ReachOut.com : the role of an online service for promoting help-seeking in young people

Philippa Collin, Atair T. Metcalf, Justine C. Stephens-Reicher, Michelle Blanchard, Helen Herrman, Kitty Rahilly, Jane Burns

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    Considerable investment over the last decade in strategies to improve mental health and wellbeing in Australia has seen a notable increase in the availability and awareness of youth-specific mental health services as well as an increase in mental health literacy among young people. However, national statistics do not reflect a corresponding increase in help-seeking behaviour among young people. There is limited understanding of how services can promote effective help-seeking in young people – particularly those young people experiencing marginalisation or high levels of psychological distress. In this paper we examine the potential for online mental health services to address the persistent challenge of facilitating help-seeking in young people. This paper presents findings from a study of young people’s use of the online service, ReachOut.com, to examine if and how the service promotes help-seeking. We find that ReachOut.com effectively engages young people – particularly those who are experiencing high levels of psychological distress and supports young people to become service ready. Targeted strategies for young men and other hard-to-reach groups as well as further integration with on and offline clinical services are likely to strengthen and systematise the role of ReachOut.com as a gateway service, supporting young people to seek professional support.
    Original languageEnglish
    Number of pages13
    JournalAdvances in Mental Health
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011

    Keywords

    • Australia
    • mental health
    • mental health services
    • online information services
    • youth

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