It’s probably fair to assume that if you are reading this blog you have already developed an interest in using digital resources in your clinical practice. Perhaps it’s not something you are passionate about yet, but you are aware of the evidence to support the use of dMH and have an open mind about giving it a try.

I have been a bit surprised lately by some of the people I have met who still haven’t heard about digital mental health resources. I met a group of GPs just recently who were largely unaware of what is out there. I also met an academic from a medical faculty who told me it hadn’t occurred to him to include information about digital mental health in teaching his students.

Since 2013 it has been my job, under the auspices of the eMHPrac Project and Black Dog Institute, to make GPs and other mental health workers aware of the existence and value of dMH resources. Whilst many have listened to the message and are happy to use evidence- based resources when they are appropriate, another group of practitioners have either not got the message or decided to ignore it, perhaps thinking a new chunk of knowledge was going to be too hard to acquire.

All this leaves me despairing.

What else can I do to get this message out? Can you help me?

The first step is for people to know these resources exist and that they can be used effectively in primary care. You can be witness to this. We know that GPs are likely to take the advice of an experienced peer. When it comes to using digital resources, you may well be that person!

If you’re successfully recommending dMH resources to some of your patients and clients, then you must have developed some strategies to make it work. I imagine you are getting very good at working out who to recommend these resources to. I also think you probably do things like spend time explaining why you are recommending them, managing expectations (eg “its not going to treat everything that’s wrong and will only be part of our work together”) and showing people what the resources you recommend look like.

If you find a peer who is showing an interest in using dMH resources, you could help them by expanding on the things you do to make it work. Tell them not to worry about doing it all at once. Explain that they will feel more confident if they get to know one resource well and recommend that in the beginning. Encourage them to just dip their toes in the water to test it out. Recommend the resource you like the most and get them to tell you what they think.

Sometimes a conversation is all it takes to get someone interested.

Perhaps some of the people you talk to would like to find out more. What resources are available? For that, the eMH Project Resource Guide is invaluable. You can find it here. The guide is updated regularly and keeps track of the shifting sands of dMH as we work constantly to improve the resources.

The other thing you might like to tell them about is the 6-module course we have put together that provides some initial insight into how to use dMH resources. You can find it here on the Black Dog Institute website. It’s not everything there is to know, but it’s a good starting point.

Please join me in getting the word out about dMH resources. When used well dMH resources can help your fellow practitioners by increasing their confidence in dealing with mental health problems and improving the mental health outcomes for the people they see. Not everyone will benefit, but enough people to make it worth the effort.