Click for mental health

Statistics released recently revealed that one in five young Australian men do not think life is worth living.

The Young and Well Co-operative Research Centre national survey also found nearly one in 10 young men thought about taking their own life in the past year and that more than four in 10 experienced psychological distress.

Lead researcher and associate professor Jane Burns, said e-mental health services would allow people to get the help they required at a time appropriate to them.

Recommendations also suggested incorporating music and video game content into services to match the interests of young men.

‘Technology presents our best prospect yet to work directly with young men to create new ways of engagement, new models of care, and greater empowerment for young men in their management of stress and pressure,’ she said.

Cockburn-based psychologist Sophie Henshaw said she had offered an online therapy program since 2010 for recovery from anxiety and depression and found that demand for it, even when used in conjunction with individual therapy, was low.

‘I think online resources are useful, assuming a certain level of interest, discipline and cognitive ability, in conjunction with individual therapy,’ she said.

‘They are probably most valuable where psychologists are few and far between, like in rural settings.

‘However, having recently been out in the Wheatbelt; none of the participants seemed to have made much use of my online stuff either.’

For help or information call lifeline on 131 114 or visit beyondblue.org.