[HAVE YOUR SAY] Technology for your health - ReachOut Forums

mango_splice · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 04-08-2014 11:58 PM

1.Tell us the top 5 apps, websites, games you use for wellbeing/health.

In no particular order:

- Euro Truck Simulator 2

>> Allows me to tune out while remaining at a mental state of awareness. It's like going for a drive, only without the physical risk.

- Bejeweled (any)
>> It's an easy game, and little achievements always help me out of a slump.
- Two Best Friends Play (Youtube channel: thesw1tcher, superbestfriendsplay.com)
>> For 'Let's Plays' of games. Listening to the banter between members of the crew while watching them play games is a lot like having friends around just to chill out when your friends in real life have schedules that don't match yours.

- Duolingo
>> You get to learn languages for free and in the comfort and privacy of your own home. The programs are structured in such a way that each lesson is simple, immediately applicable and rewarding. Moreover, you get a visual representation of your progress and can revisit any lesson at any time.

- Scooby's Workshop (Youtube channel: scooby1961, scoobysworkshop.com)
>>For fitness information and tips. Content is informative, down to earth and digestible, and the presenter is very encouraging.

2. What kind of info about your health do you search for online? Can you find everything you need, or are some things hard to find?

I don't often search for health information online (for that I mostly just ask my mother, who is a nurse) and when I do it is usually with regards to fitness, but when I search for it, search results come relevant and numerous. I would say though that some search results cause me to over-worry about symptoms.

3. If you were going to look for a professional to help you with an issue, how would you go about it?

I first talk about what I perceive to be the problem, then outline why I believe it to be the case. I usually then talk about surrounding factors such as history and environment.

4. Tell us about a health service that you have been to that you like the look and feel of. What did you like about it? If they had a website, would that make any difference to you?

Whether or not having a website improves the experience depends on the type of service. If it is mental health, then yes, it would vastly improve it as not only can the website provide information to the general public, but a range of contacts could be provided. I believe that ReachOut already provides this.

5. Youth health services are ‘one stop shops’ that provide a range of health services (doctor/youth work/counselling etc) to young people (similar to, but not headspace) Do you know about any youth health services? Do you have one in your area? How did you find out about it?

I do not know of any youth health services, but I do know that the local Community Health Centre provides such services. My mother has previously worked there and has told me what they offer.

6. What sorts of technology would you and your friends use if a youth health service had it?

A 24-hour crisis hotline.

7. Do you think social media could be used to promote information and services to young people? What kind and how?

Absolutely. Awareness-raising and general information are useful, but it depends on who the information reaches, and through whom. The most effective method is to use establish outlets with large audiences, such as figureheads and internet celebrities, as well as people who have a community presence.

8. If you had a pot of money, what would be the most important thing for you to spend it on, to improve young people's access to health information and health services using technology?

I would use that money to facilitate the creation of a one-stop site that offers information on different aspects of youth health and wellbeing. It should be attractive and user-friendly, such that while information is detailed and numerous, it is not lost in a clutter of menus and submenus and archives.

sera h · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 05-08-2014 10:54 AM

Thank u to everyone for ur responses - they r so thoughtful and insightful

What u guys have come up with will be presented to youth health workers in rural and city health areas over the coming months to begin with and then hopefully further shape how we deliver services to young people when u need it, and in formats u guys actually want to use.

Thx guys!!

dreamcatcher · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 04-08-2014 4:07 PM

Sorry that took me so long to post! I left it in my drafts and forgot about it! haha 🙂

dreamcatcher · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 04-08-2014 4:05 PM

1.Tell us the top 5 apps, websites, games you use for your wellbeing and health? How often do you use or access them?

Reachout/The Sorter
Hypnosis
Fitness apps (like water tracker/walking tracker)
Sleep tracker
Fitness Pal

I use these all the time (usually once a day) 😄

2. What kind of information about your health do you search for online? Can you find everything you need or are some things you want information on hard to find?

Usually just tips on how to better manage my life, really.

3. If you were going to look for a professional (people like counsellors, doctors or health workers)to help you with an issue, how would you go about it?

Because I'm at uni, I'd probably look at the services the my uni offers online. From there, I'd probably email them before hand, just to make myself feel more calm about it.

4. Tell us about a health service that you have been to that you like the look and feel of (we’re thinking about services like counsellors, doctors, youth workers etc). What was it about the service that you found appealing? If they had website or you if they provided an online service to you, would that make any difference to you?

