scholarly journals Ownership, usage and interest in digital mental health technologies amongst clinicians and young people across a spectrum of clinical care needs (Preprint)

10.2196/30716 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imogen H Bell ◽  
Andrew Thompson ◽  
Lee Valentine ◽  
Sophie Adams ◽  
Mario Alvarez-Jimenez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Health Technologies

scholarly journals Ownership, usage and interest in digital mental health technologies amongst clinicians and young people across a spectrum of clinical care needs (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imogen H Bell ◽  
Andrew Thompson ◽  
Lee Valentine ◽  
Sophie Adams ◽  
Mario Alvarez-Jimenez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Young People ◽  
General Population ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
End Users ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Health Technologies

BACKGROUND There is currently an increased appetite and acceptance of technology-enabled mental health care. To adequately harness this opportunity, it is critical that the design and development of digital mental health technologies is informed by the needs and preferences of end-users. Despite young people and clinicians being predominant users of such technologies, little research has examined their perspectives on different digital mental health technologies. OBJECTIVE The current study aimed to (i) understand what technologies young people, both within youth mental health services and the general population, have access to and use in their everyday lives, and what applications of these technologies they were interested in to support their mental health; (ii) explore what technologies youth mental health clinicians currently used within their practice, and what applications of these technologies they were interested in to support their clients’ mental health. METHODS Youth mental health service users (aged 12-25) from both primary and specialist services, young people from the general population (16-25), and youth mental health clinicians, completed an online survey exploring technology ownership and use, and interest levels in using different digital interventions to support their mental health, or that of their clients. RESULTS 588 young people and 73 youth mental health clinicians completed the survey. Smartphone ownership or private access among young people within mental health services and the general population was universal (99%), with high levels of access to computers and social media. Technology use was frequent, with 64% of young people using smartphones several times an hour. Clinicians reported using smartphone apps (84%) and video chat (90%) commonly within clinical practice, and found them to be helpful. Fifty percent of young people used mental health apps, which was significantly less than clinicians (χ2 (3, n = 670) = 28.83, p < .001). Similarly, clinicians were significantly more interested in using technology to support the mental health of their clients than young people were to support their own mental health (H(3) = 55.90, p < .001.), with 100% of clinicians at least slightly interested in technology to support mental health, compared to 89.3% of young people. Follow-up tests revealed no difference in interest between young people from the general population, primary mental health services, and specialist mental health services (all Ps > 0.23). Young people were most interested in online self-help, mobile self-health, and blended therapy. CONCLUSIONS Technology access is pervasive among young people within and outside of youth mental health services, clinicians are already using technology to support clinical care, and there is wide-spread interest in digital mental health technologies amongst these groups of end-users. These findings provide important insights into the perspectives of young people and clinicians on the value of digital mental health interventions for supporting youth mental health.

scholarly journals Informing the Development of an E-Platform for Monitoring Wellbeing in Schools: Involving Young People in a Co-Design Process.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Grant ◽  
Emily Widnall ◽  
Lauren Cross ◽  
Emily Simonoff ◽  
Johnny Downs
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Development Process ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Mental Health Field ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Health Field

Abstract Background: The use of new technologies and methodologies in young people’s mental health research is needed to allow more frequent and reliable sampling. Mobile applications and e-platforms create exciting potential for the collection of large-scale cohort data, however there are various feasibility and ethical issues to consider. Consultation with young people is needed to inform the research agenda, and ensure these technologies are engaging, useful and safe. This article describes the process of Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) with a sample of young people in London, with the aim of i) informing the development of a mood-monitoring e-platform, and ii) providing feedback and advice for researchers developing web-based technologies in the mental health field. Methods: A total of 26 young people were consulted across four advisory group co-design sessions. All young people were students enrolled at one of the participating London based sixth form colleges, and voluntarily attended a workshop session. Audio recordings of the sessions were analysed using a thematic analysis framework. Results: We found that young people were engaged in discussions around mobile health technologies and valued the opportunity to collaborate throughout the early stages of the development process The advisory groups identified key considerations for future web-development work to encourage engagement and prolonged use, including, the promotion of trust and transparency, consideration of accessibility, provision of support, production of engaging and functional design, and acknowledgment of specific contextual influences surrounding young people’s wellbeing. Conclusions: Involving young people in the development process of e-health technologies contributes to optimising the successful adoption and prolonged usage of new methodologies. The thematic map and informant examples can be used to guide researchers interested in developing web-based technologies in the mental health field and will be directly applicable to the development of a mood-monitoring e-platform.

