot talk to another member about an admin matter.

So, the mods are reading through our PM:s. I think we should be informed that private does not mean private in this case!

Jeeze!!! You can't do this without being super clear about it! We talk about really sensitive stuff in PM that aren't meant for ANYONE elses ears!!!

I don't know, I find this rule to be oppressive and against the idea of support. Sometimes situations happen between members and we need to PM with a safe friend to process and understand it.

And as Jimi asked, why would mods be reading our PMs unless the PM in question has been reported and forwarded? I thought PM meant PRIVATE message.

Seesaw

Moderators and admin can read PMs???????

Originally Posted by -jimi-

So the rule means you cannot talk about the thing with the moderator themselves. It means you cannot talk to another member about an admin matter.

So, the mods are reading through our PM:s. I think we should be informed that private does not mean private in this case!

Jeeze!!! You can't do this without being super clear about it! We talk about really sensitive stuff in PM that aren't meant for ANYONE elses ears!!!