Online mental health tool launched

A new online mental health tool, designed to support people living with a mental health issue such as anxiety or depression, was launched on Monday.

Developed by a team of health professionals at the Black Dog Institute, and funded by the federal government, myCompass is an online tool assessing user symptoms which then provides a personalised support program.

The interactive program includes online psychological tools, round-the-clock monitoring of moods and behaviours, and motivational tips via email and SMS.

The tool is part of the federal government’s recently launched e-mental health strategy.

“With four in five Australians turning to the web for information about their health it was critical to develop online tools that provide good information and advice,” Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, said.

“And we also know that one in five Australians will experience a mental illness in a given year but less than half of these people will seek treatment.

“So, anything we can do to help people take the first step in asking for help is a good thing.”

The myCompass developer, Professor Judy Proudfoot, said the tool was evidence-based and complemented traditional health services.

“myCompass has been designed to support people that may not seek help because of lack of time, lack of access to face-to-face services or a fear of stigma,” she said.

“It provides a suite of simple strategies that will educate people to self-monitor and self-manage unhelpful thoughts and behaviour.

“It’s easy to access and simple to understand so you can improve your long-term mental health while you’re waiting for the bus or having lunch.”

The initiative builds on the federal government’s e-Mental Health portal announced earlier this month and is part of a $2.2 billion investment in mental health services.

Research from not-for-profit organisation beyondblue shows older people are not necessarily more prone to depression than other age groups, but there are certain risk factors in late life that can greatly increase people’s chances of developing depression.

The most important message about depression and older people is that depression is not a normal part of ageing and is a common health problem.

A recent study commissioned by beyondblue suggests 10% to 15% of older people living in the community experience depression symptoms and about 10% experience anxiety.  Rates of depression in residential aged care facilities are thought to be much higher, with a recent Australian study showing 34.7% of aged care residents suffering from depression.

Take the first step to reclaiming life by logging onto the myCompass website.