Help Center

1. Click Join in the top right corner.
2. Enter your email address.
3. Click CONTINUE.
4. You'll receive a verification email. Verify your email address by clicking the link in the email we sent you. Check your spam if you do not receive the email.
5. Read and scroll to bottom of Terms of Use, and click AGREE & CONTINUE.
6. Choose a username. Your username is the nickname that represents you and that is visible to other members.
   • You do not have to use your real name if you wish to remain anonymous.
   • Usernames cannot be changed. Create a username that you'll like a year from now.
   • Shorter usernames are better (10 characters or less).
7. Choose a unique password.
8. Select your language preference.
9. Keep the box checked that says “Receive emails related to activity and events on Mayo Clinic Connect.” to receive alerts about activity on the site (recommended).
   • You can change your notification preferences in your Account Settings at any time.
10. Click Activate Your Account.

Congratulations. You are now a registered member of Mayo Clinic Connect.

Next steps: Learn how to Follow a Support Group and Take Part in a Discussion.

If you're already have a Connect account, here’s how to sign in to your account.

1. Click Sign In in the upper right.
2. Enter your email and password.
3. Click Sign In.

Next steps: Learn how to Update Your Profile and Take Part in a Discussion.

1. Select Support Groups.
2. Click Follow for updates beside the support group or groups you find interesting.

To unsubscribe and no longer receive notifications about a support group, click Following.

Next Steps: Learn about the email digest and how to Set Notification Preferences.

1. Select Support Groups.
   
2. Click a support group that interests you and scroll to review recent discussions.
3. Click the title of a discussion. This will take you to the discussion thread where you can read all the messages.
4. Click Comment and write your message.
   • @mention any members you'd like to specifically reply to
   • Stay on topic. Or start a new discussion if you'd like to talk about something different in the group.
5. Click Comment to publish your post.
   

Next Steps: How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe from a Discussion and Set Notification Preferences.

TIP: Before starting a new discussion, you may want to use Search to see if there is already a discussion for your topic or question that you can join. Learn How to Search on Connect.

1. Select Support Groups.
2. Click a support group that interests you.
3. Scroll the list of recent discussions or Search discussions to see if your question has been asked and answered by other members in the support group.
4. Click Start a new discussion.
   
5. Ask a question
   
   • Phrase your topic as a question or describe the topic in brief to help others find your discussion easily.
6. Write your message.
   • Write your full question. Share your story, adding any relevant information to help others understand.
7. Click Post Discussion.
   

Next Steps: How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe from a Discussion and See My Activity.

As on social media sites like Facebook, X, and Instagram, Connect allows you to mention other members so they are alerted to your post.

To mention another Connect member:

1. Type "@" and member's @username.
2. Select a name from the list that appears.

When you mention a person, they will get an email notification that you mentioned them in a post. It will also create a link to the member’s profile in the message.

When another member mentions you in a discussion, you will receive an email notification and can reply.

TIP: Replies and @mentions: How do I know who is replying to whom?

Next Steps: How to Add and Edit My Profile and Subscribe or Unsubscribe from a Discussion.

You can send a private message to another Connect member or group of members.

1. Click the member's username. This will bring you to the member’s profile page.
2. Click Send Private Message.
3. Write a subject and your message.
   • You can add other members to the private message by typing their usernames in Add Recipients.
4. Click Send Message.

Note: There is a brief period where new members can't send private messages. We do this to deter spammers from spamming community members by private message and to keep the community safe.

Next Steps: How to Add and Edit My Profile

Personalize your account. Member profiles lets you tell people about yourself and helps you find others.

1. Go to your Profile.
   • Click your profile picture in the top right and select My Profile.
2. Click Edit Profile to add or edit your:
   • Name (optional)
   • Bio (Tell us about you. Max 500 characters.)
   • Profile photo (Use JPG, JPEG, JPE, PNG or GIF format. Less than 5MB in size.)
3. Click Save.

Your profile also shows the Support Groups and Blogs you follow, and the discussion you've started and comment you’ve posted. 

Next Steps: How to Set Notifications & Preferences.

Control when and how often Mayo Clinic Connect sends email notifications to you. You can change your notification preferences any time.

To find your settings

1. Click the profile image in the top right.
2. Select Settings & Preferences from the drop-down menu.
3. Scroll down to Notifications & Preferences.
4. Click +Edit beside each category and choose to receive email notifications for each post, in your digest only or to unfollow.

Next Steps: How to customize your notifications and settings and Add and Edit My Profile.

Advanced Tip: How to Filter Connect emails into an Email Folder

For some discussions, you may wish to get an email or on-site notification for every new post in real time (as they are posted). 

To get every message in your inbox or on-site notifications:

1. Go to the discussion you're interested in.
2. Click the bell icon in the bottom right of the first message.
3. Select the setting you wish.
4. Click Save Setting.

Mute a discussion
Sometimes you may wish to follow a group, but there is a specific discussion that you’re not interested in. You can stop notifications for that discussion by muting it.

Profile & Settings
In your settings, you can refine your preferences.

To find your settings

1. Click profile image in the top right. 
2. Click Profile & Settings from the drop-down menu.
3. Click the My Groups & Blogs tab to see groups and blogs you follow.
4. Click the Settings tab to edit your settings.

1. Go to your Profile & Settings.
   • Click your avatar in the top right and select Profile & Settings.
2. Click +Edit
3. Select the Turn off all email notifications checkbox.
   
4. Click SAVE.

To start receiving notifications again, simply repeat the instructions and Enable email notifications. Your previous settings will be re-instated.