Who runs this set of forums?

Though I've tried, I've been unable to find any documentation anywhere on this site indicative of what organization and/or individual is responsible for psychforums. It seems to me that, given the extreme sensitivity of the topics discussed here - and the fact that I've seen many cases of misinformation and destructive statements, sometimes posted by 'moderators' - it would be essential to divulge the nature of oversight, the degree of professional participation and the set of beliefs/agendas driving oversight of the forums.

Because this information is not readily available, it seems that participation here is akin to putting our (psychological) lives in the hands of faceless strangers. This does not seem safe nor advisable. I'm concerned that a very fragile, and in some cases desperate, set of people are coming here for help, guidance and support, and that, in some cases, further damage is being done to them by their participation here. Certainly, they are often being subject to abuse and taunts, and there is a surprising amount of misinformation being presented. Because those that come here are suffering psychologically, or are trying to cope with/help someone who is suffering psychologically, there is a strong tendency to believe what is said, especially when it is presented in an authoritative manner (as it often is).

I understand that this is the nature of all internet communication, but when the target audience of a site is, by definition, suffering psychological dysfunction of one kind or another, it seems all the more necessary to remove the secrecy and provide a more public face to the site.

If anyone actually reads this, please provide pertinent information as to ownership of this forum and the presence or absence of professional oversight of posts and responses.

Thanks.

I find this thread very interesting. I have wondered the same thing myself many times. As a regular visitor here, I do what I can to be supportive and sensitive to the varying degrees of severity. I am not a Psychiatrist or mental health professional. I make this clear to people. I do believe that having a large disclaimer stating that this is not moderated by Medical Heath experts would be wise though.
There is however a huge plus to what is accomplished here. Regardless of what ones illness is, their own process involves taking in suggestion at their own discretion. Even a person sitting down with a Professional councilor may choose to take or disregard the suggested course of action. There are many on here who have been abuse by Health Providers and would rather trust the advice from the every day "Joe".
HOPEFULLY this site does much more good than damage. I am not a moderator here-I imagine I would be more sticked then most-But I do believe they do their best to remove those who bully and abuse. There is always the option to report a post as well. I Have and will continue too If I come across anyone who promotes unhealthy behavior or abuse of any kind.
In a simple and humble way, the majority of us on here want to do good or find good.
I wonder about you though. Is this coming from a place of personal concern? Trust issues run deep with So So many of us.....
With Hope,
One

aFondmemory wrote:To my knowledge, no professionals reside in the ranks of the Moderators.

I'd like to see all your questions answered, as i too have seen some questionable actions by those supposed to be running this site, as most of they themselves are "psychologically damaged". I have also seen great acts of kindness though, but there are quite a few moderators, some better fitted for the position than others.

I fear though, you'll just be ignored... as past advocates of this type of question have been.

Maybe I can some of your questions aFondymemory........

This set of forums: has NEVER claimed proffesonal anything. I am sorry you missed our rules section.
If someone does not get answers for questions, it is NOT THAT THEY ARE BEING iGNORED. JEEZZE!

This is a public peer support forum. The people who run this forum, are the cats meow, me encluded, because
We donation OUR time to try and help as many as possible. We have over 25,000 members= you do the math!

You can post all the crap you want concern poster :: But of the people that donate their time here are saints.
I will not tolerate anything negative put on one of the most positive things in many peoples live.

peace out to you both,
RED

Well, okay. I guess I'm sorry I asked.

As for me, of course I have trust issues. Who doesn't? That doesn't really make any of my questions inappropriate, and any rational, reasonable 'consumer' of 'information' on the web should ask precisely these kinds of questions. My primary concern is that I have seen posters (moderators or just 'frequent' contributors) making statements that are very clearly opinion, and presenting them as fact. Yes, this is the danger of the internet, and it is the responsibility of each of us to exercise appropriate caution when reading these posts. However, many people are here because they are in tremendous pain and possibly in crisis, and are desperate for information and support. They are particularly vulnerable, and I fear that some of what they 'learn' here will add to their pain and dysfunction. I suppose this is their problem, not mine, but I still worry about them.

And I agree that it is very generous to volunteer. I do quite a bit of volunteer work, and I think everyone has some responsibility to find a way to lend a helping hand in their community (I definitely would never consider myself a 'saint' though!). But that doesn't necessarily alleviate my concerns. I'm sorry if that offends you; it certainly is not intended to.

And I still don't know who's running the show here. Who decides that someone is a 'moderator'? Who ensures that there is some balance in the forums? I certainly value feedback from others, but my brief experience here quite certainly did me more harm than good. Perhaps that makes me biased, but, again, I think my questions are reasonable and appropriate. It's okay with me if they never get answered. I was just curious, looked around for a while to try to find answers, and decided to post the question.

cmf wrote:Though I've tried, I've been unable to find any documentation anywhere on this site indicative of what organization and/or individual is responsible for psychforums. It seems to me that, given the extreme sensitivity of the topics discussed here - and the fact that I've seen many cases of misinformation and destructive statements, sometimes posted by 'moderators' - it would be essential to divulge the nature of oversight, the degree of professional participation and the set of beliefs/agendas driving oversight of the forums.

