Notice to all Members - Use of TBBD for Research Purposes

I have today, refused permission for an academic associated with a NZ University to sign up at TBBD and make contact with other members and invite them to become involved in what is essentially an email based set of questions about very specific and personal self harm histories etc as part of this academics research project.

Quite simply, involvement in this research project may leave any member involved, too vulnerable to the triggering of further episodes of self harm and inappropriate feelings and that’s not an acceptable risk or practice.

This is not just solely my view – I have spoken to a few selected members about this research proposal over the last few weeks. But the decision to refuse permission to use TBBD in this way is mine and it is not negotiable.

In my opinion the proposed ‘safety mechanisms’ for any member who participated, as suggested by the researcher are inadequate and impracticable. That enough reason for me.

There are other institutionally owned or funded mental health support and information sites, which have significant resources dedicated to helping people stay safe. The resources at TBBD are you, me and lots of coffee. That’s us, that’s the extent of TBBD Empire.

I have suggested that the student and supervisor conduct their research on institutional sites where the people responsible for the sites have appropriate resources and skills. Not just a wee bit of floor space between the couch and the fridge, which is us.

I am not opposed to the idea of challenging, safely conducted, best-practice models of mental health research per se.

And I’m not suggesting that the researcher or supervisor had anything but the best of intentions. Except, as I see it their priorities, are a Pass Mark, and maybe something in some academic publication eventually. My priorities are, we stay alive and don’t hurt ourselves any more than we absolutely must.

I am totally opposed to us being any more hurt than we already are and the ‘safety nets’ proposed by this researcher would not have helped you enough. Trust me. ‘Cos in part, they involved telling me as site admin if someone has a problem consequential to participating in the research project, so that I can help patch you up somehow.

I can’t even keep myself well at times, so NO WAY. I’m just me. I am not a social worker or psych nurse or doctor or anything special – I’m just a bloke who in 1976 got School Certificate in Animal Husbandry and who years later thought that something like TBBD might be a good idea. Hmmm.

No person has permission to quiz you or to invite you to take part in any study, as a result of your being a member of our TBBD community and family. No one.

If that rule changes, I’ll let you know, promise.

Till then, if anyone does sign up here and tries to involve you in any research or other project that doesn’t feel quite like what we do here at TBBD, which is mutual peer support, please PM me as Admin. I reserve the right to cancel any Membership here at any time for any reason and that would do it, for sure.

Thanks, and stay safe and happy you lot, cos I can’t do it all for you, sorry. I wish, but I can’t.

Pat Quinn.

Founder – Site Administrator
TBBD Message Board & Chat Room.

Hi Pat..

Thanks for refusing permission.. and keeping the site for people, not research, etc...

Thanks again..

Paddy..your doing the right thing. if we felt that 'researchers' could wander in here when they liked and ask questions...then many would not feel comfortable letting their thoughts and feelings out so openly and honestly.

agree shadows mum - so good to see you back.

I am sure I have traded with you on trade me? You have children?

Thanks Paddy.
If you haven't realised, you have just kept us safe and we are happy for it.. So you can do it for us, just in different ways

mylife..yep, i do go on trade me. haven't been there much in the last 7 or 8 months. and yes i do have teenagers.

think I might have brought clothes off you! for the boys

quite possible my life......my user name on T Me is the same as here...shadowsmum.

Good decision made I think.

However, I doubt that this person's research would have passed his/her ethics committee either!

Yes Good On You Paddy.

Good on you Paddy

This is knowledgeable news about dogs...i think everyone should read this.

is it kind of project are you doing???