In episode 1, Heidi Sturk will discuss the world of digital mental health resources in 2021. This episode will explore the importance of digital mental health resources, their benefits, and the move towards these resources becoming commonplace in clinical practice across Australia. We will hear a little more about what eMHPrac is and the role they play in digital mental health.

Why are digital mental health resources important?

Digital mental health resources aim to decrease barriers to mental health support, such as low access to face-to-face services. Web and mobile-based interventions can rapidly increase treatment access and meet growing demand as we continue to use technology in everyday life.

The benefits of digital mental health

Research tells us that psychological treatment can be effectively delivered via the internet, with web-based interventions, particularly those with therapist-support, showing that they can be as effective as face-to-face treatment. The benefits of these online resources include: accessibility, low-cost, overcoming stigma or embarrassment, providing an introduction to psychological intervention, wide choice, support between clinical sessions, and providing people with options.

The challenges to digital mental health resources becoming common use in clinical practice across Australia

There is still a ways to go before the use of digital mental health resources become ‘business as usual’ in clinical practice. There are many barriers to be addressed including digital literacy, language and cultural barriers, access to technology, degree of human support needed, the severity of the condition, and data privacy and security.

Advice for people worried or scared of using online resources

Whether for personal use or for use with clients or patients, the eMHPrac website includes a range of resources to ease concerns for those feeling daunted as they don’t know where to start. eMHPrac can advise on the resources available and the steps to follow when recommending a resource to someone.

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