Mental Health through Internet Technology - Essay Example

?Mental health through internet technology Maintenance of therapeutic communication is considered to be the most essential part of mental health. As a natural social entity, individuals constantly strive to express their viewpoints in social issues and verbalize their personal feelings and emotions to other people in whatever means available. Most mental conditions result to impairments in the quality and quantity of communication. Traditionally, a face- to- face consultation with mental health therapists is the standard intervention when individuals experience clinical manifestations of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. With the advancement in information technology, web- based programs in promoting mental health are starting to penetrate the mainstream and produce cogent rationale on the necessity to upgrade the classic methods of information dissemination, counselling and psychotherapy. In this paper, the potential use of the internet technology in ensuring adequate information access to the young population in Victoria, Australia will be discussed including potential limitations of the online programs. E-mental health is a new system developed to cope with the challenges of healthcare delivery systems (Christensen & Hickie, 2010). With extended geographical distances, Australia initiated online programs to disseminate information and provide psychotherapeutic treatment as needed. Interventions may vary from counselling, individual psychotherapy, utilization of support groups, and other cognitive- behavioural therapies. In terms of projected usage, recent cross- sectional studies by Burns et al. (2010) demonstrated that young people are more likely to use internet services in search for help and assistance to most of their psychosocial problems. The easier accessibility of online programs also showed remarkable results in the participation of young people especially from rural and remote areas in Australia (Bennett et al., 2010). This suggests that internet services have extreme potentials to cover a huge part of the target population. Aside from the basic information dissemination achieved in online programs, the techniques can be enhanced through creative ways such as gaming zones that aim to maintain active participation of respondents, particularly the young men population (Burns et al., 2010). Furthermore, most online programs support the anonymity of the participants (Bennett et al., 2010). As a result, social stigma is prevented because the clients do not need to schedule a clinic visit (Burns et al., 2009). Trust and confidence of users result in a rapid increase in the number of participants. Although numerous online mental health services recently penetrated the mainstream, the uniqueness of the distinguishing characteristics of each group logically demand for a specific program (Stephens-Reicher et al., 2011). In the case of young people with disabilities, there are inconsistencies in the research data from different social scientists regarding potential limitations, enabling factors, and their rate of participation. According to Stephens-Reicher et al. (2011), people with disabilities and chronic illnesses like diabetes and low literacy status may experience challenges to access in internet technology. However, some opinion surveys support that people suffering from a disability or chronic disease actually use internet services on a regular basis, and therefore more likely to be primary consumers of online information about mental health conditions (Christensen et al., 2010). Several known impeding circumstances limit the optimum use of traditional mental health programs in Australia. Positive health- seeking behaviours of most young people are overruled by geographical distance from healthcare facility, perceived cost of consultation, and available community resources. According to Christensen and Hickie (2010), the current mental health programs of Australia continue to neglect the young people population living in remote areas. Despite a serious resource development to promote mental health among the young population in schools, public places, and community outreach programs, the target population catered remains to be limited (Burns et al., 2010). As a consequence, these impediments increase the risk of misdiagnosis and mismanagement that precedes a more severe form of mental condition. Improvements in the mental health programs are geared towards increasing total coverage of the target population through online resources. Since young people tend to use the internet to search for help from other people who may have experienced similar symptoms (Burns et al., 2010), internet- based psychosocial interventions exponentially increase the number of target respondents. Specifically, the major advantage in using the internet in disseminating information about mental health ranges from increased accessibility that overrides geographical distance, to significant reduction in healthcare cost, reduced time allocated in therapist- client interaction (Andrews & Titov, 2010), and faster evaluation and monitoring of the progress of client under the treatment programs (Calear & Christensen, 2010). Numerous websites specific for mental health information access are currently developed to mimic virtual clinics, online support groups, and self- management across different age groups and gender. The Beacon web portal is the leading web- based psychiatric resource that enlists all mental health websites and categorizes them according to the specific mental condition catered and the quality of information available. Some websites enlisted in Beacon portal cater only a specific age group and mental condition. In a review by Christensen et al. (2010), the websites included in the Beacon portal focus mostly on physical health and well- being, while only 40 have relevance to anxiety and 23 about depression. In addition, Beacon administrators provide ratings on the websites according to the level of evidence used in the research trials. Ratings range from -1 to 5, with 5 as the highest reliability (Christensen et al., 2010). These rating scales serve as an important notification about the quality of information available in a specific website. Another way of broadening the total coverage of information dissemination is the use of online social networking. A web- based program called Reach Out is specially designed to cater the psychosocial health needs of participants by encouraging self- expression in personalized profiles, online forums, and using digital media (Nicholas, 2010). The online forums enable the users to gain insight on their mental health status by relating with other people’s perspectives and experience. Although the program have had limitations in reaching out the young men population, the recent incorporation of popular video games to the system increased participation of young men clientele population. Furthermore, the Reach Out program has good ratings based on the number of votes from users and visitors. In an evaluative survey