Jane Gunn1, Jacqui Cameron2, Konstancja Densley3, Sandra Davidson4, Susie Fletcher5, Victoria Palmer6, Patty Chondros7, Christopher Dowrick8, Jane Pirkis9. 1. Department of General Practice, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: j.gunn@unimelb.edu.au. 2. Department of General Practice, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: jacqueline.cameron@unimelb.edu.au. 3. Department of General Practice, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: kdensley@unimelb.edu.au. 4. Department of General Practice, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: sdav@unimelb.edu.au. 5. Department of General Practice, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: susanlf@unimelb.edu.au. 6. Department of General Practice, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: v.palmer@unimelb.edu.au. 7. Department of General Practice, Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: p.chondros@unimelb.edu.au. 8. Institute of Psychology Health and Society, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom. Electronic address: cfd@liv.ac.uk. 9. Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: j.pirkis@unimelb.edu.au.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of primary care attendees with depressive symptoms who use mental health websites. METHODS: 789 individuals with depressive symptoms recruited and followed up annually for nine years. Self-reported written surveys included mental health, professional and self-help use, e-mental health interventions or therapeutic websites. Marginal logistic regression examined association between mental health website (MHW) use and patient's mental health, health services use, anti-depressant use and self-help strategies. RESULTS: 36% of participants used an MHW at least once. MHW users were more likely to be female, younger, highly educated and employed. MHW use increased with depressive symptom severity; reported in 16% of assessments when minimal symptoms were present and 28% when severe symptoms were present. MHW use was associated with: GP mental health visits, psychologist and psychiatrist visits and other self-help strategies including self-help books and telephone helplines. CONCLUSION(S): Mental health websites were more likely to be used by those with severe depressive symptoms rather than those with mild depression as recommended in current guidelines. PRACTICE IMPLICATION(S): Whilst mental health websites offer potential to support the high volume of people with mild depression new strategies may be required to ensure uptake.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of primary care attendees with depressive symptoms who use mental health websites. METHODS: 789 individuals with depressive symptoms recruited and followed up annually for nine years. Self-reported written surveys included mental health, professional and self-help use, e-mental health interventions or therapeutic websites. Marginal logistic regression examined association between mental health website (MHW) use and patient's mental health, health services use, anti-depressant use and self-help strategies. RESULTS: 36% of participants used an MHW at least once. MHW users were more likely to be female, younger, highly educated and employed. MHW use increased with depressive symptom severity; reported in 16% of assessments when minimal symptoms were present and 28% when severe symptoms were present. MHW use was associated with: GP mental health visits, psychologist and psychiatrist visits and other self-help strategies including self-help books and telephone helplines. CONCLUSION(S): Mental health websites were more likely to be used by those with severe depressive symptoms rather than those with mild depression as recommended in current guidelines. PRACTICE IMPLICATION(S): Whilst mental health websites offer potential to support the high volume of people with mild depression new strategies may be required to ensure uptake.
Authors: Judith Borghouts; Elizabeth Eikey; Gloria Mark; Cinthia De Leon; Stephen M Schueller; Margaret Schneider; Nicole Stadnick; Kai Zheng; Dana Mukamel; Dara H Sorkin Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2021-03-24 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Judith Borghouts; Elizabeth V Eikey; Gloria Mark; Cinthia De Leon; Stephen M Schueller; Margaret Schneider; Nicole Stadnick; Kai Zheng; Dana B Mukamel; Dara H Sorkin Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2021-09-14 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Lauren G Staples; Nick Webb; Lia Asrianti; Shane Cross; Daniel Rock; Rony Kayrouz; Eyal Karin; Blake F Dear; Olav Nielssen; Nickolai Titov Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-14 Impact factor: 3.390