Practitioner review: Co-design of digital mental health technologies with children and young people – video abstract

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Video Abstract

Video abstract from Dr. Rhys Bevan Jones 'Practitioner review: Co-design of digital mental health technologies with children and young people'.

Preventative Mental Health Care: Accessing the Target Population

1999 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 912-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Phillips ◽  
Alison R. Yung ◽  
Narelle Hearn ◽  
Colleen McFarlane ◽  
Mats Hallgren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Psychotic Illness ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Circuitous Route ◽  
Improve Access

Objective: Preventative approaches to mental illness are becoming a focus of clinical and research settings. To date, however, few clinical programs have been established with this primary aim. This descriptive paper summarises patterns of referral to one service providing clinical care for young people known to be at high risk of developing a psychotic illness. Methods and results: A 20-month survey of referrals to the service revealed that most patients had a prolonged and circuitous route to assessment. Additionally, a lengthy time period elapsed between the onset of symptoms and initiation of help seeking. Conclusions: Information arising from this survey may influence the development of strategies to improve access to this service and others aimed at the prevention of psychosis. Further, this information may affect the development of generalised pre-ventative mental health services for young people.

scholarly journals Informing the Development of an E-Platform for Monitoring Wellbeing in Schools: Involving Young People in a Co-Design Process.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Grant ◽  
Emily Widnall ◽  
Lauren Cross ◽  
Emily Simonoff ◽  
Johnny Downs
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Development Process ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Mental Health Field ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Health Field

Abstract Background: The use of new technologies and methodologies in young people’s mental health research is needed to allow more frequent and reliable sampling. Mobile applications and e-platforms create exciting potential for the collection of large-scale cohort data, however there are various feasibility and ethical issues to consider. Consultation with young people is needed to inform the research agenda, and ensure these technologies are engaging, useful and safe. This article describes the process of Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) with a sample of young people in London, with the aim of i) informing the development of a mood-monitoring e-platform, and ii) providing feedback and advice for researchers developing web-based technologies in the mental health field. Methods: A total of 26 young people were consulted across four advisory group co-design sessions. All young people were students enrolled at one of the participating London based sixth form colleges, and voluntarily attended a workshop session. Audio recordings of the sessions were analysed using a thematic analysis framework. Results: Young people were generally receptive to e-health technologies and valued the opportunity to collaborate throughout the development process. The advisory groups identified key considerations for future web-development work to encourage engagement and prolonged use, including, the promotion of trust and transparency, consideration of accessibility, provision of support, production of engaging and functional design, and acknowledgment of specific contextual influences surrounding young people’s wellbeing. Conclusions: Involving young people in the development process of e-health technologies contributes to optimising the successful adoption and prolonged usage of new methodologies. The thematic map and informant examples can be used to guide researchers interested in developing web-based technologies in the mental health field and will be directly applicable to the development of a mood-monitoring e-platform.

scholarly journals Developing an E-Platform for Monitoring Wellbeing in Schools: Involving Young People in Setting the Research Agenda.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Ellen Grant ◽  
Emily Widnall ◽  
Lauren Cross ◽  
Emily Simonoff ◽  
Johnny Downs
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Development Process ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Mental Health Field ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Health Field

