Moderation and Guidelines

Oh @Captain24 , and there's no offence there at all! Not the slightest.

@Birdofparadise8 @Zoe7 , we are actually working on a new chat system. I've tested it out and it's pretty cool. However, we are looking at the ins and outs of it so that it is implemented effectively. We also need to consider how this chat will be staffed as you can imagine, we may have an influx of people wanting 1:1 chat which would not be viable at this time.

So things are moving, and hence this co-design.

Did you see my question about the timeline for the Co-Design @tyme?

The chat service being up and running would be a good thing @tyme but I do think one on one could open up a ‘can of worms’ unless it was for a limited time. Just like the GS and the suggestions for the chat rooms.

I know the staffing of all SANE's services are difficult @tyme That is why I can see so much benefit from PSWs. Going forward, I would see CHAT as a one off scenario for a little added support and see the private messaging system to help with those in crisis. For example, I might be having a particularly tough day - may be an anniversary, a rough day at work, etc. - I could use CHAT to de-brief without bringing it to the fourms as a one off that day. But if I was having strong SI then having that extra support for maybe a few days via private messaging to get through would be invaluable.

Agree @Captain24 . That's why the chat needs to be implemented with much thought into it. We don't want to allow members to access it and then put in all these restrictions. This chat will hopefully sit within forums so members will see a little pink chat bubble pop up at the bottom of their screen. Moderators will have 'control' of the chat function.

So it's not a chat function for everyone outside the forums to use. It will sit within forums.

This is all just in the planning stage... it could also change.. not 100% sure yet.

As for the timeline @Birdofparadise8 , I myself don't have the timeline, but I'm sure there is one somewhere....

I believe SANE will run some small focus groups as part of this design process.

@Birdofparadise8 I think the peer-to-peer base of these forums is essential to keep. The new Guided Service is breaking new ground in tailoring support to individual needs and the introduction of both PSWs and the Peer Guide program are also leading the way in digital mental health. I think SANE has much more to offer but I do not see a 'counselling' role/service in the future. The reason for that is there are many other services that provide 'counselling' and SANE stands alone (presently) in the direction it is taking ie. the Guided Service, Peer Guide program, co-design and Lived Experience Advisory Committee. They all have at the heart the person and lived experience being not only heard but celebrated.

That is the intention of the chat service to sit within the forums @Zoe7 so that members are supported during a difficult period.

Yet there is the likely chance that some would want to utilise the chat function regularly which then disempowers the idea of connecting on the forums. It may also make them reliant on 1:1 support which is NOT what the chat function will be designed to do.

Any thoughts as to how we can mitigate this? Feel free to ask any questions if I haven't made myself understood.

From what I know, this chat function is 'controlled' by mods so that if moderators see someone is having a difficult time, they direct message the person ('turns on' the chat function). Yet the hard part is, how do mods know when it's okay to 'turn off' the 1:1 chat function for the member? Will it then make the member feel 'rejected'? Or what happens if a member, knowing the function will be turned off, then present with higher risk so that the chat function stays on?

These are all questions that we have to consider before making this chat function live....

Interested to hear your thoughts too about the above @Captain24 @chibam @Birdofparadise8 and anyone else

Right okay @Zoe7

Though the GS is only a program your apart of for a certain amount of time. I've been speaking to my regular at KHL for the past year and I can keep talking to her until I'm 25 if I want.

There is no other place that offers that support of the phone weekly.

There are other things that are more important I guess now.

Having the GS breaking new ground is good but it doesn't help everyone who uses SANE.

KHL is doing a trial where the counsellor can call me at the time we book so I don't have to wait on the web chat or phone.

Which is helping me now. Things with the GS aren't helping people if they don't use it.

I'm all for change, but it would be nice for it to be across the board.

What do you think?