Polite Paradise

Does anyone think or feel that a "Support" board would be good?  I know we have the "Need a Hug" space but that seems to be a catch all from "I'm having a shitty day" to "My son decided to never speak to me again" whereas I wonder if a dedicated (and more overtly moderated because of subject matter) board would be helpful for people that don't really need etiquette advice but other advice that's not a "general off topic" conversation to have.

For example:

Alcoholism
Addiction
Cancer
Loss
Depression
Self harm
Sexual Assault
Emergency financial assistance (this one is hard to vet)

and such topics as those.  If people feel this is or could be a close community and safe space I would want people to be able to open up and ask for help in their lives.  Life can be brutal and horrible and there's no reason why we, as a community, can't support those that reach out for help. 

Thoughts?

It would be a nice option for people as they feel comfortable opening up to venture into.

Too soon.
The dynamic is going to be really different here - ultimately for the better, I feel sure. But while we're all finding our feet, I've already noticed folks feel more free to be blunt and direct.

In time, I think that will build more authentic closeness, but there's going to be an adjustment period while we get to know each other in a new way.

I think I agree with CautiouslyOptimistic: it's too soon. I do like the idea, though.

I also agree with Angry Canada Goose about the posts too often becoming 'well, of course you're doing all you can' and striking a balance between supportive and hostile. Supportive is great: I mean, you only have to look at Team Land Crab from the old board to see what it can do.

I'm absolutely in favour of some limitations on posting rights, but at the same time I'm just not quite easy in my mind about it. Somewhere at the back of my mind is the word 'clique' and from there it's but a short step to 'mean girls' and we've been there already this month. Equally, we're all sharing nicely right now, but let's face it, we're going to get trolls sooner or later, because that's the nature of an online forum.

The only ways I can see to manage it would put a load of extra work on the mods. OK, start with automatic rules: X number of posts, membership of the board for Y period. But then I would want to add, say, no upheld mod referrals for breaking the guidelines (with a reasonable period for spent convictions, because anybody can have a bad Moment). Maybe you put your name down on a list to join once you're eligible, and a certain number of other posters in good standing have to approve? Automatic moderation on that board for Z number of posts, one warning and next time you're back to the main boards and have to go through the whole signup again? I'm trying not to go in the direction of all posts having to go through moderation because these are the only mods we've got, and we don't want to kill them with overwork.

On the grounds that there's no shame in admitting ignorance, what about talking to Captain Awkward? Many - most! - of the topics over there are on what might be called contentious topics, and she could probably tell us what to look for and what's a Seriously Just All The No in posting guidelines.

Cool beans!

Thanks everyone!  I appreciate all your advice and suggestions.  I'll lock this thread but keep it up for some other time down the road (if we get down the road).