There’s An App For That: Context, Assumptions, Possibilities And Potential Pitfalls In The Use Of Digital Technologies To Address Refugee Mental Health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Goodman ◽  
Linda Tip ◽  
Kate Cavanagh
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Refugee Mental Health ◽  
The People ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
Health Support

Abstract The number of refugees is increasing (UNHCR, 2019). The experiences of refugees are linked to impaired mental health yet, this population faces barriers to accessing mental health support (Shannon et al., 2016). Digital mental health interventions are increasingly recognised as an avenue for overcoming these barriers (WHO, 2017). The present paper begins by introducing the area of digital approaches to mental health and developments in this area targeted at refugee populations specifically. We then take a step back to look at the wider picture of refugee mental health and technology. Drawing on Toyama’s Law of Amplification (2011; 2015) - that successful technical interventions amplify the intent and the capacity of the people involved - we discuss the importance of context, exploring the assumptions, possibilities and potential pitfalls in the use of digital technologies for addressing refugee mental health. We conclude that by collaborating with refugee populations, placing them at the centre of the design process for digital mental health interventions, we stand the greatest chance of creating the most useful tools.

scholarly journals Barriers and facilitators to user engagement with digital mental health interventions: A systematic review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Borghouts ◽  
Elizabeth Eikey ◽  
Gloria Mark ◽  
Cinthia De Leon ◽  
Stephen M. Schueller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Common Barriers

BACKGROUND Digital mental health interventions, that deliver mental health support via technologies such as a mobile apps, can increase access to mental health support, and many studies have demonstrated their effectiveness in improving symptoms. However, user engagement, referring to a user’s uptake and sustained interactions with these interventions, varies. OBJECTIVE The aim of this systematic review is to identify common barriers and facilitators influencing user engagement with digital mental health interventions. METHODS A systematic search was conducted of the SCOPUS, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. Empirical studies reporting qualitative and/or quantitative data were included. RESULTS 208 articles met the inclusion criteria. Included articles used a variety of methodologies including interviews, surveys, focus groups, workshops, field studies, and analysis of user reviews. Factors extracted for coding were related to the end user, the program/content offered by the intervention, and the technology and implementation environment. Common barriers included severe mental health issues that hampered engagement, technical issues, and a lack of personalization. Common facilitators were social connectedness facilitated by the intervention, increased insight into health, and a feeling of being in control of one’s own health. CONCLUSIONS While previous research suggests that digital mental health interventions can be useful in supporting mental health, contextual factors are important determinants as to whether users actually engage with these interventions. The factors identified in this review can provide guidance when evaluating digital mental health interventions to help explain and understand user engagement, and can inform the design and development of new digital interventions.

scholarly journals A qualitative exploration of 14 to 17-year old adolescents’ views of early and preventative mental health support in schools

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liam Spencer ◽  
Ruth McGovern ◽  
Eileen Kaner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Young People ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
North East ◽  
School Based ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Mental Health Interventions

Abstract Background Preventative interventions may be effective in reducing and preventing symptoms of mental ill health in children and young people. However, there is a paucity of research in this area that explores the views of young people. This paper reports on a qualitative study to inform the future development of attractive and appropriate early and preventative school-based mental health interventions. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 12 young people aged 14–17 in North East England. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, anonymised and analysed following a thematic approach. Results Four key themes were identified, relevant to those providing, designing and commissioning early and preventative mental health interventions in schools: ‘mental health literacy’, ‘risk factors for wellbeing decline’, ‘experience of school-based support’ and ‘recommendations for future support’. Conclusions Young people have varying levels of mental health literacy, but are able to identify academic stress, bullying and the transition from primary to secondary school as leading causes of worry. Young people want more regular and in-depth mental health education, tailored levels of support in school and improved training for teachers.

