Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
Ok, I'm gonna just get this started. Not meant as a complete picture, but an outline. Can you add your thoughts?
Generally speaking, any topic is OK on DS unless:
1) COMMERCIAL MESSAGES: Users are posting messages promoting products from which they materially benefit.
2) INTERFERING WITH THE FLOW OF CONVERSATION: We had a problem a few weeks ago when a member posted hundreds of topics within a few minutes. It destroyed the flow of the community. Not OK.
3) PERSONAL INFORMATION: DS strongly advises against the posting of personal information (email addresses, phone numbers, addresses) and may delete that if posted. This is done only for your safety.
4) RELIGION: DS is non-denominational and while we think religion is an important part of healing, imposing your religious beliefs on others is not ok. As an example, we do not permit religious folks from entering our Gay and Lesbian forums with the intention of "curing" or otherwise fixing the members there.
5) PERSONAL ATTACKS: Now this is where most folks get tripped up, so let's see if we can come up with something useful. A threat of violence against another member is unacceptable. Example: "I'm going to kill you" or "you should die". Debate about all kinds of subjects is fine, but attacking an individual is not. As an example, if you and I disagree about abortion, we can attack each other's position and claims, but it is NOT acceptable for me to say "You're an idiot! You deserve to die!"
6) ATTACKING A GROUP: Obviously, attacking or insulting a group (race, religion, etc) is also unacceptable.
7) WHAT'S OK WHERE: Forums are public places and require the strictest interpretation of our rules. Journals are more oriented towards personal communication. Journal comments, hugs and private messages are the place where we often see personal attacks, and that's obviously not OK.
8) OBSCENITY / PROFANITY: Generally speaking, we're not sticklers for curse words, though we ask folks to remember that anyone 14 and older may be on the site. Where folks have gotten in to trouble is when they post an obscene word in their avatar (which can be seen by anyone across the entire site) or post the F-word in all caps in the middle of a discussion. Obscenity in the course of a valuable discussion is one thing...just saying it for the shock value isn't really helping anyone. Thoughts? Unfortunately, nudity is generally not allowed on the site because, well, frankly many other members complain about it when they see it. We can get more technical about what consistutes actual nudity, but I thought I'd just get this started.
9) COPYRIGHTED CONTENT: We can get in big trouble if we don't take down copyrighted content, when notified by the copyright holder. I think you all get that.
Ok, that's just a start. Thoughts?
doug
Generally speaking, any topic is OK on DS unless:
1) COMMERCIAL MESSAGES: Users are posting messages promoting products from which they materially benefit.
2) INTERFERING WITH THE FLOW OF CONVERSATION: We had a problem a few weeks ago when a member posted hundreds of topics within a few minutes. It destroyed the flow of the community. Not OK.
3) PERSONAL INFORMATION: DS strongly advises against the posting of personal information (email addresses, phone numbers, addresses) and may delete that if posted. This is done only for your safety.
4) RELIGION: DS is non-denominational and while we think religion is an important part of healing, imposing your religious beliefs on others is not ok. As an example, we do not permit religious folks from entering our Gay and Lesbian forums with the intention of "curing" or otherwise fixing the members there.
5) PERSONAL ATTACKS: Now this is where most folks get tripped up, so let's see if we can come up with something useful. A threat of violence against another member is unacceptable. Example: "I'm going to kill you" or "you should die". Debate about all kinds of subjects is fine, but attacking an individual is not. As an example, if you and I disagree about abortion, we can attack each other's position and claims, but it is NOT acceptable for me to say "You're an idiot! You deserve to die!"
6) ATTACKING A GROUP: Obviously, attacking or insulting a group (race, religion, etc) is also unacceptable.
7) WHAT'S OK WHERE: Forums are public places and require the strictest interpretation of our rules. Journals are more oriented towards personal communication. Journal comments, hugs and private messages are the place where we often see personal attacks, and that's obviously not OK.
8) OBSCENITY / PROFANITY: Generally speaking, we're not sticklers for curse words, though we ask folks to remember that anyone 14 and older may be on the site. Where folks have gotten in to trouble is when they post an obscene word in their avatar (which can be seen by anyone across the entire site) or post the F-word in all caps in the middle of a discussion. Obscenity in the course of a valuable discussion is one thing...just saying it for the shock value isn't really helping anyone. Thoughts? Unfortunately, nudity is generally not allowed on the site because, well, frankly many other members complain about it when they see it. We can get more technical about what consistutes actual nudity, but I thought I'd just get this started.
9) COPYRIGHTED CONTENT: We can get in big trouble if we don't take down copyrighted content, when notified by the copyright holder. I think you all get that.
