Moderation Policy

Moderation Policy

Purpose
This policy explains how Help Minds Heal moderates user-generated content to keep the community safe, supportive, and lawful. It supports our duties to act proportionately on illegal and harmful content.

Scope
This policy applies to all areas of the Service, including posts, replies, profile content, usernames, avatars, images, links, and any other user submissions.

Community standards
We expect respectful, supportive discussion. The following is not allowed: harassment, hate or discrimination, threats, doxxing or sharing personal information, sexually explicit content, content that encourages harm, spam, scams, illegal activity, or anything unlawful under UK law.

How moderation works
Content is moderated using a combination of user reports and moderator review. Moderators may review public content and act on reports. Automated systems (such as spam filtering) may be used to help detect obvious abuse, but final decisions may involve human review.

Reporting content
Users can report content using the report tools on the Service or by contacting the moderation team. Reports should include enough detail to explain the concern. False or malicious reporting may itself lead to moderation action.

Moderator actions
Depending on severity and context, moderators may take one or more of the following actions: remove or edit content, lock or move discussions, issue warnings, place users under moderation, temporarily suspend accounts, permanently ban accounts, and restrict features (such as posting or messaging).

How decisions are made
Moderation decisions are based on the content, context, user behaviour patterns, and the safety of the community. We aim to act proportionately and consistently. Some topics may be allowed if discussed safely and supportively, but content that encourages harm or targets others is not permitted.

Timelines
We aim to review reports as promptly as reasonably possible. Higher-risk reports (threats of violence, self-harm encouragement, doxxing, illegal content) are prioritised.

Appeals and disputes
If content is removed or action is taken against an account, the user may contact us to request a review. We may uphold, amend, or reverse a decision at our discretion. Not all decisions will be debated publicly on the forum.

Record keeping
We may keep internal records of moderation actions and reports to improve safety, prevent repeat abuse, and demonstrate compliance with our obligations.

Updates
This policy may be updated from time to time. Significant changes may be communicated to users where reasonable.