Because this information is not readily available, it seems that participation here is akin to putting our (psychological) lives in the hands of faceless strangers. This does not seem safe nor advisable. I'm concerned that a very fragile, and in some cases desperate, set of people are coming here for help, guidance and support, and that, in some cases, further damage is being done to them by their participation here. Certainly, they are often being subject to abuse and taunts, and there is a surprising amount of misinformation being presented. Because those that come here are suffering psychologically, or are trying to cope with/help someone who is suffering psychologically, there is a strong tendency to believe what is said, especially when it is presented in an authoritative manner (as it often is).

I understand that this is the nature of all internet communication, but when the target audience of a site is, by definition, suffering psychological dysfunction of one kind or another, it seems all the more necessary to remove the secrecy and provide a more public face to the site.

If anyone actually reads this, please provide pertinent information as to ownership of this forum and the presence or absence of professional oversight of posts and responses.

Thanks.

There are no professionals here on Psychforums. The administrator Seantenal created this site with a couple people as a peer on peer support forum for those dealing with particular problems.... this site is a public site... it can be seen without registration you cannot post under a guest though. Peer on peer support means (and most people generally know this who come onto forums such as this one as there are many) that it is for people sharing their issues who can communicate with others who have dealt with similar things they have also gone through... some people do use these forums for there own fun which is unfortunate but that occurs on all forums such as this one that is where they abuse, taunts etc occurs, sometimes it's from their mental health issues but again that happens on all site and does not occur only on this one.

A consumer juts means a member.

aFondmemory wrote:To my knowledge, no professionals reside in the ranks of the Moderators.

I'd like to see all your questions answered, as i too have seen some questionable actions by those supposed to be running this site, as most of they themselves are "psychologically damaged". I have also seen great acts of kindness though, but there are quite a few moderators, some better fitted for the position than others.

I fear though, you'll just be ignored... as past advocates of this type of question have been.aFondmemory wrote:To my knowledge, no professionals reside in the ranks of the Moderators.

I'd like to see all your questions answered, as i too have seen some questionable actions by those supposed to be running this site, as most of they themselves are "psychologically damaged". I have also seen great acts of kindness though, but there are quite a few moderators, some better fitted for the position than others.

I fear though, you'll just be ignored... as past advocates of this type of question have been.

No one here who runs the forums are psychologically damaged, we are all volunteers who devote their own time to helping the forums run smoothly.

There's nothing questionable about how this site is run it's been running this way for many many years, the only difference now is tha we've become more stricter then it was before.. that's it... you've only been here a short while so you see what you see in terms of how members act etc.

All the current moderators are fitted for their positions, otherwise they wouldn't be on the moderator list....


If there are any concerns etc feel free to contact mods or admins individually.... in red are administrators and green and blue moderators... some are not available but check to see whose around and pm them.

AFondMemory,

I agree that there are highly impressionable ages.. you are right... I think the forum should be set to a higher age but the site has been the way it's been for so long and I doubt that it will change other then we watch certain posters.

I know not everyone really reads the rules of the site, but we do tell members who ask about professionals that there are none here.... but I do understand your point.

I also agree that those here that claim to want help don't, and they do stir up problems, but unfortunately that's for all sites such as this one... all we can do is try to keep an eye on things and ban when it is needed.

I probably shouldn't butt in here, though anyway....

Some people seem to get the impression that sites on the internet are somehow supposed to be controlled or official in some capacity, by virtue of it being on the internet, somehow. But that is not the case.

Anyone can make a site, and put anything they want on it, set their own rules, choose their moderators, and so on. Within the limits of law of course.

One shouldn't expect any kind of safety or official nature in any website, unless it is explicitly stated in writing with credentials. Pretend you are walking into a room full of people you don't know in real life, even knowing that it might be some form of support group but you don't know who any professionals are there, if there are any. Does that mean we shouldn't talk? No... but it does mean we might want to be careful about what we say and take any advice with a grain of salt at the least, just like you would do with acquaintances. It isn't abnormal, just the perception seems different behind a computer screen.

gwilly, I think we're all aware of how the internet works; I think it's laughable to suggest that anyone thinks "that sites on the internet are somehow supposed to be controlled or official in some capacity". That is precisely the point.

I was simply trying to determine who owns this site, and whether there were any reasonable controls in place regarding oversight and monitoring. No one is talking about car repair here, or knitting. We're not even talking about alternative treatments for cancer or diabetes or heart disease. We're talking about extremely serious psychological issues, and people dealing with these issues are by their nature more susceptible to some of the usual perils of the internet. I, for one, do not want to subject myself to bullies, misinformation and cruelty any more than is absolutely necessary; so I will vote with my (virtual) feet.

Butterfly Faerie wrote:If there are any concerns etc feel free to contact mods or admins individually.... in red are administrators and green and blue moderators... some are not available but check to see whose around and pm them.

How many moderators are active?

there should be a list posted on the forums....

Here it is: announces/topic43798.html

we may have to update it though