There are a range of digital mental health resources available to support young people and many of these services can be used by health practitioners with their young clients.
This article explores a range of resources for health practitioners using digital mental health tools with their child and adolescent clients, and the digital mental health services available for young people. These resources explore how to access relevant services, the benefits of digital interventions, and strategies to start using them with clients. The resources below are reputable, evidence-based Australian resources designed specifically to support health professionals integrating digital interventions into their practice.
Webinars
Webinars are a great resource for health practitioners getting started with digital mental health resources. The resources below are all free, reputable, evidence-based Australian webinars that can contribute towards CPD points for health professionals.
e-Mental Health Programs for Children and Young People
This webinar developed by Black Dog Institute and eMHPrac showcases online mental health programs for young people and children. Carol Purtell, Rebecca Dear, Dr Sonja March, and Dr Amy Finlay-Jones discuss how to use services, including The Brave Program, MindSpot and OCD?Not Me! with clients.
Access the webinar here: https://medcast.com.au/courses/106
Improving Your Mental Health Online
In this webinar from Black Dog Institute and eMHprac, Dr Jan Orman, Josie Lynar and Dr Tyler Schofield explore the range of reliable Australian online resources available to help build resilience in young people at risk of mental health problems. A case study is used to look at how leading e-Mental Health programs can help manage a patient’s mental health concerns.
Access the webinar here: https://medcast.com.au/courses/9
Sing e-Mental Health Resources to Help Teens
This webinar from Black Dog Institute and eMHPrac explores online resources that are appropriate for GPs to recommend to teens experiencing, or at risk of developing, psychological distress. Dr Jan Orman and Dr Hilton Koppe utilise a case study to discuss how e-Mental Health resources can be usefully integrated into a patient’s care and the practical aspects of integrating e-Mental Health resources into care.
Access the webinar here: https://medcast.com.au/courses/35
Guides
There are a range of resources available to help health practitioners using digital mental health services with their clients. These guides can help health practitioners speak to clients about digital mental health resources and choose the right resource for their clients from the range of suitable, evidence-based services available.
Getting Started with Digital Mental Health (for Professionals)
This factsheet provides information for Health Practitioners new to using digital mental health resources about what digital mental health resources are, the benefits, and how to start using them. The factsheet walks through the five steps to use digital mental health resources and what they involve.
View or download the factsheet here: https://www.emhprac.org.au/resource/getting-started-with-digital-mental-health-for-professionals/
Digital Mental Health for Young People
This brochure provides information to Health Practitioners about digital mental health resources available for young people. It can be used as a quick referral source during brief interactions with clients and consumers to recommend suitable digital interventions or shared with young clients who you feel could benefit from digital mental health resources.
View or download the factsheet here: https://www.emhprac.org.au/resource/e-mental-health-resources-for-young-people/
Digital Mental Health Resources for High School Students
This factsheet provides information to Health Practitioners and high school students with a range of mental health concerns, about how digital mental health resources can help and suggests a range of suitable Australian and evidence-based digital mental health resources. It can be used as a reference guide or shared directly with clients who you feel could benefit from digital mental health resources.
View or download the factsheet here: https://www.emhprac.org.au/resource/digital-mental-health-resources-for-high-school-students/
Digital Mental Health for Tertiary Students
This factsheet provides information to Health Practitioners and tertiary students with a range of mental health concerns, about how digital mental health resources can help and suggests a range of suitable Australian and evidence-based digital mental health resources. It can be used as a reference guide or shared directly with clients who you feel could benefit from digital mental health resources.
View or download the factsheet here: https://www.emhprac.org.au/resource/digital-mental-health-for-tertiary-students/
Podcasts
Podcasts are a great resource for health practitioners, providing quick and easy access to a range of information that can be listened to at any time. There are a range of podcasts available, providing insight and information to health practitioners on the range of mental health resources available and how they can be used in a range of settings. The podcasts below explore how digital mental health resources can be used with young people and highlight some digital resources available to provide support.
Black Dog Institute Expert Insights
Expert Insights is a podcast from Black Dog Institute discussing important mental health topics, providing insight and expert knowledge for health professionals. There are 38 episodes currently available discussing everything to do with mental health including diagnosis, treatment, and ways of thinking.
In the 33rd episode, Prevention of Mental Illness in Adolescents, an expert panel explores prevention strategies for adolescents to reduce the prevalence of mental health disorders later in life. They discuss early warning signs, the challenges and opportunities in working with schools, and the Black Dog Institute Future Proofing Study.
The 28th episode, incorporating digital technology and mental health, explores the various ways that digital technology have been incorporated into the field of mental health. A panel discusses the benefits of digital technology in healthcare for the intervention and prevention of mental health, for both clients and health practitioners.
Find out more about the podcast and listen to full episodes here: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/education-services/podcasts/expert-insights/
Black Dog Institute eMHPrac webinar-based podcasts
Each episode in this podcast from Black Dog Institute is based on eMHPrac webinars to help health professionals keep up to date with the latest eMental Health research and share practical advice. There are 24 episodes currently available discussing eMental Health research and information on incorporating eMental Health into practice.
The Online Resources to Empower Adolescents to Manage Anxiety episode discusses the prevalence of adolescent anxiety, assessment, and evidence-based face-to-face and online approaches to empowering young people.
Find out more about the podcast and listen to full episodes here: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/education-services/podcasts/emhprac-webinar-based-podcasts/
Digital Mental Health Services to use with Clients
There are a range of digital metal health services available to support young people with a range of mental health concerns. These services are available in various formats including online or telephone counselling, online programs, and apps. The service below are all Australian, evidence-based reputable digital mental health services designed for young people to use with a health practitioner or includes therapist assistance.
