Reaching the Hard-To-Reach: How Information Communication Technologies Can Reach Young People at Greater Risk of Mental Health Difficulties
Abstract
Objective: Inspire and partners have built an evidence base examining the role technology can play in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people at increased risk of developing mental health difficulties. This paper explores these findings collectively and considers how to best use information communication technologies (ICT) to meet the mental health needs of diverse young people aged 14–25. Conclusions: ICT offers relevant and innovative strategies for young people at increased risk of developing mental health difficulties. Whilst many young people experience social isolation and stigma, the manifestation of these issues and the strategies required to address them vary. ICT-based programs will benefit from identifying which protective factors can be most positively influenced through the unique properties of ICT, amongst whom and how. Challenges to ICT-based health services include inadequate access and training, lower literacy levels and the need for specialized technologies for people with disabilities.
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Internet services have several advantages: no geographical boundaries, generally free to the user, and largely anonymous and private, which is likely to reduce stigma and embarrassment associated with seeking help.
“Internet services have several advantages: no geographical boundaries, services are generally free to the user, and the Internet is largely anonymous and private, which is likely to reduce the stigma and embarrassment associated with seeking help [22].”
From Do online mental health services improve help-seeking for young people? A systematic review (2014) · cites this paper as [22]
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Do online mental health services improve help-seeking for young people? A systematic review
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Stephens-Reicher, J., Metcalf, A., Blanchard, M., Mangan, C., & Burns, J.
- Affiliations
- Inspire Foundation, Rozelle, NSW, Australia, justine@inspire.org.au
- Inspire Foundation, Rozelle, NSW, Australia
- Cooperative Research Centre for Young People, Technology and Wellbeing, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- Venue
- Australasian Psychiatry
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2011-07
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 1_suppl
- Pages
- S58-S61
- ISSN
- 1039-8562 (ISSN-L)
- 1440-1665
- OpenAlex
- W2104483113
- Cited by
- 46
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 3.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Australasian Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Inspire Foundation
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Keywords
- information and communication technologies, digital mental health interventions, social isolation, mental health stigma, protective factors, digital divide, digital literacy, people with disabilities
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Computer Communication Networks, Health Promotion, Health Services Accessibility, Humans, Mental Health Services, Program Development, Consumer Health Information
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