Suggestions: Venting Forum

I propose that a forum be added to allow us to talk about our personal lives, maybe get something off of our chests.
There would need to be real rules for this forum, because plenty of people deal with bullying, self-injury, depression and other serious things, and some topics could become offensive.
Something like this could exist in 'Chatterbox', but if one would want to avoid potentially depressing subjects, a separate forum would make this easier.
If this were to be added, here are a few suggested rules:
• No accusing one another of doing it 'for attention'; be sensitive and remember that you are talking to real people with real problems.
• Proceed at your own risk--while all GBMP rules must be followed in the section, some topics may be offensive or depressing.
• Avoid mentioning other members by name.
• If you are mentioned by name and you feel that you have been provoked or violated in any way, contact a staff member immediately. Do not respond to the thread unless you are certain that you will do nothing to escalate the situation.
• People who create topics here are in genuine need of help. Do not mock them or purposely be insensitive or rude.
• Do not browse the topics if you are easily offended and unprepared for discussing real life problems.

If this section is added, please do not use these rules word-for-word without linking me, as they are from my own website.

Thoughts?

I personally dislike depressing topics and haven't really seen much demand for such a section so I'm not really keen on the idea but I may pass it through the Mods.
Also, "If you are mentioned by name and you feel that you have been provoked or violated in any way, contact a staff member immediately. Do not respond to the thread unless you are certain that you will do nothing to escalate the situation." - It makes it seem like it's going to be a gossiping session. E.g: "Aiyana hurt my feelings! She called me smelly" or "A user from here called me Big fat Howly!" orr something hahahaha. I mean, if users are being bullied or have issues on the forum, they should feel they can contact Aiyana, Misery, I or another forum staff member who will help resolve it. I don't want users being bullied or harassed then posting it there because the issue should not be discussed with everyone in the forum. If the issue is between two users, it should be resolved and talked through in a mature manner. Not posted on a thread which would merely fume the fire.

I feel perhaps.. Predicaments may arise with this section added. A conflict of interest.

Example: One user feels strongly against a particular thing, perhaps the colour pink. Another user may comment and feel strongly about the colour pink and feel it is a good colour. There, instant conflict of interest. Times this basic scenario with something you may feel very strongly about, something real and maybe even sensitive to you. Would you be able to restrain yourself from commenting and defending this belief or this particular thing that you feel so strongly about? Perhaps, but, perhaps not. Keeping in mind that not all users would have a great deal of self control. But, because I feel strongly about something, it doesn't mean I'm easily offended and.. Humans are humans. The second you tell them not to do something, what are they going to do?

On the other side, I think this idea would be good. Sometimes you need someone to talk to, sometimes you just want to rant. But, that's usually what a quick PM to Jason will do. At least, that's what I do. Or a rage in the chatbox with whoever is there. It is a good idea, but.. I'm not really into feelings and emotions and things. But, I am prepared to help. I agree with Jason in the sense that if a user is being bullied - whether that be in RL or RP, having issues at home, depressed, unhappy or whichever..Just, flick me a PM. I'm more than happy to help, give my own advice and personal experiences or even just listen. But, perhaps a whole thread with emotions is a bit too overwhelming. It is a good idea, but, I thought it over and it seems the cons would out-weigh the pros. Plus, I cannot imagine Jason wanting to sit around and moderate topics about girly emotions. Gotta' think of the males, too.

Yes, I can understand both of your concerns. I am going to offer a final argument though. If after this, it still seems like a bad idea, then who am I to argue?

Issues about the forum itself or its users I don't see occurring; this is a fairly peaceful site and I think most of us here have enough sense to stay calm in a provoking situation, as well as the ability to think through what we say before posting it.
Of course there could be an additional rule to avoid on-site conflicts altogether: "If you would like to talk about an on-site conflict involving another user, do not post it here. Contact a staff member and do your best to resolve the conflict peacefully."

I feel that a forum like this would help users be more open with each other and actually prevent further conflicts from arising. This would be a forum where personal opinions and real life situations are discussed. Members are warned that if they aren't prepared to deal with someone else's real problem, they should avoid this section. If someone felt the need to vent and did it in the 'Chatterbox', one would not have a warning if the topic was about something depressing.

This relates more to me than to the suggestion itself. Feel free to skip.:

Thanks for reading, and if it still doesn't seem like a good idea, I won't argue after this post.

I personally don't think the forum should have an "issues" section to talk about personal stuff because I think that is an "unhealthy" approach for this forum. I don't even like the small discussions about i very much...  AND talking about personal life, I think, would be completely inapropriate on a forum where you Role Play a cat or wolf. I think the topic would be totally out of place, but I can't be for sure.

Also, if you are having serious issues, you probably do not need to confide yourself in strangers on the internet. Keep in mind that, on here, there is no such thing as privacy. If you need help, you probably need to look into the un-virtual world for it, not to someone halfway across the country, or so they say. If it is a problem on this site, like Howlers said, you should probably contact an admin or reliable staff member, not discuss or gossip about it.

Finally, even though the users who dont want to read the topic can choose not to, it can still make them feel uncomfortable and unsettled,( I have been on sites like this). And as for those who do read the topic, it might make them upset, or make their problem worse.

I personally dont like the idea of the topic on this forum because of personal experience. (No offense at all to you because you are awesome ) I think that it would set an "unhealthy" tone upon the site, that it is not the safest, nor the most appropriate, and I would rather the topic stayed off of our site.
But don't just quit your arguement because of me :3. I am just one person with one personal opinion, See what others think, take a poll, don't let me rain on anyones parade.

I really appreciate your opinion, Flare and I'm glad you chose to comment and I do agree with the fact that it may set an healthy tone on the site as well as upset a few users or make them uncomfortable. I honestly don't mind real personal information shared. Heck, I share personal information and even give my real name to users and around here.. I have all the Mods added on facebook plus a few extras. I'm not against the sharing of personal info, it's how you make friends sometimes. But, I don't like this idea. So, I'm not going to accept it. Sorry. Perhaps it would work for other forums, but, not for GBMP.

Thanks! I think communicating and staying in touch is just dandy!  I kind of exaggerated on the part about privacy to make a point. :3 But when it is about extremely stressful and unhappy things and only that... I don't think it is needed.  

Magpie, thanks for the idea, and I am sorry we didn't get to use it for this site.

Hahahaha. Good idea, but, not for us.

Aye aye, sir!
Thanks for your consideration.

It's finee. Thanks for the suggestion!