Google your username - if you've ever used it before your posts here can be identified!

Ah yes, I see, you are right @anonymousfriend about the screenshot of the process when signing up. The warning about not using a username already used elsewhere is in the Guidelines on Anonymity , which I read while signing up.

About the profile only being visible to other members, I wonder if that means the full profile, with your statistics and photos, etc.? Not the username?

---

@anonymousfriend wrote:
Instead you make people email you, which exposes their real identity to your team

---

I want to point out here that I'm not a member of the SANE moderation or management teams, so you are not emailing me at all. I'm just a peer supporting member who suffers from lived experience same as you. However, I think, if I can remember rightly, that I gave my real name when I signed up to be a SANE member? Just behind the scenes, I mean, as part of the sign-up process.

I do think that usernames can be searched online, as this is a public forum. I would have assumed this to be the case. I'm sorry though that you assumed differently, as it's obviously causing you grief. 😞

I'm wondering if perhaps you might be in crisis at the moment? As you mentioned signing up last time due to being in crisis. I hope you are OK, @anonymousfriend .

Hi @NatureLover,

It's true that SANE is a public forum. Nonetheless I think most members probably do not understand what that means in terms of wider circulation of our personal posts.

Hey all - me again!

Just a gentle reminder to please remain mindful of our guidelines to avoid repeated criticism of services and that the best channel to continue this conversation for any members with privacy/anonymity is certainly the team@saneforums.com.

While we certainly welcome feedback, repeated criticisms of any service is a breach of our Safety guidelines (more about these here)

Of course, if you are feeling distressed and need support right now, please do not hesitate to reach out to a 24/7 crisis service such as Lifeline (13 11 14), Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467) or 000 if it is an emergency.

Thank you

Peregrinefalcon

@anonymousfriend I'm sorry that you're not OK. Can I ask if you're seeing a counsellor at the moment?

Agreed, @anonymousfriend.

By the way, I love this site. It has been incredibly helpful to me and a huge number of other people over the years.

I may often express my views in strong ways that may not sound diplomatic at times. But I believe the content of what I am saying is well-reasoned, and written in the interest of improving the site so that it can better support its members.

@anonymousfriend I totally understand how utterly draining MI (mental illness) is. I was just wondering if some counselling might help you re-establish a sense of self...I like how in sessions, my psychologist focuses on me and how I personally tick.

Would you feel able to maybe go to your GP and ask for a mental health care plan to see a psychologist? The sessions would be subsidised, up to 10 sessions a year. It wouldn't take too much mental energy, I hope, as the GP would do the work for you, and then (I'm afraid) you'll have to wait anyway to get in to see the psychologist. It may even be a 3 month wait, which is why it might be a good idea to do it now...what do you reckon?

OK @anonymousfriend . I hope you can get some mental energy, and also get in to see a counsellor. I also hope you won't give up on the forums, as they are a great place to connect and get support from peers. Please take care of yourself, @anonymousfriend .