Moderators need support too , okay?

Hi all.

Many moderators have brought it to the attention of the administration forum that when we write topics about our issues we seem to get no responses?

We are here voluntarily to help in any way we can because mental health is close to our hearts and our homes.

I would like to ask a big favor, if yo usee a moderator topic, say in the index as last post , don't assume it is a response to a topic, it may be a new topic. We need support too. we are human. We are not paid for what we do, we care.

WE have a close community here and the moderators are here to basically keep the peace (you all know what I mean) and to give resources to help you in your searches for imfo and your hope.

We are not leaders or authority figures. We are just like you , that have taken our time to help others. Please help us too.


My deepest gratitude, and please don't think that you don't have valuable input that could help us just get thru the day. our volunteer work can be stressful but fulfilling. But we give up alot , such as support when we volunteer.

Thank you all for you concideration and your concern, dd


This is written at the request of all moderators in need of support.

I didn't realize that moderators were having a problem getting responses.

My criteria for reading are first that I visit the categories that I have experience in first. Often my reading doesn't go any further than that. I respond if I have a similar experience, or feel that something that I have done has helped me to cope. I also try to respond if there is a post that is in those areas that hasn't been acknowledged.

Sometimes time constraints keep me from writing something. I never view any poster here as being more expert than another. We all need help sometimes. And I don't dislike anyone here, I don't know anybody here.

I will try to be more aware of unanswered posts by moderators now that I realize there is a concern.

Everything all of you do is appreciated by most if not all of us here. Keep up the good work.

I try to save my issues for my sessions with my T...but it is nice to be able to come here and occasionally post....and receive some replies.

Sweetngentle

Well said Ddee

I guess to be honest...lately I see more responses from moderators in reply to people then I do from moderators seeking support....I do what one of the others here said....I go first to where my needs are...then I go to other areas on the board that may not necessarily be a direct affect for me but to see if I can help none-the-less...sometimes I feel I might have some input and sometimes not. I guess I have never felt that the title "moderator" implies anyone on the board is above anyone else....I've always felt from other boards I've been on it does just what you said....it gives you the status that you are watching over a particular forum in that you are making sure no one is using the forum inappropriatly...and that maybe you have been sought out by founder of the board as someone who is good at providing the community w/ great resources maybe more so then the general community...not so much that you are better then anyone here (mind you not implying that you or other moderators think you are better then others here!! ) I think we all feel we fit together in the same general group....although if you want my take on things....outside of having a label of moderator...I find having labels of "consumer such and such" is pretty unnessary. But whatever. Either you are a "guest" because you have chosen not to be a permit member of the board, or you have a specific "log in" name, or you have a name w/ the title "moderator" under it.

Are you really sure it's so much the title moderator or do you think it's possible that this falls under the same issue that others often complain about where they feel like they don't get enough response? Seems like time and time again people are complaining that they don't get enough feedback...whether they are moderators or just a consumer (or guest). My personal opinion, though I really love this board, is that the topics are spread way to thin here. I think it would really benfit people better if topics were downsized and consolitdated more. If there were less places for people to go I think people would see a lot more responses to their posts and you'd see a lot more traffic here. Again...it's just my personal opinion based on what I've seen out on other boards.

Not sure if I've helped or not. But if I can and when I see your posts I will do my best to help! Take Care - Angel

Angelicwhipsers

personally for me I have to say yes. Because personally before I became a mod I got replies, and now I seem to not be getting any.

It can be a bummer because I rarely post and when I do it for support but sometimes it feel like my post is getting ignored because of the title?

I know some people have had this problem. But I think we have fixed it.

Angelwhispers.

I agree this is a big forum. I came here from compuserve, which you would think would be huge but it was formated asp. with threads and was so much easier to follow, more lettery.

It was easy to follow and one person might get 5 letters over to the right, and you knew those letter were to that person cuz they were connected by a thread, but the point was it was small and the topics were started by the members rather than laid out to be filled in and followed.

That forum retired.
I came here and it was hard to follow and I got the hang of it eventurally, but still find it hard to keep with the whole forum every day. shoo.

I am sure I miss many letters. Tho I don't have to read them all, in order to keep peace , if I don't and miss one, ouchaolo. My bad.

No moderators are people too. we just volunteer to watch the boards and keep it running smoothly. And answer post when we can, that are left unanswered. We try to provided resourses, and imfo. And a few more tasks.

I appreciate all of you for taking the time to read this and for your responses, this is not directed at any one person, and no one is expected to answer any post. This is a couresty poll.

We are always looking for anwers that can't just be answered with one persons answer, and all of our members opinions and suggestions are important.

I may talk to Sean about a suggestion box. ouch.

Have a great day

Some people are meant to be stronger than others I guess, even if they suffer too. Just an idea though. I suffer too, before of a "half crazy" relative, but I kind of found the guts to remain sane, not really need much to talk about my problems (actually you would probably never be able to tell what they are or if there are) and still to be in position and have the time and "psychological reserves" to support other people when I have the chance. I see the moderators this way, like they are more able to go through "hell", unbalanced minds, not ordinary lifes and situations etc.

I guess the main reason I serve as a moderator is that my friends have told me I have to give it away to keep it. AA saved my life. I give a lot back to AA, but I need a way to give in the area of mental health. The forums give me a chance to remember how I used to be and how I could be, but for the grace of God.

I am not a professional, but deep in my heart I believe that people need someone to listen to them and to give them support. The depressed and the bipolar can be quite lonely and isolated. I went many years before I saw anyone who had any kind of life after having had mental illness. So, I can share my experience, strength, and hope with my fellow sufferers. Maybe they too have never seen anyone live a happy life after mental illness.

I'm also upset that most people are led to believe that pills are the only option availabe for the treatment of mental illness. For most people, pills are quick, easy, and effective--but a certain percentage of people have difficulty with most medications. My mental illness was a soul sickness that was arrested with 12 step programs.

I guess that posting on a forum has some definite advantages. One is total ananimity. We can ask a question which we feel embarrassed about. We can find someone who understands. When I was crazy, I had no one to talk to. Sometimes our environment does not provide much tolerance.

Jim S

Well I'm fairly new here and I didn't realize that moderators didn't get support like everyone else.

That sucks.

I don't know why, but if anyone has a concern I feel it should be dealt with.

My .02 cents CDN.