I've had to use the uni counsellor once or twice, I liked that it was free and easy for students to access and also how open they were to connect. They offered face-to-face, phone calls, emails and even skype. I think the support team have a website with basic fact sheets on MH and coping with exams, etc. I think having a more developed online services would appeal to a lot more people. Not everyone feels comfortable talking directly to someone. Things like the KHL online chat could make a lot of difference, I think

5. Youth health services are ‘one stop shops’ that provide a range of health services to young people like counselling, access to doctors, getting general health information and individual support (similar to, but not headspace) Do you know about any youth health services*? Do you know if you have one in your area? How did you find out about it?

In my hometown we have next to nothing. I'm good friends with someone who works as a social worker at a high school and she and I constantly talk about how little support there is for youth in our area. If we want proper youth services (face to face) it's a good 3 hr drive. If it wasn't for online services, like RO/eheadspace/KHL/Lifeline/etc, we'd have nothing (we do have doctors and a school counsellor, but it's very limited, *sigh*)

6. Thinking about the technology we asked about before, and youth health services – what sorts of technology would you and your friends use if a youth health service had it?

Websites, apps... I think we'd be open to anything, really.

7. Do you think social media could be used to promote information and services to young people? What kind and how?

Yes. Let's be real, Social media is a HUGE part of our lives, I think promoting these things online is one of the most effective ways to get the word our there. I think branching out to more social media outlets (not just FB and Twitter) would be great. Also, get school/uni websites involved. It's not hard for them to send out general emails to remind people to look after themselves.

8. If you had a pot of money, what would be the most important thing for you to spend it on, to improve young people access to health information and health services using technology?

More services (both online and offline) in rural areas. I know that it's hard, the demand is there, just making it happen is the tough thing!

Fiona Robards · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 04-08-2014 4:16 PM

thanks @dreamcatcher

I'm so peased we got your ideas too!

Its very true that dedicated rural services can be quite a distance. Lots of general health serviecs (open to all ages) will also see young people. We have been wondering about how to best let young people know that.... Any thoughts? A youth firendly sticker/badge/sign...?

It's so helpful to have your ideas!!

Fiona Robards · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 01-08-2014 5:04 PM

Heya,

Just a quick message as we head into the weekend...

I’m really hoping that we get a few more responses over the weekend. When we are making the final decisions we want to be be sure we have asked as many young people as we can.

Please, if you have a few minutes, we’d really love to hear you!

Thanks to to the fab young people who have responed so far!!!

sera h · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 01-08-2014 5:20 PM

I'm with @Fiona Robards ...it would be great if we can hear from more members of the reach.out community over the weekend as what we have so far is gold

I'll be checking in over the weekend too if anyone has q's for us!

Fiona Robards · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 30-07-2014 4:57 PM

New question:

Currently there is a Government website for young people: http://youth.nsw.gov.au/

What is useful or not about a government website like this one?

Would you use a website like this one?

Perspicacious · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 04-08-2014 3:26 PM

@Fiona Robards wrote:

New question:

Currently there is a Government website for young people: http://youth.nsw.gov.au/

What is useful or not about a government website like this one?

Would you use a website like this one?

Sorry I missed this extra question.. LUCKY I make it in time 😄 (and I figured out the quote function.. #winning)

My first impression is: it looks and feels like a government website (funnily enough haha) .. perhaps too formal/ too 'adult' and perhaps a bit off putting (depending on age)

By going off the home page- it looks like a news/ policy site and if I regress into my <18 year old self, I wouldnt think that there is access to help or information via this website and probably leave it without much thought (sorry).

My >20 year old self... it's actually quite informative. There seems to be a lot of information which seems fairly self explanatory. I particularly like the 'search by category' as in some circumstances, YP dont actually look for specific info, just browsing/ searching for info etc.

Out of curiosity.. Is the info about local youth centres mentioned earlier on this website? If so, could not find it! 🙂

Fiona Robards · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 04-08-2014 4:06 PM

Hi @@Perspicacious

@Perspicacious wrote:

Out of curiosity.. Is the info about local youth centres mentioned earlier on this website? If so, could not find it! 🙂

You are absolutely right. The Youth Health Serviecs are not listed on this website. In fact, most are not on any website! That's why we would like to know from young people how to best promote the services because its something we'd like to do something about.

stonepixie · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 04-08-2014 5:58 AM

@Fiona Robards wrote:

New question:

Currently there is a Government website for young people: http://youth.nsw.gov.au/

What is useful or not about a government website like this one?

Would you use a website like this one?

Let's just say that I completely forgot to reply to this as I became utterly distracted by one of the side links.

This website seems pretty useful, I would never have known about the 'have your say' website. The political activist in me got caught up in some of the stuff on there.

