Neil Thomas1, Fiona Foley2, Katrina Lindblom3, Stuart Lee4. 1. Associate Professor, Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, and; Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, The Alfred and Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2. Project Manager, Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 3. Research Assistant, Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 4. Research Fellow, The Alfred and Monash University Central Clinical School, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The Internet is increasingly used in mental health service delivery, but there are significant potential barriers to Internet access for persons with severe mental illness (SMI). There is a need to understand this group's access to, and confidence with using, the Internet, and current views on using online resources as part of mental healthcare. METHOD: A survey was conducted of 100 consumers attending a specialist mental health service in Melbourne, Australia. RESULTS: Approximately three-quarters of participants had regular access to the Internet, and two-thirds used the Internet weekly or more. Half of the sample used email at least weekly, and a third were regular users of social networking sites. Internet access was often via mobile devices. Only a minority of participants used the Internet for mental health information, with video streaming and general websites accessed more often than peer forums for mental health content. Most participants were positive about their mental health worker using tablet computers with them in appointments for delivery of mental health materials. CONCLUSION: Most people with SMI are active Internet users and, therefore, able to use interventions online.
OBJECTIVES: The Internet is increasingly used in mental health service delivery, but there are significant potential barriers to Internet access for persons with severe mental illness (SMI). There is a need to understand this group's access to, and confidence with using, the Internet, and current views on using online resources as part of mental healthcare. METHOD: A survey was conducted of 100 consumers attending a specialist mental health service in Melbourne, Australia. RESULTS: Approximately three-quarters of participants had regular access to the Internet, and two-thirds used the Internet weekly or more. Half of the sample used email at least weekly, and a third were regular users of social networking sites. Internet access was often via mobile devices. Only a minority of participants used the Internet for mental health information, with video streaming and general websites accessed more often than peer forums for mental health content. Most participants were positive about their mental health worker using tablet computers with them in appointments for delivery of mental health materials. CONCLUSION: Most people with SMI are active Internet users and, therefore, able to use interventions online.
Entities:
Keywords:
Internet access; e-mental health; schizophrenia; serious mental illness; severe mental illness
Authors: Imogen H Bell; Sarah F Fielding-Smith; Mark Hayward; Susan L Rossell; Michelle H Lim; John Farhall; Neil Thomas Journal: Internet Interv Date: 2018-11-18
Authors: Neil Thomas; Josef J Bless; Ben Alderson-Day; Imogen H Bell; Matteo Cella; Tom Craig; Philippe Delespaul; Kenneth Hugdahl; Julien Laloyaux; Frank Larøi; Tania M Lincoln; Björn Schlier; Prabitha Urwyler; David van den Berg; Renaud Jardri Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2019-02-01 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Lucia Bonet; Blanca Llácer; Miguel Hernandez-Viadel; David Arce; Ignacio Blanquer; Carlos Cañete; Maria Escartí; Ana M González-Pinto; Julio Sanjuán Journal: JMIR Ment Health Date: 2018-07-25