of the website users, 85% of the participants reported that the site is trustworthy and reliable. Positive feedback was also noted from about 80% of the site users while 81% were confident about referring the program to their peers. Some 72% claimed to rely on the website as needed (Burns et al., 2009). Since adolescent and young adult populations are more likely to have access to the internet, web- based programs are likely to cater larger scope of the target population than the traditional face- to- face contact. Aside from information sharing in the internet, mental health interventions for individuals currently suffering from a mental condition can actually benefit from online programs. Research evidence proved that several mental conditions like alcoholism and addiction can actually be managed effectively by online programs (Tait & Christensen, 2010). Self- help programs can be successfully achieved with the use of online resources (Bennett et al., 2010). E-hub is one of the pioneering online systems that catered self- help programs and peer- support schemes. A virtual bulletin board is available to all users, and regulated by specially trained consumers under the supervision of a professional psychologist. An interesting feature of e- hub is that only evidence- based web interventions are included in the system. Thus, direct human involvement may not be necessary although users are able to contact the service psychologist by email for further assistance. In a comprehensive meta- analysis study by Tait and Christensen (2010), results of randomized controlled trials showed that web- based programs have a positive effect comparable to the traditional face- to face- contact for young adults with problematic substance use. Web- based management focused on automated self- assessment using pre- defined tools and different client- focused programs. Instead of the conventional method of providing information through printed materials, web- based programs imparted a creative information sharing through interactive assignments, video clips, and automated feedback. Specifically, a significant reduction in alcohol abuse has been reported with the use of Reach Out Central gaming programs specially designed for participants having problems with alcohol use, erratic coping strategies, and diminished satisfaction with life (Shandley et al., 2010). Moreover, adolescent depression and anxiety can also be managed using internet- based prevention and treatment programs (Calear & Christensen, 2010). In a review of online prevention and treatment programs for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents (Calear & Christensen, 2010), the results imply interesting facts as to the improvement of symptoms using online programs by involving professionals in various implementation settings. For instance, healthcare professionals can effectively evaluate the progress of the program users and facilitate referral as necessary in each case. Virtual clinics are also unique innovations in managing mental health conditions particularly depression and anxiety. Programs like FearFighter, Beating the Blues, Anxiety Online, and CRUfAD are some of the internet therapies available in Australia. These programs are recently being studied for their relative efficiency, affordability, and acceptability compared with the conventional methods of psychotherapy (Andrews & Titov, 2010). Aside from the remarkable reduction in the clinical manifestations of depression and anxiety, these programs are cost- effective in terms of the usage fees compared with clinician- driven interventions. The standard psychiatric intervention using cognitive- behavioural therapy can be carried out in the online programs on a regular weekly schedule with a professional therapist’s assistance (Hickie et al., 2010). Modules may be provided and telephone calls and email conversations are essential part of the mental healthcare management. Besides that, monitoring of the progress of the intervention program was found easier and cost- effective since automated feedback forms are directly consolidated by the programs. The recent innovations in mental health programs can actually be applied in the local setting. Internet access is widely available across the geographic locations. In catering over 180,000 young people aged between 16-25 years of age at high risk of developing a serious mental illness, intervention plan need to be efficiently designed to include rigorous information dissemination to promote mental health and ways to prevent the development of serious illness. Internet- based programs that can be offered to the target population can be a new website that offers social networking, online forums, newsletters, games and entertainment, and multimedia sharing. However, the available online programs like Reach Out and Beacon portal can also be introduced instead of creating another one. There are six pioneering models of web- based mental health services in the mainstream utilized by young people in Australia (Christensen & Hickie, 2010). Stand- alone model systems have the capacity to offer prevention, self-care, and self- help programs using internet websites. Consumer- assisted models highlight peer- support from qualified volunteers as its main defining characteristic offering self- help and early intervention. Virtual clinics are unique innovations that mimic mental health clinics using telephone and email correspondence instead of face-to-face interaction. General practice models offer e-treatment services by professionals using collaborative care approaches. Aside from collaborative interventions, a stepped care model also offers hospitalization orders as necessary in addition to self- help and self- care measures. In the United States, private organizations offer a “packaged care” model to individuals with mental health problems in managed care environments (Christensen & Hickie, 2010). Introduction of the service. The formulated framework of internet service needs to be introduced properly to the target population. Like the Reach Out program, trust is needed to maximize the participation of the young people in the region. Introduction of the service can be initiated in public places, community convening areas, schools, and broadcasted in the local networks. It is also important that the program be recognized by the local government to acquire a legitimate representation. Teachers and healthcare professionals can also facilitate a smooth and effective induction of the online program through a formal recommendation to students and clients. Strengthening and maintenance of the service. After the online program is implemented in the local community setting, specific measures are carried out to ensure that the participants continue to use the service and even recommend it to their peers. Online forums are especially imperative to create an interactive virtual community. Like other online forums, individuals eventually develop a sense of belongingness with other members. Insights are developed as personal experiences, opinions, and perspectives are shared in the