Messages of Support: A Report of a Pilot Study Investigating the Role of Creating Positive Messages in Support of Others Who Have Survived Traumatic Experiences

In line with the aims of the Young and Well CRC, the Messages of Support project explores how new information technologies can be used to provide a creative outlet to allow young people to support others who have survived a traumatic experience. A growing body of psychological theory and research suggests the potential for affirmative messages to positively affect vulnerable others, encourage broader social and community citizenship and engagement, and increase message creators' own wellbeing. At the same time, new and evolving communication technologies are increasing people's capacity to access and use affordable, efficient, and effective mechanisms to create and share rich and meaningful content. Messages of Support integrates work across those fields to develop and test an applied framework that allows young people to create and share positive messages of hope and support across different domains of disadvantage or vulnerability.