Student Health and Wellbeing

Using Technology to Treat Young People with Mental Ill Health

Recently, I attended a webinar presented by Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, in conjunction with Orygen Youth Health that looked at Using Technology to Treat Young People with Mental Ill Health.  The Youth Mental Health Report conducted by Mission Australia suggests that school, body image and depression are among some of the top causes of stress and worry in our young people, and their lack of coping strategies to combat these stressors is of great concern to mental health professionals.

Dr Carr Gregg introduced his audience to some of the newest apps / websites that aim to help young people cope with their stress and worry in effective and efficient ways.  Listed are some of the apps / websites that students may find most helpful as they navigate their way through their senior secondary years:

1. RECHARGE – Move well, sleep well, be well (by ReachOut Australia)
   • Recharge is a personalised six-week program that helps improve your general health and wellbeing by focusing on establishing a good sleep / wake routine – that includes regular exercise and early daylight exposure – to help improve your mood, energy and general health and wellbeing.
2. Youthbeyondblue – The Check In
   • The Check-in app was designed by beyondblue and Two Bulls in consultation with young people to help take the fear out of having a conversation with a friend who might be struggling. This is often not an easy conversation to have and the Check-in app provide building blocks for how you would approach your friend and give you a confidence boost to know what to do if your friend does need support.
3. Breakup Shakeup – The Young & Well Coooperative Research Centre
   • Breakup Shakeup provides ideas for fun, easy things to do to help you cope after a breakup.  The app teaches you that planning activities and increasing your social support will help you recover faster.
4. ReachOut Breath – by ReachOut Australia
   • ReachOut Breathe helps you reduce the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety by slowing down your breathing and your heart rate with your iPhone or Apple Watch.

Useful links...

LOWERED MOOD:

MoodGYM Training Program https://moodgym.anu.edu.au 


ANXIETY:

• The Brave Program https://brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au 

• Smiling Minds http://smilingmind.com.au/ 


GENERAL COUNSELLING:

Eheadspace https://www.eheadspace.org.au/

If you are interested in learning more about online help and resources please contact the College Psychologist.