Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Oct 6, 2022
Date Accepted: Mar 8, 2023
Mental health practitioners and young people’s experiences talking about social media within mental health consultations: a qualitative study.
ABSTRACT
Background:
Increasing concerns among mental healthcare professionals have focused on the impact of young people’s use of digital technology and social media on their mental wellbeing. It has been recommended that use of digital technology and social media be routinely explored within clinical consultations.
Objective:
To explore mental health practitioners’ and young people’s experiences of talking about young people’s online activities related to their mental health during clinical consultations. Online activities include use of social media, websites, and messaging.
Methods:
A qualitative study using focus groups (11 participants across 3 groups) with young people aged 16-24, and interviews (8) and focus groups (7 participants across 2 groups) with mental health practitioners in the UK. Young people had experience of mental health problems and of support provided by statutory mental health services or third sector organisations. Practitioners were working in children and young people’s mental health services, within statutory services or third sector organisations such as a university counselling service.
Results:
Practitioners and young people agreed that talking about young people’s online activities related to mental health is important. Mental health practitioners varied in how confident they felt in doing this and were keen to have more guidance. Young people said that practitioners seldom asked about their online activities, but when asked they often felt judged or misunderstood, which precluded more useful conversations. Young people supported the idea of guidance or training for practitioners.
Conclusions:
Practitioners would benefit from structured guidance and professional development to enable them to support young people to feel more willing to disclose and talk about their experiences online and its impact on their mental health. This is reflected in practitioners’ desire for guidance that will improve their confidence and skills and support young people to navigate the challenges of the online world more safely. Clinical Trial: Not applicable
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