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Community Guidelines (Forum & Chat Rules) – MentalConnect.ca

1. Purpose & Scope

These rules keep MentalConnect.ca’s forum and confidential chat safe, respectful, and useful. They apply to all users and professionals anywhere on our platform (web, mobile, messages, comments, reviews).

2. Our Principles

  • Respect & inclusion across cultures, languages, identities, abilities, and beliefs
  • Safety first – the platform is not an emergency service
  • Evidence-informed, non-stigmatizing mental-health discussion
  • Privacy by default (see Privacy Policy & Law 25/ PIPEDA)

3. Not an Emergency Service

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency line.

In Québec: 1-866-APPELLE (277-3553) for suicide prevention/crisis support.

4. Be Respectful - Zero Tolerance for:

  • Harassment, bullying, threats, or intimidation
  • Hate speech or discrimination (race, ethnicity, culture/origin, language, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, immigration status)
  • Doxxing (sharing someone’s private information) or targeted humiliation
  • Profanity directed at individuals/groups

5. Health Content & Advice

  • No diagnosis or treatment may be provided in public spaces. Share general information only.
  • No content that encourages self-harm, eating disorders, or substance misuse. Supportive language is allowed; share crisis resources.
  • No miracle cure claims or misleading medical claims. Cite reputable sources when sharing information.
  • Professionals must follow their licensing standards and avoid creating a professional-patient relationship in public threads.

6. Privacy & Minors

  • Do not post personal health information about yourself or others that could identify an individual.
  • Do not share private messages without explicit consent.
  • MentalConnect.ca is not intended for users under 16. Do not solicit or provide services to minors without lawful parental/guardian consent.

7. Prohibited Content & Conduct

  • Illegal activity; promotion of violence; threats; graphic gore
  • Sexual content involving exploitation or minors; sexually explicit images or requests
  • Instructions to self-harm, suicide, eating-disorder behaviors, or substance manufacture/misuse
  • Medical misinformation; anti-vaccine or conspiratorial health content presented as fact
  • Spam, scams, phishing, or fraudulent fundraising
  • Intellectual-property infringement (pirated materials, unlicensed uploads)
  • Circumventing moderation tools, ban evasion, sockpuppeting

8. Commercial Content & Promotions

  • No unsolicited ads, mass promotions, MLMs, or affiliate-link drops.
  • Professionals may share useful resources (articles, events) if clearly disclosed and non-spammy.
  • Email or message marketing must comply with CASL (express consent, unsubscribe, identification).

9. Extra Rules for Professionals

  • Use your real name and professional designation; keep your profile current.
  • Do not provide individualized care in public threads; use private channels appropriately and within scope.
  • Display license/college info truthfully; upload valid credentials as required.
  • Avoid conflicts of interest; disclose if you link to your own paid resources.
  • Follow all laws, standards, and your regulatory body’s guidelines.

10. Language & Inclusion

  • We support French and English. Be patient with language differences; avoid language shaming.
  • Respect chosen names and pronouns.
  • Use content warnings (e.g., TW: suicide, trauma) when discussing sensitive topics.
  • Cultural humility: avoid stereotypes; ask rather than assume.

11. Posting Guidelines

  • Use clear titles; tag topics (e.g., anxiety, parenting, newcomer support).
  • No personal identifiers (names, faces, addresses, medical records) without consent.
  • When sharing resources, prefer credible sources and summarize key points.
  • Add alt text for images; do not upload charts/reports that include private data.

12. Moderation & Enforcement

We use proactive and reactive moderation (humans + tools). Actions may include:

  1. Educational reminder
  2. Content edit/removal
  3. Warning (with reasons)
  4. Temporary mute or suspension
  5. Permanent ban (for severe or repeated violations)

Reporting

  • Use the Report button on posts/messages or email moderation@mentalconnect.ca 7 with links/screenshots.
  • Urgent safety concerns are prioritized.

Appeals

  • You may appeal a moderation action within 14 days at appeals@mental connect.ca 7. Include context, links, and why you believe the decision should be reconsidered.

13. Blocking & Controls

  • You can mute/block users to limit unwanted contact.
  • Moderators may restrict new accounts from posting links or files until trust thresholds are met.

14. Data Handling & Retention

  • We keep minimal logs to ensure safety and comply with law.
  • Removed content may be retained for audit/legal reasons as permitted by law.
  • See our Privacy Policy for access, correction, and deletion rights.

15. Changes to These Rules

  • We may update these Guidelines. The “Last updated” date will reflect changes. Continued use of the platform implies acceptance of the latest version.

16. Contact

  • Moderation & reports: moderation@mentalconnect.ca
  • Appeals: appeals@mentalconnect.ca 7
  • General support: support@mental connect.ca
  • Reminder: MentalConnect.ca is not a provider of medical services and not an emergency service. In emergencies, call 911.
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