Dear @medic7054, @jenapower, @marield65,

I am so sorry you are upset. I'm the Connect moderator for this weekend, and I definitely want to try and work out a solution together with you, that suits you.

Connect Is an online community where patients and families can share their experiences, find support and exchange information with people who've faced similar experiences. Every member deserves ongoing support – and at times it may go beyond health or medical support. As a moderator, I often see posts that may not be related to our group, but it could be the case where that person feels comfortable enough with the other members to "drop in" with a message or a comment. And sometimes, it may not even be a question, but perhaps a need to just participate and connect with another person.

On the other hand, I completely understand that this can be frustrating when trying to follow a specific conversation, members get put off by the interruption. You were spot on in suggesting that it may help if a moderator tries to redirect the unrelated post/comment/question.
There are some incredible conversations taking place in these groups on Mayo Clinic Connect:
– Mental Health: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/mental-health/
– Just Want to Talk: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/other/
For example, in this discussion, "Anyone Else With PTSD?" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-else-with-ptsd/, members also talk about the invaluable support and love they get from their pets.

On a personal note, with my large Indian family (imagine “Big Fat Greek Wedding"), I find that conversations go off topic all the time. That's the intrinsic nature of conversation, isn’t it? What I’ve also realized is that in those 'meandering' moments, I (sometimes) really connect with that person, maybe on a different level, or maybe on a deeper level, because I feel he/she is comfortable enough with me to “let me inside.”

@medic7054, @jenapower, @marield65, you are such an important part of this community, and you contribute to making it a welcoming, safe place. It is our sincere hope that you will continue to express your feelings, and share what’s going on at any moment – so that Connect can continue to be the supportive community that it has always been.

I hope this helps, and I apologize for being so long-winded, but thank you for bringing an important topic to our attention. Please let me know if there are any questions we can help answer. Let's keep talking.

Kanaaz