Platform Research Presentations: Mental Health and Eating Disorders
A Randomised Controlled Trial of an Online Mental Health Help-Seeking Tool for Young People: The Link Project

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.10.030Get rights and content

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Purpose

One in four young people experience mental disorders, yet only 35% seek help. Readiness for, and access to care are barriers. Innovative online services to improve help-seeking are rarely evaluated yet have the potential overcome barriers, and increase access to resources using technology youth are familiar with. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, we co-designed with young people and service providers an online tool (Link) directing youth to appropriate resources based on symptoms,

Methods

Following CONSORT guidelines we conducted an online RCT (2015) utilizing the survey/trial tool QuON. Recruitment utilized Facebook exchange and electronic direct mail. Participant inclusion criteria were residing in Australia and aged between 18 and 25 years. Consenting participants completed a baseline survey and were then stratified by gender and a binary variable (high/low) for probability of mental disorder (K10 ) into four strata then block randomized into either being directed to the Link

Results

413, 18-25 year-olds were randomised to either Link (205) or usual help-seeking (208); 89% completed the immediate post-randomization survey and 71% the one and three-month follow-ups. Participants were similar between arms at baseline except for difference in prior online mental health information-sought (39% Link vs 26% control), which was therefore adjusted for in all analyses along with study stratification. Mean age was 21 years, 83% were female, 61% had high K10 and 30% had not sought any

Conclusions

An online mental health service navigation tool has benefits in greater lowering of negative affect and increasing quality of life compared to usual help-seeking strategies, and results in more users having found help in the shorter term.

Sources of Support

The Young and Well Cooperative Research Centre.

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