Abstract Background : The use of new technologies and methodologies in young people’s mental health research is needed to allow more frequent and reliable sampling. Mobile applications and e-platforms create exciting potential for the collection of large-scale cohort data, however there are various feasibility and ethical issues to consider. Consultation with young people is needed to inform the research agenda, and ensure these technologies are engaging, useful and safe. This article describes the process of Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) with a sample of young people in London, with the aim of i) informing the development of a mood-monitoring e-platform, and ii) providing feedback and advice for researchers developing web-based technologies in the mental health field. Methods : A total of 26 young people were consulted across four advisory group sessions. All young people were students enrolled at one of the participating London based sixth form colleges, and voluntarily attended a workshop session. Audio recordings of the sessions were analysed using a theory driven thematic analysis framework. Results: Young people were generally receptive to e-health technologies and valued the opportunity to collaborate throughout the development process. The advisory groups identified key considerations for future web-development work to encourage engagement and prolonged use, including, the promotion of trust and transparency, consideration of accessibility, provision of support, production of engaging and functional design, and acknowledgment of specific contextual influences surrounding young people’s wellbeing. Conclusions : Involving young people in the development process of e-health technologies contributes to optimising the successful adoption and prolonged usage of new methodologies. The thematic map outlines can be used to inform researchers interested in developing web-based technologies in the mental health field and will be directly applicable to the development of a mood-monitoring e-platform.

A Smartphone-Based Self-Management Intervention for Individuals with Bipolar Disorder (LiveWell): Development of an Expert System to Provide Adaptive User Feedback (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan H Goulding ◽  
Cynthia A Dopke ◽  
Tania Michaels ◽  
Clair M Martin ◽  
Monika A Khiani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Expert System ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Clinical Status ◽  
Decision Rules ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Management Intervention

BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder is a severe mental illness that results in significant morbidity and mortality. While pharmacotherapy is the primary treatment, adjunctive psychotherapy can assist individuals with using self-management strategies to improve outcomes. However, access to therapy is limited. Smartphones and other technologies have the potential to increase access to therapeutic strategies that enhance self-management while simultaneously augmenting care by providing adaptive delivery of content to users as well as provider alerts to facilitate clinical care communication. Unfortunately, while adaptive interventions are being developed and tested to improve care, information describing the components of adaptive interventions is often not published in sufficient detail to facilitate replication and improvement of these interventions. OBJECTIVE To contribute to and support improvement and dissemination of technology-based mental health interventions, this paper provides a detailed description of the expert system for adaptively delivering content and facilitating clinical care communication for LiveWell, a smartphone based self-management intervention for individuals with bipolar disorder. METHODS Information from empirically supported psychotherapies for bipolar disorder, health psychology behavior change theories, and chronic disease self-management models was combined with user-centered design data and psychiatrist feedback to guide the development of the expert system. RESULTS Decision points determining the times at which intervention options are adapted were selected to occur daily and weekly based on daily and weekly self-report check-in data on medication adherence, sleep duration, routine, and wellness levels. This data was selected for use as the tailoring variables determining which intervention options to deliver when and to whom. Decision rules linking delivery of options and tailoring variable values were developed based on existing literature regarding bipolar disorder clinical status states and psychiatrist feedback. To address the need for adaptation of treatment with varying clinical states, decision rules for a clinical status state machine were developed for use with self-reported wellness rating data. Clinical status from this state machine is incorporated into hierarchal decision tables (if-then/elseif-then) that select content for delivery to users and alerts to providers. The majority of the adaptive content addresses sleep duration, medication adherence, managing signs and symptoms, building support, and keeping a regular routine as well as determinants underlying engagement in these target behaviors: attitudes and perceptions, knowledge, support, evaluation, planning. However, when problems with early warning signs, symptoms, and transitions to more acute clinical states are detected, the decision rules shift the adaptive content to focus on managing signs and symptoms and engaging with psychiatric providers. CONCLUSIONS Adaptive mental health technologies have the potential to enhance self-management of mental health disorders. However, the need for individuals with bipolar disorder to engage in the management of multiple target behaviors and to address changes in clinical status highlights the importance of detailed reporting of adaptive intervention components to allow replication and improvement of adaptive mental health technologies for complex mental health problems. CLINICALTRIAL NCT02405117, NCT03088462

scholarly journals Practitioner review: Co‐design of digital mental health technologies with children and young people

