In episode 4, Dr. Ruth Crowther speaks to Jay Court for This Way Up about her journey to working in digital mental health, her experiences in mental health nursing and take a deeper look at This Way Up.

Jay Court is the Digital Mental Health Engagement Lead for This Way Up at the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD), St. Vincent’s Hospital. Jay has dual backgrounds in mental health nursing and communications. Her interests include health equity, science communication, innovative behavioural science, and interdisciplinary approaches to stakeholder engagement.

What is the This Way Up Clinic?

This Way Up comes from the Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression (CRUfAD), a joint initiative of St. Vincint’s Hospital and the University of New South Wales. The online This Way Up clinic was established 10 years ago, based on clinical research undertaken by CRUfAD over the last 60 years. They offer 18 disorder-specific and wellbeing iCBT programs, coping tools, resources, evidence-based materials, and a clinicians hub. This Way Up courses can be undertaken with therapist assistance or as a self-help resource.

Visit the This Way Up website at https://thiswayup.org.au/ to learn more about the service and courses available.

What are consumers’ barriers to digital mental health?

Internet access, especially in rural and remote areas, continues to be a barrier for consumers interested in digital mental health services, but there is also a need for more technical support for users navigating services. From the registration process and creating a secure password, to how they explore and work through a course, it is important to make navigation as easy and straightforward as possible. Cultural and linguistic inclusivity is another barrier observed by This Way Up in regards to users uptake of digital mental health services.

Addressing clinicians concerns over the therapeutic relationship in online CBT

The therapeutic relationship is very important, and This Way Up does not intend to replace that but rather help clinicians with some of the heavy lifting, such as skills-based learning. Digital mental health resources are a great tool when face-to-face treatment is not accessible, either due to workforce shortages, geographical barriers, cost barriers, long waitlists, or a range of other potential barriers for people seeking mental health treatment. Digital Mental Health services like This Way Up can boost the therapeutic relationship when integrated into care, acting as a conversation starter and adding value.

This Way Up: https://wellmob.org.au/
Foundations of iCBT Course: https://thiswayup.org.au/clinician-hub/resources/

Listen to the full conversation below. You can also access Digital Mental Health Musings on Soundcloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Deezer.