New mental health thread

I think a separate group, whatever you choose to call it, is a good idea.

When a separate group for Bereavement was suggested, there were many posts saying it was unnecessary.
Yet it has seemed to be well-used, so is useful for some.

Looking at the Bereavement group, there are thread titles which don't make it obvious they are about bereavement so those topics could get lost if that group didn't exist.

I think the same is true for Mental Health.

There are a few topics whose groups overlap.

I think a specific mental health one is a good idea

Rowantree it looks like we are in firm agreement after all!

Fanny I do get your points, though, and agree with the fluidity thing. I'm repeating myself, but it would provide another option for anyone who wants it and for those who don't, there's the general Health forum :-)

To be honest, after all of that, I can definitely see arguments for and against.
I feel strongly about MH, but I don't think that it would matter greatly if there was or wasn't a separate MH board / forum / forum topic etc

Fanny yeah, but...no, but....if you don't want to post in it, then you can post where you usually do - nothing coercive about it, surely? Just another option for some. I am also very much in the MH camp, and while I agree that it needs to be more widely discussed and accepted, it's still good to have the opportunity for specific support, info and discussion for those who wish it.

Marydoll yes, completely agree.

Rowantree

Why on earth would it stigmatise mental health? Sorry, I don't get it. It's being open about it, surely.

I find it quite difficult to articulate, so bear with me.
It's like the world is split between those with MH difficulties and those who don't. A bit like disabled / able bodied.
I put myself very much in the MH camp, and I know others are firm in the non MH camp.
But things aren't like that - things are more fluid.
The non MH people can be very reluctant to accept that they, or loved ones, are experiencing difficulties.
MH needs to be accepted as part of everyone's experience.

Fanny I'd welcome the chance to look through specific mental health threads in a dedicated forum. Others might or might not agree but it'd be there for those who want to access it. The range of topics is potentially vast.

To get back to the topic, a mental health heading may be a good idea, and make the topic more accessible. There are so many physical health threads, its sometimes hard to find information.

Wow! This thread is moving really fast!
(Thanks Rowantree for your support)

Why on earth would it stigmatise mental health? Sorry, I don't get it. It's being open about it, surely.

Humph!
(crosses arms and looks the other way)

All right, Fanny, 'board', then!

Actually, should it not be Fora ? ?

I suggested it in the Black Dog thread. I meant a whole new forum, not just a thread. That way those of us who have mental health issues, or whose family members or friends do, can look for relevant threads more easily.
What's the problem with that? You don't have to post on it or read it if you don't wish to. There are forums (fora??) for just about everything else.

fanny I m going to outmanoeuvre you ??? because if you click on the word FORUM at the top of your screen up come all the various categories or groups as you are calling them but gransnet actually does call them forums so bathsheba is correct

Sorry Bathsheba, I'm going to out pedant you!
It's a 'board'. Gransnet is the 'forum'.

Haha, I would agree with you - I just followed the general trend on GN to call each Forum Topic a 'forum'. This has probably come about because GN has a tab at the top called "Forums", which implies that each topic is one of those 'forums' .

And yes, I agree - separate status would only serve to perpetuate the stigma of MH, as being distinct from all other health issues.

Yes Mary- this could run and run!

Fanny, should it not be a Forum topic?
Actually I would have been the first person to post last night, but didn't understand what the OP meant. The first idea I had, was to start a new thread under health, but thought that was too simple a solution.
# Confused not very bright of Glasgow. ?

Sorry Bathsheba, I'm going to out pedant you!
It's a 'board'. Gransnet is the 'forum'.

But your argument is correct.
To have a separate MH board isn't inclusive - MH is only beginning to lose its stigma.
It needs to be seen as 'just another health issue'; one that any one can experience.

You don’t meant a new thread, you mean a new forum. But we honestly do not need a whole forum for mental health. Just start a new thread in the Health Forum, and call it Mental Health. Just as there is an ongoing thread in the Health forum for people suffering from depression - The Black Dog thread, which I believe is now in its eighth incarnation.

Isn't it due to the fact that we just have a Health option?

I can see the logic for Health and Mental Health headers

Rather like when a Covid header was introduced

Agree FannyCornforth. Health is health !

Why not just start a new thread under health?
Surely you don't need a new board for every new topic?
Sorry, if I'm being dim!