Mood Movement: Exploring existing and emerging technologies to facilitate help-seeking, stigma reduction and support of Young People's mental health

Young people are increasingly engaged with digital technology with the majority connecting to different social media on a daily basis. The speed with which new technologies are emerging is exponential. We also know that the rates of MH concerns in YP are increasing; with 75% of MH problems presenting and being established before the age of 24 (50% before the age of 14).

It is estimated that 20% of adolescents are experiencing a MH concern on an annual basis. The growing importance of engaging with and developing new technologies has been recognised within several government policy documents and E-Health strategies for health and social care have been developed in all four regions of the UK. There is a recognised need to develop online support mechanisms that offer tailored advice or emergency support during both in and out-of-hours periods.

The recent COVID19 pandemic has also resulted in a rapid move within clinical services to utilise technology for service delivery; replacing the traditional face-to-face provision. It is believed that virtual modalities will be required extensively now and in the future. This project seeks to establish an interdisciplinary network, which will focus on the use of technology in supporting YP who are experiencing psychological distress; in particular as it relates to help seeking, stigma (a prejudice and discrimination towards someone directly because of a MH issue that they have) reduction and interventions/treatments.

The project therefore aims to address two key challenges: 1. Identify existing and emerging digital technologies that promote MH help-seeking and stigma reduction in YP at risk of MH problems and 2.Understand how existing and newly developed technologies can influence (positively and negatively) adolescent MH concerns and what aspects of these technologies can support those with mental ill health in addition to what aspects can promote resilience.

To do this, we will work closely with a young person's advisory group; placing their voice central to all activities, including the preparation of this proposal. Indeed, eight YP were consulted in early May and were fundamental to helping shape the Mood Movement network, activities, stakeholders, and planned outputs.

This project therefore seeks to update existing knowledge about how and in what ways YP use technology, both existing and emerging, to support a variety of aspects related to their MH. We will do this through five inter-related work-packages;

1) First, we will develop a project brand, website and social media presence to ensure visibility across the sector and within the public, helping us to also get information out to others as quickly as possible;

2) Second, we will engage with YP and their parents/caregivers to ensure that the network structure, stakeholders and activities are all mapping to the topics and issues that are important to them. We want to ensure that our focus and questions are clear, relatable, and meaningful;

3) The third and largest work package will involve hosting four events engaging with a wide range of professionals and early career researchers on key topics within the field,

4) Following the four events, the fourth work package involves the core research team and the young person's advisory group meeting with the MH Foundation to consolidate the knowledge into a first draft consensus statement and research priorities; and

5) The fifth and final work package will undertake a survey of national and international experts concerning the content of the consensus statement to seek their views and agreement. The finalised consensus statement will be shared widely in the UK, Ireland, and internationally ensuring it is useful to those who both experience psychological distress and those who support YP experiencing psychological distress.

This will be nationally and internationally relevant given the common nature of online technologies, and access to international content across countries.