Exploring the acceptability of a digital mental health platform incorporating a virtual coach: The good, the bad, and the opportunities

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 146045822199487
Author(s):  
Anthony Venning ◽  
Madeleine CE Herd ◽  
Tassia K Oswald ◽  
Sabran Razmi ◽  
Fiona Glover ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
The People ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support

Digital Mental Health Platforms offer feasible options to increase access to mental health support. This study aimed to examine the acceptability of a Low Intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Digital Mental Health Platform, containing a Virtual Coach, with University Students ( n = 16) and Mental Health Professionals ( n = 5). Semi-structured interviews, exploratory focus groups, and inductive thematic analysis were conducted. Four overarching themes were identified, with potential users and professionals highlighting positive aspects, elements to be improved, and ambivalent feelings towards the platform overall. However, participants predominately expressed negative experiences indicating that the Virtual Coach was unrelatable and hard to engage with. While Virtual Coaches and similar Digital Mental Health Platforms have the potential to overcome barriers for those attempting to access mental health services, their effectiveness may be limited if the people who need them are not drawn to and then consistently engaged with them. Based on the feedback attained for this specific Digital Mental Health Platform, recommendations are provided for future developers aiming to create similar platforms, to assist in their uptake and ensure ongoing user engagement.

scholarly journals Exploring Mental Health and Illness in the UK Sports Coaching Workforce

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (24) ◽  
pp. 9332
Author(s):  
Andy Smith ◽  
David Haycock ◽  
Jon Jones ◽  
Kenny Greenough ◽  
Rachel Wilcock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Workplace Mental Health ◽  
The People ◽  
Health And Illness ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Uk

There is growing international concern about the mental health of those who work in sport, including coaches. However, we currently know little about the prevalence of mental illness and the experience of mental health among coaches, and their perceptions and use of workplace mental health support services. Little is also known about coaches’ disclosure of mental illness to, and seeking help from, work colleagues. We explore these issues using data from 202 coaches who responded to the first United Kingdom survey of mental health in the sport and physical activity workforce. In total, 55% of coaches reported having ever experienced a mental illness, and 44% currently did, with coaches in grassroots/community settings being most likely to experience mental illness. Depression and anxiety were the most commonly reported conditions and many coaches preferred to access mental health support outside of the organisation for whom they worked or volunteered, with decisions to seek help from others in the workplace being shaped by complex organisational and personal considerations. The findings suggest there is an important public health challenge which needs to be met among coaches, so that we can better address a question of fundamental importance: ‘who is looking after the people looking after the people’?

scholarly journals Designing m-Health interventions for precision mental health support

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Bidargaddi ◽  
G. Schrader ◽  
P. Klasnja ◽  
J. Licinio ◽  
S. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support

Creative Design Approaches in Digital Mental Health Interventions: Exploratory Mapping Review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Vial ◽  
Sana Boudhraâ ◽  
Mathieu Dumont
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Design Process ◽  
End Users ◽  
Design Methods ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Creative Design ◽  
Specific Design ◽  
Core Elements ◽  
Mapping Review ◽  
Mental Health Interventions

BACKGROUND Digital mental health interventions show great potential to alleviate mental illness and increase access to care. However, these technologies face significant problems in terms of adoption. While it is suggested that this issue stems from a lack of user perspective in the development process, several creative design approaches have been developed over the years to consider this important aspect. Still, there have been few examples of creative design approaches and end users' involvement in the development of digital solutions in the field of mental health. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this literature review was to understand how design is considered in e-mental health intervention research. METHODS An exploratory mapping review was conducted among journals with an explicit scope covering mental health and technology. The creative design approaches reported and the core elements of a design activity (i.e., the object, the context, the design process and the actors involved) were examined among the eligible studies. RESULTS 30 studies met the inclusion criteria. 22 studies mentioned using creative design approaches or specific design methods in the development of an e-mental health solution. Approaches reported could be classified as participatory design (n=11), codesign (n=6), user-centered-design (n=5) or specific design methods (n=5). Just about half of the approaches mentioned (n=15/27) were supported by references. It was not possible to associate any creative design approaches with the description made of the main core elements (i.e., process, actors). End users were involved to some extent in all studies. For their part, designers were only involved in 8 studies, which was less than software development teams (n=14). That said, unlike the latter, their presence was noticed throughout the design process. CONCLUSIONS Results show that there are attempts to integrate creative design approaches into the development of e-mental health solutions. However, they rely very little on designers nor design research. Researchers and technology developers should know the underpinnings of creative design methods when choosing an approach over another. They should also consider involving designers to fully implement those methods and approaches.

Review of Mental Health Interventions for the Aging.

1982 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 742-743
Author(s):  
Richard Schulz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Mental Health Interventions
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