scholarly journals Mind Support: A Systematic Review of Online Peer Support Platforms

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Noah Stapper ◽  
◽  
Gema Benavides Jimenez ◽  
Yasmin Barenco Abbas ◽  
Maya Homsy King ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Online Tools ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Mental Health Foundation

Provision of mental healthcare is currently limited and not accessible to all those who require it. The nature of this gap in mental health support calls for a solution that is more accessible, affordable and personalized to prevent the exacerbation of mild mental health issues and to offer support as an adjunct to state of the art therapeutics. To this effect, the non-profit mental health foundation “Mind Support” has been set up, an online peer support platform. This paper analyses the approach and solutions offered by this platform for the growing gap in mental health support and demonstrates the benefits and limitations of online peer support in general. Online peer support as provided by “Mind Support” has the advantage of being anonymous and is free of charge making it accessible to everybody. At the same time, “Mind Support” reaps the benefits of traditional peer support options, such as having a more trauma-informed approach rather than an illness-focused one, aiding in the reduction of stigma and welcoming dialogue. The aim of this article is to stimulate the use of online tools to bridge the mental health support gap.

scholarly journals ThroughBlue: A support group for women affected by depression

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-63
Author(s):  
Trish McBride ◽  
Jane Fuller
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Australian Study ◽  
Therapeutic Value ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Way

Recent US research has validated the benefits and therapeutic value of peer support groups as a treatment component for depression, as has a 2008 Australian study of a women’s mental health support group. As facilitators working weekly with ThroughBlue, a support group of women who have experience of depression, we had already discovered the truth of their findings. This paper is a description of the way this Wellington group works, and may be of use to others looking to set up or facilitate similar groups elsewhere.

scholarly journals Impact of arthritis on the perceived need and use of mental healthcare among Canadians with mental disorders: nationally representative cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e041371
Author(s):  
Alyssa Howren ◽  
J Antonio Aviña-Zubieta ◽  
Deborah Da Costa ◽  
Joseph H Puyat ◽  
Hui Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Need ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between having arthritis and the perceived need for mental healthcare and use of mental health support among individuals with mental disorders.DesignA cross-sectional analysis using data from Canadian Community Health Survey—Mental Health (2012).SettingThe survey was administered across Canada’s 10 provinces using multistage cluster sampling.ParticipantsThe study sample consisted of individuals reporting depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder.Study variables and analysisThe explanatory variable was self-reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis, and outcomes were perceived need for mental healthcare and use of mental health support. We computed overall and gender-stratified multivariable binomial logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, income and geographical region.ResultsAmong 1774 individuals with a mental disorder in the study sample, 436 (20.4%) reported having arthritis. Arthritis was associated with increased odds of having a perceived need for mental healthcare (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.71, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.77). In the gender-stratified models, this association was increased among men (aOR 2.69, 95% CI 1.32 to 5.49) but not women (aOR 1.48, 95% CI 0.78 to 2.82). Evaluation of the association between arthritis and use of mental health support resulted in an aOR of 1.50 (95% CI 0.89 to 2.51). Individuals with arthritis tended to use medications and professional services as opposed to non-professional support.ConclusionComorbid arthritis among individuals with a mental disorder was associated with an increased perceived need for mental healthcare, especially in men, underscoring the importance of understanding the role of masculinity in health seeking. Assessing the mental health of patients with arthritis continues to be essential for clinical care.

scholarly journals Structural Correlates of Mental Health Support Access Among Sexual Minority Youth of Color During COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantelle A Roulston ◽  
Sarah McKetta ◽  
Maggi Price ◽  
Kathryn Fox ◽  
Jessica L. Schleider
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
State Level ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Marginalized Youth ◽  
Treatment Access ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support

