Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Mental Health
Date Submitted: Jun 27, 2020
Date Accepted: Jul 28, 2020
Providing work and study support via an online platform (the headspace Work and Study service) to young people with mental health problems: An observational study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Young people, aged 15-25 years, are at a critical stage of life when they need to navigate vocational pathways and achieve work and study outcomes. Those with mental health problems are particularly at risk of disengagement with work and study and need effective support. The headspace Work and Study (hWS) service is an innovative online platform implemented in Australia to provide such support.
Objective:
This study aimed to determine whether the hWS service has been implemented as planned, provides appropriate support for young people, and is achieving its main goals. The service provides online support for young people aged 15-25 years with mental health problems to achieve work and study goals.
Methods:
Data were collected via two methodologies: the hWS Minimum Data Set, which includes data on all clients in the service, services delivered and service impact (n=1139); and a survey of hWS clients who volunteered to participate in an evaluation of the hWS service (n=137).
Results:
The service was accessed by its defined target group of young people aged 15-25 years with both mental health and work and study difficulties; young people found the online platform acceptable, and the assistance provided and clinical integration useful; and many young people achieved positive work and study outcomes, particularly those who engaged more times with the service. More assistance was sought for work than study goals suggesting that the transition to work may be particularly challenging for young people. One-third of the total sample achieved at least one primary work and/or study outcome, and this increased to 45% for those who engaged with five or more sessions, demonstrating that greater engagement with the service produced better outcomes.
Conclusions:
Critical work and study support can be effectively delivered via an online modality to young people with common mental health problems. Digital services are scaleable to reach many young people, and are of particular value for those with difficulty accessing in-person services.
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