Participatory design of evidence-based online youth mental health promotion, intervention and treatment

Penny Hagen, Philippa Collin, Atari Metcalf, Mariesa Nicholas, Kitty Rahilly, Nathalie Swainston

Research output: Book/Research ReportResearch report

Abstract

This guide aims to assist Young and Well CRC partners to adopt a Participatory Design approach to research projects by: - Providing an introduction to the principles and practices of Participatory Design and demonstrating the benefits of using this approach in the context of youth mental health. - Providing a framework that demonstrates how a Participatory Design approach can be integrated with evidence-based approaches to the design of mental health promotion interventions. Providing methodological, conceptual and practical tools, tips and resources that can be used in applying the framework. For researchers already using participatory approaches to research and development in mental health promotion, this guide should assist the extension of this approach into the design phases of an intervention. For others it presents an accessible introduction and a framework with tools and methods. The guide has been developed based on a review of Participatory Design literature and Inspire Foundation projects. As an emerging approach to research and design practice in youth mental health promotion, we invite you to learn and explore the possibilities of the framework. We hope that researchers will try out different methods and techniques, tell us about their application and contribute to further innovation. It is expected that the methods and approaches proposed in the guide may be combined with other methodologies and the framework has been developed with this flexibility in mind. This document begins by outlining the overall focus and scope of the guide, and an explanation of how it might be used. This is followed by an overview of the theoretical and methodological roots of Participatory Design. Specific methods and the artefacts that these methods produce are discussed. To demonstrate how Participatory Design can be applied in mental health, this guide then provides case studies from the Inspire Foundation on a ReachOut.com service refresh, and a recent campaign. Following this, the role of social media is considered and examples of how social media has been used at Inspire are incorporated. The guide then concludes with a section on Participatory Design best practice. The quality of research and experience for participants depends on the skill with which project teams plan, recruit and facilitate Participatory Design methodologies and ensure that projects are undertaken in an ethical and safe way.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationAbbotsford, Vic.
PublisherYoung and Well Cooperative Research Centre
Number of pages32
ISBN (Print)9780987117915
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Participatory design of evidence-based online youth mental health promotion, intervention and treatment'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this