Objective: Many youth with mental health needs cannot access treatment, with multiply-marginalized youth, such as sexual minority youth of Color (SMYoC), experiencing both structural and identity-related barriers to care. The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to exacerbate multi-level treatment access barriers facing SMYoC youth nationwide. However, little large-scale research has examined access to mental health care among SMYoC across the United States, either during or prior to the pandemic. Such work is critical to understanding and ameliorating barriers in this domain. Methods: Using data from adolescents who self-identified as SMYoC and who endorsed a desire for mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic (N=470, ages 13-16, from 43 U.S. states), we examined associations between state-level, structural factors (income inequality; mental healthcare provider shortage; anti-Black racism; homophobia; and the interaction between anti-Black racism and homophobia) and SMYoC mental health treatment access. Results: Multinomial logistic regressions revealed state-level mental healthcare provider shortage as the only significant predictor of SMYoC reporting they never (versus always) accessed mental health support during the COVID-19 pandemic. SMYoC living in areas with both lower homophobia and lower anti-Black racism were more likely to report always (versus sometimes) accessing mental health treatment. Conclusions: Results highlight the critical importance of considering diverse structural factors and applying an intersectional lens when exploring barriers to mental health treatment among multiply-marginalized youth. In locations where provider shortages are less severe, cultural stigma—including anti-Black racism and homophobia—may still pose challenges for SMYoC in need of mental health care.

A Framework for a Structured Approach for Formulating a Trauma-Informed Environment

2021 ◽  
pp. 002205742110468
Author(s):  
Melissa Erickson ◽  
Trish Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Positive Culture ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Case Study Site ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Structured Approach

A case study was implemented in one rural district as it transitioned to a trauma-informed environment. A theoretical framework based on the literature framed the data collection around the seven themes of awareness, positive culture, intentional instruction, restorative practice, self-care, mental health support services, and professional development. The collected data from surveys, observations, document analysis and a focus group were used to determine strengths and areas for improvement in implementing trauma-informed practices at the case study site.

scholarly journals Merlynne

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (CHI PLAY) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Tina Chan ◽  
Robert P. Gauthier ◽  
Ally Suarez ◽  
Nicholas F. Sia ◽  
James R. Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Emotional Labour ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Design Challenges

Human-Computer Interaction researchers have explored how online communities can be leveraged for peer support, but general disinterest and a lack of engagement have emerged as substantial barriers to their use in practice. To address this gap, we designed Merlynne, a serious game that seeks to motivate individuals to support peers through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Our game explored use of the Proteus Effect - a phenomenon where players adopt characteristics of their in-game avatar - to motivate peer support through stereotyped 'helpful' and 'unhelpful' avatars. We then conducted a mixed-methods, exploratory study to investigate its design. We found that our game successfully motivated players to offer peer support, despite the substantial emotional labour required by CBT. However, we were not able to replicate the Proteus Effect, and did not find differences in that support based on a player's avatar. In reflecting on our findings, we discuss design challenges and considerations for the use of serious games to motivate participation in mental health support, including: fatigue, a player's need for self-expression and to relate to those they are supporting, and ludonarrative dissonance.

scholarly journals Addressing Mental Health Needs of Health Care Workers through Peer Support Groups During the COVID-19 Crisis

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanner Thornsberry ◽  
Jill Nault Connors ◽  
Julie Welch ◽  
Julie Hayden ◽  
Jennifer Hartwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Psychological Resources ◽  
Psychological Burden ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Frontline Healthcare Workers ◽  
The Impact

Background:  The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a high psychological burden on frontline healthcare workers. Often quarantined away from their families and with little downtime to process their experiences, those on the frontlines of the pandemic are experiencing pronounced levels of distress and significantly elevated rates of burnout. Although many wellness and psychological resources are available to providers, there is low uptake and little is known about their effectiveness. In this study, we assess the impact of group-based peer support sessions on symptoms of acute distress, anxiety and depression, and provider burn out.    Methods:  An established peer support model is adapted for use with groups of frontline healthcare workers that will participate in 6 to 8 weekly group sessions using videoconferences. The study approach is a phased feasibility to research design. During the feasibility phase, we will initially test the intervention in 3 groups of 8 providers using a quasi-experimental, pre- post analysis of change. If preliminary results are positive, we will scale the intervention and progress to a more rigorous study design using a differences-in-differences approach to assess change over time between exposure and non-exposure groups. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, intervention completion, and 3- and 6- month follow ups. During the feasibility phase we will assess intervention fidelity and conduct qualitative analysis to assess the effects of the pandemic on work, family and social life.     Results:  This is a work in progress. At present we have recruited 28 emergency medicine physicians and residents with a target start date of August 1, 2020.    Potential Impact:  We anticipate the results of this study will provide evidence in support of a recent call for “the use of non-clinical mental health support, such as social or peer support” from the American College of Emergency Physicians in conjunction with 42 leading professional organizations in medicine. In addition, results may lead to advocacy for improved policies that mitigate against “fear of resultant loss of licensure, loss of income, or other career setbacks” for seeking mental health support. 

