Nickolai Titov1, Carlie Schofield2, Lauren Staples3, Blake F Dear4, Olav Nielssen5. 1. Professor, Department of Psychology Project Director, MindSpot Clinic, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, and; eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 2. Aboriginal Mental Health Consultant, Illawarra Aboriginal Medical Service, Wollongong, NSW, Australia. 3. Clinical Analyst, MindSpot Clinic, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, and; eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 4. NHMRC Career Development Fellow, Managing Co-Director, MindSpot Clinic, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, and; eCentreClinic, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 5. Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, MindSpot Clinic, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, and; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) users of MindSpot, a national service for the remote assessment and treatment of anxiety and depression. METHODS: The characteristics and treatment outcomes of Indigenous patients who registered with MindSpot between January 2015 and December 2016, were compared with non-Indigenous users. Changes in psychological distress, depression and anxiety were measured using the Kessler 10-Item (K-10), Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item (PHQ-9), and Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale 7-Item (GAD-7), respectively. RESULTS: Of 23,235 people who completed a MindSpot assessment between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2016, 780 (3.4%) identified as Indigenous Australian. They had higher symptom scores, were more likely to live in a remote location, and a third reported no previous contact with mental health services. Fewer Indigenous patients enrolled in a treatment course, but those who did had similar rates of completion and similar reductions in symptoms to non-Indigenous patients. CONCLUSIONS: MindSpot treatments were effective in treating anxiety and depression in Indigenous Australians, and outcomes were similar to those of non-Indigenous patients. Services like MindSpot are a treatment option that can help overcome barriers to mental health care for Indigenous Australians.
OBJECTIVE: To report on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) users of MindSpot, a national service for the remote assessment and treatment of anxiety and depression. METHODS: The characteristics and treatment outcomes of Indigenous patients who registered with MindSpot between January 2015 and December 2016, were compared with non-Indigenous users. Changes in psychological distress, depression and anxiety were measured using the Kessler 10-Item (K-10), Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item (PHQ-9), and Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale 7-Item (GAD-7), respectively. RESULTS: Of 23,235 people who completed a MindSpot assessment between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2016, 780 (3.4%) identified as Indigenous Australian. They had higher symptom scores, were more likely to live in a remote location, and a third reported no previous contact with mental health services. Fewer Indigenous patients enrolled in a treatment course, but those who did had similar rates of completion and similar reductions in symptoms to non-Indigenous patients. CONCLUSIONS: MindSpot treatments were effective in treating anxiety and depression in Indigenous Australians, and outcomes were similar to those of non-Indigenous patients. Services like MindSpot are a treatment option that can help overcome barriers to mental health care for Indigenous Australians.
Entities:
Keywords:
Indigenous Australians; MindSpot; barriers to care; eMental Health; rural and remote
Authors: Nickolai Titov; Heather D Hadjistavropoulos; Olav Nielssen; David C Mohr; Gerhard Andersson; Blake F Dear Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2019-08-17 Impact factor: 4.241
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