Ok, that's just a start. Thoughts?
doug
As for removing posts, again an explanation for be given if helps stop confusion.
We should report post that are not appropriate or causing problems and not contribute to them.
I just find it so sad that I came here to deal with my sons death and in this short time I have been here things are so out of control.
I just don't know what to think or say and I am not Doug so I can imagine how frustrated with all of this.
I'm just tired it's been a long day....
Thanks for everything you are trying to do Doug.
Izzie
again, if someone is banned, i think we all have a right to know why
if a thread is removed, let us know so we can modify our behavior
we can only make it our own and keep the focus where it should be if we understand what you guys are doing..the chaos this afternoon was primarily in not understanding what was going on
6) ATTACKING A GROUP: Obviously, attacking or insulting a group (race, religion, etc) is also unacceptable.
we are a group of people who suffer from a mental illness
Personal attacks - oh is this a mine field! Who defines what is an attack? Some attacks are so visible, no-one would call it anything other than abuse. One of the problems I have experienced on this site is those members who attack with sarcasm, this is not addressed, emotions fester, and ppl respond. This is why some ppl think there IS favouritism on here...some ppl behave appallingly and nothing happens, other people step out of line once, or do something less severe but are banned?
I think as CSN said, we as members need to also 'own' this site, our voices need to be heard. Moderating a depression board is always going to be fraught with issues, boundaires are skewed, emotions are high, pain is evident. We also need to define what support is... is it only talking about depression? is it humour? is the simple fact of reaching out to others and talking about general things to curb feelings of isolation?
There are an awful lot of issues here Doug, and it is going to take a while to come to a happy medium. One of the most important issues for me is GROUP DYNAMICS, and if you have any pscyhologists on board who are familiar with this, maybe they can give some input. Without DS providing strong boundaries, these issues are just going to re-occur.
One thing that does interest me, is this kind of thing hardly happens on the bipolar board, and yet that is seen as a more potentially 'volatile' illness????
*sorry I know this has been a ramble, and I have heaps more to say, lol...*
Personal attacks - oh is this a mine field! Who defines what is an attack? Some attacks are so visible, no-one would call it anything other than abuse. One of the problems I have experienced on this site is those members who attack with sarcasm, this is not addressed, emotions fester, and ppl respond. This is why some ppl think there IS favouritism on here...some ppl behave appallingly and nothing happens, other people step out of line once, or do something less severe but are banned?
I think as CSN said, we as members need to also 'own' this site, our voices need to be heard. Moderating a depression board is always going to be fraught with issues, boundaires are skewed, emotions are high, pain is evident. We also need to define what support is... is it only talking about depression? is it humour? is the simple fact of reaching out to others and talking about general things to curb feelings of isolation?
There are an awful lot of issues here Doug, and it is going to take a while to come to a happy medium. One of the most important issues for me is GROUP DYNAMICS, and if you have any pscyhologists on board who are familiar with this, maybe they can give some input. Without DS providing strong boundaries, these issues are just going to re-occur.
One thing that does interest me, is this kind of thing hardly happens on the bipolar board, and yet that is seen as a more potentially 'volatile' illness????
*sorry I know this has been a ramble, and I have heaps more to say, lol...*
OK here it is Based on what I saw today, and I can guarantee that it will not be liked. 1.You may not post anything that remotely has to do with helping others . 2. You May Only Whine about problems , Any attempt at Levity will not be tolerated. 3. Any Attempt to Connect with others here and to help them through a Crisis will be viewed as a violation of number 1. Now Doug I know that these Rules will probably not be appreciated BUT TOO BAD. Today I saw All of this and more being Deleted as Fast as it could be posted. Now I do not know what problems some of you in the Admin core have BUT for Crying out loud what Happened today was absolutely ridiculous. I have only been here a week and I have made some friends but after today I am not sure what to respond to or how to respond to it! I know your job is hard I was an Online Moderator for a Chat site before. The general atmosphere here today was IF You Have a Problem Keep it to yourself or you will get Deleted or banned. I sincerely don't think that was you had in mid with this site. SO OK make some rules and make them CLEAR enough so that even You guys can understand them and make the Admin response Useful and simple. Make sure that there is a Legitimate complaint avenue in effect. Respond to a complaint by letting the complaintant know you have received the compliant. Ruby has a point she felt ignored and she was trying suggest helpful advice to you guys, you tried to explain and apologize for that, Kudos.. Once again I do not Understand at all what happened today but I know I didn't care for it and neither most of the others.
I personally am truly thankful for DS and I treasure the many friends I have made here! Thank you Doug and DS staff!
Tere Stautner