scholarly journals It helps to talk: A guiding framework (TRUST) for peer support in delivering mental health care for adolescents living with HIV

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248018
Author(s):  
Carol Wogrin ◽  
Nicola Willis ◽  
Abigail Mutsinze ◽  
Silindweyinkosi Chinoda ◽  
Ruth Verhey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Living With Hiv

Introduction Adolescents living with HIV have poor treatment outcomes, including lower rates of viral suppression, than other age groups. Emerging evidence suggests a connection between improved mental health and increased adherence. Strengthening the focus on mental health could support increased rates of viral suppression. In sub-Saharan Africa clinical services for mental health care are extremely limited. Additional mechanisms are required to address the unmet mental health needs of this group. We consider the role that community-based peer supporters, a cadre operating at scale with adolescents, could play in the provision of lay-support for mental health. Methods We conducted qualitative research to explore the experiences of peer supporters involved in delivering a peer-led mental health intervention in Zimbabwe as part of a randomized control trial (Zvandiri-Friendship Bench trial). We conducted 2 focus group discussions towards the end of the trial with 20 peer supporters (aged 18–24) from across 10 intervention districts and audio recorded 200 of the peer supporters’ monthly case reviews. These data were thematically analysed to explore how peer supporters reflect on what was required of them given the problems that clients raised and what they themselves needed in delivering mental health support. Results A primary strength of the peer support model, reflected across the datasets, is that it enables adolescents to openly discuss their problems with peer supporters, confident that there is reciprocal trust and understanding derived from the similarity in their lived experiences with HIV. There are potential risks for peer supporters, including being overwhelmed by engaging with and feeling responsible for resolving relationally and structurally complex problems, which warrant considerable supervision. To support this cadre critical elements are needed: a clearly defined scope for the manageable provision of mental health support; a strong triage and referral system for complex cases; mechanisms to support the inclusion of caregivers; and sustained investment in training and ongoing supervision. Conclusion Extending peer support to explicitly include a focus on mental health has enormous potential. From this empirical study we have developed a framework of core considerations and principles (the TRUST Framework) to guide the implementation of adequate supportive infrastructure in place to enhance the opportunities and mitigate risks.

scholarly journals Cybersecurity: A Critical Priority for Digital Mental Health

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Becky Inkster
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Personal Health ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Current State ◽  
Vulnerable People ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support

There has been a surge in the supply and demand of digital mental health support services in recent times. There have also been high profile cyberattacks specifically targeting mental health and behavioural services, along with a shift toward targeting vulnerable people directly. Cyberattacks involving personal health data, especially sensitive mental health data, could have devasting consequences to vulnerable people, those close to them, and many other stakeholders. This article calls for the immediate examination of the current state of cybersecurity in the digital mental healthcare industry to collectively identify risks and to protect user and provider vulnerabilities. This article points to the need to build a global cybersecurity culture within digital mental health while also working closely with other industries. The article concludes by making some preliminary recommendations to help support the creation of standards that will enhance the collective preparedness for future responses to cybersecurity threats and attacks.

scholarly journals “Mental health support is like a secret society”: A qualitative study of the impact of peer support on women’s mental health treatment experiences during the perinatal period.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe Rice ◽  
Emma Ingram ◽  
Heather O’Mahen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Perinatal Mental Health ◽  
Formal Support ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support

Abstract Background Perinatal mental health problems are prevalent, affecting up to 20% of women However, only 17–25% receive formal support during the perinatal period. In this qualitative study, we sought to examine women’s experiences with peer support for mental health problems during the perinatal period. Methods Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with twenty-five mothers from the UK who had utilised peer support for a perinatal mental health problem. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results Seven major themes were identified in women’s help seeking process and experience of peer support. These included; perinatal specific precipitating factors that contributed to their mental health problems, barriers in the form of unhelpful professional responses, feelings of isolation, acceptance of the problem and need to actively re-seek support, finding support either through luck or peer assistance. Conclusions Peer support showed promise as an effective means to reduce perinatal mental health difficulties; either as a form of formal support or as an adjunct to formal support. The results highlight ways to improve perinatal women’s access to mental health support through peer-based mechanisms.

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