title: Online groups and patient forums.
abstract: Online mental health support forums are becoming increasingly popular and there is evidence that they are useful: particularly for providing anonymous support and filling information gaps. However, there are also very real concerns about negative outcomes for users. One online mental health service, Big White Wall, manages these risks and supports its members through the provision of 24 hour professional moderation. Comparison of Big White Wall's member population with the population of one London borough shows a diverse user group, but members are more likely to be female, and aged 25 to 34, or unemployed.
authors.affiliation: Big White Wall Ltd, 104-110 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7DH, UK, sabina.dosani@bigwhitewall.com.
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dosani
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harding
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*