Community guidelines

How discussion works here. These are enforced, not aspirational.

The confidentiality rule

• Never post anything that could identify a client, patient or participant. That includes names, initials with context, ages combined with location, dates, diagnoses combined with unusual circumstances, images, and quotes distinctive enough to be recognised.
• This rule is absolute. It applies even in a members-only community, even in a private message, and even when the person has consented, because consent given to you is not consent given to an internet platform.
• Material that breaks it is removed immediately and reviewed afterwards.

Professional discussion

• Disagree with the argument, not the person.
• Cite claims where a citation exists. "There is evidence for this" is not evidence.
• Say when you are speaking outside your competence.
• Do not diagnose anyone, including public figures and other members.

Members of the public

• People who are not clinicians are welcome to read and to ask questions.
• Do not give individual clinical advice to someone describing their own situation. Point them to appropriate services instead.
• If someone posts about being in crisis, do not attempt to treat them in a comment thread. Report the post so it reaches moderation, and share crisis resources.

What gets removed

• Anything identifying a client.
• Harassment, hate, or targeting an individual.
• Medical misinformation and dangerous advice.
• Fake credentials or impersonation.
• Spam, recruitment and self-promotion outside the areas for it.
• Content that appears designed to distress rather than to inform.