Supporting your patients

Communication materials

Materials for consumers and health professionals to help spread the word about Head to Health.

“I use these materials to educate patients on eMH services, provide easy access to crisis numbers and to provide other avenues of support when completing MH care plans.”
Psychologist, regional VIC

Overview

Digital mental health resources and services are available online, via mobile or over the phone. Australia is a world leader in the development of reliable digital mental health programs, and these make a substantial contribution to mental health services across Australia.

Practitioners can use digital mental health resources and services as an adjunct to other treatment, or as a stand-alone intervention.

Types of digital mental health resources

Head to Health offers a curated list of digital mental health resources from trusted Australian organisations:

Phone, chat, or email counselling, for confidential, professional support—in crises, or to address mental health concerns.
Evidence-based web programs and apps that can help build personal skills and track progress—in therapist-assisted or self-guided formats.
Forums and other peer support where people can speak to others with similar experiences.
Websites by trusted organisations that give information and advice on mental health topics.

Benefits of digital mental health

These resources and services can offer:

- Web-based CBT has shown substantial impact in randomised controlled trials.
- Largest effects are shown by therapist-supported services (which typically result in >70% treatment completion rates, 50% reduction in symptoms sustained over time), but unguided resources can also show significant benefits (<25% treatment completion rate, 25% reduction in symptoms).
- The most evidence is for treatments targeting major depression and generalised anxiety, but strong effects have been found for treating conditions such as OCD, PTSD, health anxiety, chronic pain, and others.
- Positive effects are seen with sub-clinical symptoms as well as in established disorders.
- There is less evidence for apps, which often focus on specific symptoms or skills.
Many are available anytime, anywhere—with no waiting time. So, they allow people to seek support in times of need, and when it is most convenient for them. Even if people have slow or unreliable online access, mobile apps and phone support can still be used.
Many services are either free or low-cost to use.
If patients are unwilling to see a mental health practitioner, digital services offer an attractive alternative. Some can even be used anonymously.
A positive experience from digital interventions is an excellent introduction to other forms of psychological treatment.
The number and variety of digital resources and services provides for substantial individual choice.
Digital resources allow users to learn or review concepts and skills online, maximising the impact of clinical sessions.

A closer look

Digital mental health services are particularly useful for people who can’t or won’t access other therapy.

However, they can also be used alongside face-to-face therapy or medication. Practitioners can choose their level of involvement. For example, they can:

  •  suggest or recommend resources people can use to supplement other care
  •  refer to a digital clinical service that involves therapists
  •  show patients how to use digital resources
  •  review patients’ use of digital resources in sessions
  •  use digital resources to inform or structure session segments

To get started, take a look at one or two programs or resources in detail so you feel confident in talking about them with your patients or making a referral. Many online resources allow you to register for a free account. You can look through the resources before suggesting them to others.

Lived experience

Some patients are keen to do their own research. Everyone looks up Dr Google but they have no idea what internet sites are useful or not. This is a great resource to access useful and reliable health care sites. Very helpful guide for parents needing help with their adolescents or to engage the adolescents themselves.

I use Head to Health to encourage ‘self-activation’ of consumers, their families and carers for seeking information/education and supports for a wide range of mental health concerns.

I work for a refuge and outreach support service for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. We use Head to Health to assist young people so they become aware of what options they have to help their mental health and available options that are free or affordable/low cost.

We use Head to Health as part of a ‘softly softly’ approach to introduce patients to focus on mental health.

I use selections of these resources in my counselling business if my clients are needing further support beyond the sessions they have with me.

I’m a practice nurse working in Adelaide, SA, and provide patients with different options for managing mental health. As a practice we are constantly researching for different assistance for our patients and incorporating them into the consultations and health plans.

Next steps

You might find online and phone-based mental health resources helpful. Some suggestions are below. You can find more with our Search tool (opens in a new tab).

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Please note: this is not a crisis support service. If you need help now, visit our crisis support page.

Page last updated 1st June 2021

For Health Professionals

Overview

Types of digital mental health resources

Benefits of digital mental health

A closer look

Digital mental health services are particularly useful for people who can’t or won’t access other therapy.

Lived experience

Next steps

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