ROdown Blog
The low down on reaching diverse young people
Late last year, a group led by the Inspire Foundation (the folks behind ReachOut.com) and Orygen Youth Health Research Centre received funding from the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) to look at the roe of technology in improving the mental health of four specific groups of young people. These groups were young people aged 12-25 who:
- Care for a family member or friend with a mental or physical illness, disability or substance use problem
- Live with a physical or intellectual disability
- Have a leaning disability, or
- Experience a chronic illness
Aside from writing a background paper on the needs of young people with these life experiences, we facilitated some online discussions with young people. We'd like to send a massive shout out to all of the ReachOut.com members who were part of these discussions and shared their ideas and experiences.
What we found was that there is strong evidence to suggest that young carers and young people living with a chronic illness or some forms of disability, including learning disability, are at greater risk of developing a mental health problem. This risk is a result of a number of complex factors, which vary greatly based on the individual. The good news is that there’s a lot of potential for the community, youth and health services to better support these young people by providing opportunities for people to connect with their peers and with health professionals, share their experiences and raise awareness of what it means to have these life experiences.
Participants also pointed out that having these life experiences aren’t necessarily a bad thing and that we should remember to celebrate the positives.
Over the next few months the group will be preparing a grant proposal to conduct further research into the needs and experiences of these groups.
In the meantime, we'd love to hear from you...what do you think the opportunities are to use technology to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people with these life experiences?
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4 Comments
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Becks
almost 3 years ago
Reply ReportDefinitely. If the YP who experience these life events have connections to information, support and other YP who might be in a similar boat, then I think in the long run that will help them, as they won't feel so isolated. =)
Technology has the power to reach everybody. That's what is so amazing about it! If it can be used for the good, then SO many people are likely to benefit from it. =)
Becks
Michelle-InspireStaff
almost 3 years ago
Reply Reportwow guys! thanks for sharing your thoughts on how we can reach young people who have these life experiences. it sounds like providing opportunities for social connections is a great way of helping people to feel a stronger sense of wellbeing?
Becks
almost 3 years ago
Reply ReportI think this was an amazing project, and I really hope that it gets funding to continue in the future. =)
Honestly, technology could be a really good way to provide support to the YP across Australia that experience any of these specific areas. I think that engaging YP through different types of technology could be a beneficial way to acknowledge and provide support through both the good and bad times that they may experience.
I think giving YP a space where they can be themselves, and talk about their experiences in a safe and positive environment. Reach Out is a brilliant resource that could be promoted in this project, however I think that a more specialised space for these YP would be better for them. As you mentioned above, it is needed that both the good and bad times are acknowledged, and personally, I think this is crucial. YP who have these life experiences probably already feel disconnected from others, because of their day to day lives, so giving them a space where they get the chance to communicate with other YP who may understand or even experience similar could be really beneficial.
Another thing that could work is the use of mobile phones in a supportive way. So perhaps things like support services being text messaged to YP randomly could be helpful, or even YP being called by professionals if they sign up for that. Something to give YP the strength to carry on, when things might be tough for them. Even random inspirational quotes or messages could be generated to YP, so they feel constantly supported, even if they are doing things alone at that moment in time. I dunno, I guess these are random ideas of how mobile phones could be used. Haha.
Even emails could be used. Like YP could access a service like RO, or a more specialised service relating to their experience, and sign up to receive emails from specialised people who work in the field, and these emails could provide information on support services available to the YP, or even dates when events are occurring in their area that they might like to attend, etc.
I guess the reason I've suggested these 3 things is because YP live in a world of technology, and for some YP, it is something which is incorporated into their daily lives. So, using different forms of technology to reach all YP, despite whereabouts in Australia they live. I think that YP need overall, is a place where they can get information, support, and connectedness with other YP experiencing the same or similar life events. YP need to know that they are not alone, and that someone is there for them at all times, whether they are experiencing a positive or negative life experience at the time.
Anyways, I'll stop here. My mini essay is over. I may talk about this more at a later date, but I think for now, I'll leave some space for others. =)
Becks
Ophelia.L
almost 3 years ago
Reply ReportHmm....
Well...lets see...
Quick and easy to access informations needed for themselves and see the lists of things they can do.
I think technology is really great, but I am always hearing the downside of technologies.
So, in a way, technology is great to an extent when needing information, and connecting virtually with other people and seeing more health services out there, also for those living in rural areas.
Thats all I can think of now.