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (8) ◽  
pp. 928-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhys Bevan Jones ◽  
Paul Stallard ◽  
Sharifah Shameem Agha ◽  
Simon Rice ◽  
Aliza Werner‐Seidler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Health Technologies

scholarly journals Improving Mood with Physical ACTivity (IMPACT) trial: a cluster randomised controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a brief physical activity behaviour change intervention on depressive symptoms in young people, compared with psychoeducation, in addition to routine clinical care within youth mental health services—a protocol study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e034002
Author(s):  
Alexandra G. Parker ◽  
Connie Markulev ◽  
Debra J. Rickwood ◽  
Andrew Mackinnon ◽  
Rosemary Purcell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Routine Clinical Care

IntroductionDepression is highly prevalent and the leading contributor to the burden of disease in young people worldwide, making it an ongoing priority for early intervention. As the current evidence-based interventions of medication and psychological therapy are only modestly effective, there is an urgent need for additional treatment strategies. This paper describes the rationale of the Improving Mood with Physical ACTivity (IMPACT) trial. The primary aim of the IMPACT trial is to determine the effectiveness of a physical activity intervention compared with psychoeducation, in addition to routine clinical care, on depressive symptoms in young people. Additional aims are to evaluate the intervention effects on anxiety and functional outcomes and examine whether changes in physical activity mediate improvements in depressive symptoms.Methods and analysisThe study is being conducted in six youth mental health services across Australia and is using a parallel-group, two-arm, cluster randomised controlled trial design, with randomisation occurring at the clinician level. Participants aged between 12 years and 25 years with moderate to severe levels of depression are randomised to receive, in addition to routine clinical care, either: (1) a physical activity behaviour change intervention or (2) psychoeducation about physical activity. The primary outcome will be change in the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, with assessments occurring at baseline, postintervention (end-point) and 6-month follow-up from end-point. Secondary outcome measures will address additional clinical outcomes, functioning and quality of life. IMPACT is to be conducted between May 2014 and December 2019.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained from the University of Melbourne Human Research Ethics Committee on 8 June 2014 (HREC 1442228). Trial findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences. Key messages will also be disseminated by the youth mental health services organisation (headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation).Trial registration numberACTRN12614000772640.

scholarly journals Using Computer Games to Support Mental Health Interventions: Naturalistic Deployment Study

10.2196/12430 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. e12430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hidde van der Meulen ◽  
Darragh McCashin ◽  
Gary O'Reilly ◽  
David Coyle
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Real World ◽  
Computer Games ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Training Support ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
The Impact

Background Recent research has highlighted naturalistic uptake as a key barrier to maximizing the impact of mental health technologies. Although there is increasing evidence regarding the efficacy of digital interventions for mental health, as demonstrated through randomized controlled trials, there is also evidence that technologies do not succeed as expected when deployed in real-world settings. Objective This paper describes the naturalistic deployment of Pesky gNATs, a computer game designed to support cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for children experiencing anxiety or low mood. The objective of this deployment study was to identify how therapists use Pesky gNATs in real-world settings and to discover positive and negative factors. On the basis of this, we aimed to derive generalizable recommendations for the development of mental health technologies that can have greater impact in real-world settings. Methods Pesky gNATs has been made available through a not-for-profit organization. After 18 months of use, we collected usage and user experience data from therapists who used the game. Data were collected through an online survey and semistructured interviews addressing the expectations and experiences of both therapists and young people. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes in the interview and survey data. Results A total of 21 therapists, who used Pesky gNATs with 95 young people, completed the online survey. Furthermore, 5 therapists participated in the follow-up interview. Confirming previous assessments, data suggest that the game can be helpful in delivering therapy and that young people generally liked the approach. Therapists shared diverse opinions regarding the young people for whom they deemed the game appropriate. The following 3 themes were identified: (1) stages of use, (2) impact on the delivery of therapy, and (3) customization. We discuss therapists’ reflections on the game with regard to their work practices and consider the question of customization, including the delicate balance of adaptable interaction versus the need for fidelity to a therapeutic model. Conclusions This study provides further evidence that therapeutic games can support the delivery of CBT for young people in real-world settings. It also shows that deployment studies can provide a valuable means of understanding how technologies integrate with the overall mental health ecosystem and become a part of therapists' toolbox. Variability in use should be expected in real-world settings. Effective training, support for therapist autonomy, careful consideration of different approaches to customization, the reporting of deployment data, and support for communities of practice can play an important role in supporting variable, but effective, use.

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