forums. Furthermore, user- generated data can also be utilized in developing a personal profile page to provide basic information to other members. It can be patterned in the Reach Out program in which members are encouraged to write a brief description of self as deemed applicable. Likewise, games and other entertainment features can also be added to the system to maintain an active status of each member. Monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the service. Like the conventional face- to- face method of mental health intervention, monitoring and evaluation of progress remain to be essential part of the process. In the online program, automated user- feedback tools can be generated to all participants on a regular basis to determine the efficacy of the intervention. Since this online scheme is expected to generate results more rapidly because of automatic data collation, potential problems of the client are addressed earlier compared with the traditional methods. Although research data consistently support the use of internet- based programs in the early intervention and treatment of mental conditions, prevention of the initiation of substance abuse can be difficult to achieve even when online campaigns adequately provide information about its consequences (Tait & Christensen, 2010). Several personal factors including peer- pressure, family and psychosocial problems play important roles in problematic substance abuse. Thus, information campaigns may not be enough to prevent the development of mental health disparity. Like the conventional psychotherapeutic methods, prevention of depression and anxiety disorders demands further studies because of the complex interplay of numerous psychosocial factors. Unfortunately, there are other aberrations in the internet- based programs in the aspect of quality and source of information. An important disadvantage of using internet and social networking sites in reaching the target population is the potential limitation in controlling the quality and sources of information published in the network. Precisely, the information shared in the online networks is difficult to control and evaluate as to its appropriateness and reliability. Misinformation about the diagnosis and treatment may come from other members who have no professional knowledge of mental health. According to Webb et al. (2008), the unauthorized and informal organization of several depressed individuals without the intervention of a professional therapist can precipitate group- organized violence and suicidal pacts. Client information may be used in destructive ways if not controlled properly. In effect, cyber bullying and offline crimes may result and eventually deters the therapeutic objectives of these online programs. Moreover, the reliance to the information provided by the participant renders internet- based programs inferior compared with real clinic visits. There is virtually no assurance whether the information is valid, true, and most importantly reflects a real person. There remains a good probability that participants make up personal data, stories, and experience. Ultimately, this would consume an enormous amount of data storage capacity that would demand frequent system unavailability due to maintenance procedures. When the online forums become bombarded with false information, the reliability of the entire system degrades as other members with genuine interests eventually lose their trust and confidence to the website. Therefore, the site administrators need to be meticulous in ensuring that only facts are posted in the interactive forums. Likewise, it can also be difficult to validate whether the participants receiving mental health interventions actually followed the prescribed treatment program. Compared with the traditional face- to- face contact with the therapist, extraneous variables are difficult to assess in online programs. External and internal factors may have happened in the clients’ lives along the course of intervention that significantly affected their response. Thus, neither improvement nor aggravation can be directly attributable to the treatment program. Since online programs can be easily accessible anywhere in the globe, it is also difficult to filter the place of origin of the participants. Although the participants of the online program can rapidly increase in the first few months of implementation, it is difficult to determine whether these participants really come from the target population in the specified location of practice. While confinement of the accessibility of the program in the local setting can be a reasonable technique, the young people from the area who travel frequently will definitely encounter problems in accessing the program outside the set place. Research evidence is now widely available to support the use of internet in ensuring an efficient information dissemination, prevention and treatment of mental conditions. Studies have shown the remarkable reductions in the clinical manifestations of problematic substance abuse, depression, and anxiety among the respondents of online mental health programs. In addition, the easy accessibility and versatility of the program superseded classic problems of geographical distances, presumed cost and time, and availability of mental health clinics. Using the internet as a medium of mental health programs to reach the target population is cost- effective, practical, and easier for both the client and the therapist. Specifically, this modern intervention is grounded in the idea that young people are now connected to the internet and benefit from social networking sites in connecting with friends and making acquaintances with other people. However, the limited research studies and meta- analysis of research data as compared with the traditional methods necessitate further investigations to strengthen the validity and reliability of information. While it is a good idea to adapt to this modern inclination, security of information should be taken highest priority to promote safety of subjects. Violence and cyber crimes can easily surface as personal information become readily available to all members. Thus, information shared in the online community need to be evaluated periodically to ensure that safety remains the primordial concern of the website administrators. Finally, any form of modernization of approach in mental health should be evaluated not only on the basis of healthcare cost and practicality. The essential foundations of mental health promotion and prevention of mental illness still depend on the therapeutic relationship established by the therapists with their clients. Thus, the quality of communication between both parties should not be compromised for the sake of cost- reduction. After all, no single intervention fits every individual or group of people. Focused assessment of the innate problem and participant- specific interventions should be valued as individual experiences, perceptions, opinions, emotions, and behaviour can be much diverged. 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