@s-jay + everyone
I arrived at the sane forum at the start of 2017 in the midst of a crisis.
I came across the forums by chance when looking for information on ECT but then started reading peoples stories.
I initially signed up specifically to respond directly to (and in support of) something I felt strongly about.
The hardest part of signing up was finding a suitable user name.
I think the introduce yourself thread was there but I just launched in with a discussion topic that was causing me distress at the time. The opportunity to `vent` to people who actually understood was most therapeutic and the main motivation for joining.
Because I spent a lot of time reading different threads before getting the courage to join in I already had a good idea about how it worked before I started. As far as my first real discussion @Former-Member was a huge help in starting a new thread in line with my concerns and in giving feedback to my concerns and fears at the time.
Having already linked with someone made it easier to join in. The thing I love most about the forums is the willingness to help and support each other despite all of us having troubles of our own.
I believe ti is the willingness of forum members to engage with new comers is what makes it work. For me talking about my wife in what to me felt like a negative way was the biggest barrier, (being anon helps with that) but quickly discovered no one was going to judge me or my wife who I love as while individual circumstances vary our emotions are relatable.
As far as the first thread created, this was for a direct question relating to treatment so I emailed sane first for clarification on guidelines, the response was prompt and most encouraging, as a result I also did a similar post on the LE side. The support and encouragement I received was invaluable. There was also encouragement before this from @Shaz51 and @Former-Member to create a my story. encouragement of others is what was needed at that time.
I believe each and every individual member is the biggest strength of the forums. The support here gave me the strength to keep my head up through some dark times for my family. One thing I do miss is that I think the mods were a lot more visible with joining in on discussions when I first started to now, particularly the social threads, mods are just as special as the individual members as they are what make this space possible.
I think support services are becoming more aware and recommending the forums more which is great.
I almost choked on my coffee at a recent consult with a uni councillor when she told me all about sane and pulled up one of my threads and posts as an example of someone I could connect with 
As far as what may make it easier for newcomers based on what I have observed from new comers, I think a clear link on the home page to a page that is more visual than words that
1. Clearly spells out the most important guidelines, (anon, cant talk about med name or doses etc).
2. Link to introduce yourself page. (suggested 5 questions to answer as an icebreaker?)
3. Procedure to create a post, tag someone etc. (lots of people it seems don`t understand tagging to start with).
Keep up the good work.