MindSpot Clinic
Mood Mechanic Course
https://mindspot.org.au/mood-mechanic-course
MindSpot Clinic is a digital mental health clinic providing free assessment and treatment for Australians experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and chronic pain. They offer a range of treatment courses including the ‘Mood Mechanic Course’ helping young adults aged 18 to 25 learn to manage symptoms of depression and anxiety. The course includes assessment, feedback, and therapist assistance. Health Professionals can refer a patient to MindSpot Clinic and receive progress reports for referred patients as they complete the course.
This Way Up
Teen Worry and Sadness Program
https://thiswayup.org.au/courses/the-teen-mental-health-course/
This Way Up offers a range of internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) programs that teach clinically-proven strategies and practical tools to improve mental health. The Teen Mental Health course helps young people aged 12 to 17 learn practical strategies for managing worry and low mood. The course must be prescribed by a clinician who can then monitor the client as they complete it.
OCD? Not Me!
OCD? Not Me! is an online program for young people aged 12 to 18 with OCD, including information, practical skills and support. This program can be completed as a self-help resources independently by young people and their parents, but can also be used by health professionals with clients in treatment.
Digital Mental Health Services to Recommend to Clients
Many digital mental health resources are available as self-help resources, offering online programs, apps, counselling and peer support for a range of mental health concerns. Young people can connect with peers, learn practical skills, keep track of their mental health and wellbeing, and access counselling support at any time with these mental health services. The resources below can be recommended to a patient to use on independently if suitable or when face-to-face treatment is not available, or between sessions to improve or maintain their mental health.
Beyond Blue
Online Forums
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums
Beyond Blue is an online and telephone support service for depression and anxiety, providing counselling, information, and peer support. Their website includes online forums where people can access safe, supportive, moderated online peer support for a range of mental health issues, including a forum for young people aged 12 to 25.
BITE BACK
BITE BACK from Black Dog Institute provides online activities, psychoeducation and positive psychology for young people aged 12 to 25, promoting wellbeing and resilience. The website includes six weekly challenges to improve mental fitness, quizzes, personal stories and strategies to improve mental health and happiness.
The Butterfly Foundation
The Butterfly Foundation is national charity for Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, their friends, families and communities. They offer telephone and online counselling, referral, support, psychoeducation and online peer support. Their moderated online support groups are available for anyone needing guidance with an eating disorder and intermittently offering online practical skills.
CanTeen Connect
CanTeen Connect is an online community for young people dealing with their own or a close family member’s cancer. Users can join discussions with people in similar cancer experiences, access support from peers or counsellors, read blogs and practical tips.
The Desk
The Desk is an online program for Australian tertiary students, providing strategies and skills to maintaining students’ wellbeing during their time at university or TAFE. The program includes problem-solving and self-management modules, tools, quizzes, forums for peer support, and information to promote mental and physical health.
eheadspace
https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/
eheadspace is an internet chat, email and phone support service for young people aged 12 to 25 with a range of issues. Their group chats, led by a headspace professional, allow young people to connect with other people with similar experiences on a range of helpful topics.
Livewire
Livewire is a safe, secure online community for young people aged 12 to 20, and their siblings, cope with the impact of a serious illness, mental illness, chronic health condition or disability. Patients can make friends and share stories through the peer support chat service, as well as watch videos, play games and join competitions from their home or in hospital.
Niggle
https://kidshelpline.com.au/niggle
Niggle is an app developed by Kids Helpline to help young people track their wellbeing by capturing their ‘niggles’ and doing something about them. The app includes information, quizzes, videos, podcasts and tips to help users tame their niggles and improve their social and emotional health.
Ray’s Night Out
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/rays-night-out/id978589497
Ray’s Night Out is an app to help young people aged 16 to 25 increase their awareness of their drinking limits and promote safer drinking practices. The app helps users understand the effects of alcohol, the consequences of alcohol use and learn safe drinking strategies.
Smiling Mind
https://www.smilingmind.com.au/
Smiling Mind is a website and app teaching Mindfulness Meditation to young people aged 7 to 22 and adults. The app aims to help users practice daily meditation and mindfulness and bring balance to users lives. The website includes mindfulness programs for individuals, schools, families and workplaces.
Your Crew
https://www.harrisonriedelfoundation.com/how-we-keep-young-people-safe/app-landing-page
YourCrew is a mood tracking app for young people, helping them ask for help when they need it most from people they know and trust. The app allows users to check in with how they are feeling, maintain a private virtual journal, create a safety plan and track moods in a calendar that can be viewed by users their crew. Users can contact friends through the app when they need their support, and YourCrew automatically contacts friends when users are feeling consistently down.
Digital Mental Health Services to Recommend Parents use with Clients
There are a range of digital mental health services designed for young people that allow or encourage parents’ involvement. A parent or carer can either work through the program with their child, or monitor their progress to help child utilise the digital mental health service. The resources below can be recommended to a patient to use with their parents or to parents concerned about their child’s mental health and wellbeing, to be used independently if suitable or between sessions.
The BRAVE Program
https://brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au/
The BRAVE Program is an online program helping children and teenagers aged 3 to 17 overcome anxiety. Comprised of both youth and parent components, the program provides ways for children and teenagers to better cope with their worries for the prevention and treatment of anxiety.
Cool Little Kids Online
https://coollittlekids.org.au/login
Cool Little Kids Online is an online program for parents of shy or anxious children aged 3 to 6, helping to build knowledge and practical skills to increase their child’s confidence. The program includes 8 modules parents work through with their child including information, practical skills and stories. There is a cost associated with this program.
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