My entire life can be described in one sentence: It didn't go as planned and that's okay. ツ

Bee · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 31-07-2014 11:19 PM

@Fiona Robards wrote:

New question:

Currently there is a Government website for young people: http://youth.nsw.gov.au/

What is useful or not about a government website like this one?

Would you use a website like this one?

I seem to have missed this one @Fiona Robards

I didn't even know this site existed! So I've just had a really quick skim over a couple of pages on it.

It does have some good info under the few topics I clicked through under the information tab. IT's a simple but effective layout which makes a lot of sense and makes it easy to interpret.

I do think I'd used this website a bit, it's got some organisations I've not heard of which I wish I had already! I think it could link to services in each individual area, like what was being suggested above in various comments. Literally making it a one stop stop for info or links to other sites...

Remember you're amazing just as you are

Fiona Robards · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 29-07-2014 10:53 AM

Hello again,

A big thanks to @Perspicacious @stonepixie and @Bee !!

Wow I’m really impressed we’ve got 3 great responses so far. I realise this is a very long list of questions at one, so as @Sophie mentioned, feel free to break it up and do the first half now and the others later.

As we suspected, there is not much familiarity with youth health series. That might be because most don’t have a website or other online presence! Hopefully we can change that, but to do so we need to work out what you and young people in NSW would like (we really do have a pot of funds we can use to do some of this stuff). Also there are only about 10 in NSW so they are not in every location. And in rural areas there are fewer youth dedicated services. We need to work out how we can let young people know about all of these.

Some of you have mentioned headspace. And it’s really interesting to hear about the websites and apps you are using.

What I’m mostly hearing so far it that it is important for a service to have a website with information about the location and to give a sense of what young people can expect. …and that a regularly maintained website is better than using social media for service promo.

I wonder, when you search for services online, would you ever look up a service directory? For example, there is on in the Northern Sydney called YouthSource which is an app and a website http://youthsource.com.au/. There is also a National App and website called the National Health Drectory http://www.nhsd.com.au/. Would you ever use these? Or are young people more likely to look at websites?

Thank you, your ideas are so very valuable for us to know what is most useful for young people!

bluesandyellows · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 04-08-2014 10:43 PM

1.Tell us the top 5 apps, websites, games you use for your wellbeing and health? How often doyou use or access them?

1. Tumblr to journal. 2. Smiling Mind 3. Pinterest to find craft idea's/distractions 4. My Fitness Pal 5. Youtube (not sure if that all counts but yeah...)

2. What kind of information about your health do you search for online? Can you find everything you need or are some things you want information on hard to find?

I usually browse most things! Symptoms, medications, other peoples stories, services that may be available. Most things are pretty easy to find.

3. If you were going to look for a professional (people like counsellors, doctors or health workers)to help you with an issue, how would you go about it?

I would usually google services in my area so maybe youth services or something and find centres online and see what they offer and then maybe phone or email the service if I think they might help.. Or do it the otherway around for instance I made a Drs appointment but then looked up the GPs profile on their website to find a bit more about them.

4. Tell us about a health service that you have been to that you like the look and feel of (we’re thinking about services like counsellors, doctors, youth workers etc). What was it about the service that you found appealing? If they had website or you if they provided an online service to you, would that make any difference to you?

I've recently been acessing a youth service and their office is very open and bright. It's in a park which is nice and has a rooftop garden which can be really good for appointments to be out in the fresh air. I've used their website to find out more about the services they provide.

5. Youth health services are ‘one stop shops’ that provide a range of health services to young people like counselling, access to doctors, getting general health information and individual support (similar to, but not headspace) Do you know about any youth health services*? Do you know if you have one in your area? How did you find out about it?

I think there are a few in my 'area' but have only stumbled upon many from friends telling me about them. Some I have found online googling or on posters at other youth services or events.

6. Thinking about the technology we asked about before, and youth health services – what sorts of technology would you and your friends use if a youth health service had it?

I think any online services are good and would definitely be utilised. The online counselling seems to be very popular and beneficial for many young people especially those who may be in regional or remote areas. Even basic things like having a facebook page. I follow the facebook page for the youth service I attend as it's a good way of keeping up to date with events and groups they may be running.

7. Do you think social media could be used to promote information and services to young people? What kind and how?

Yes most definitely! Like I just mentioned I find when services have facebook pages it's an easy way for them to share events and groups and other services they provide to young people. I think it's also good because a young person has to 'like' the page to get updates so they aren't being bombarded with things that may not interst them.

8. If you had a pot of money, what would be the most important thing for you to spend it on, to improve young people access to health information and health services using technology?

I'd say increase the number of services available. For instance I know there seems to be very long waits for online counselling services and that can very easily put a young person off accessing support. Also the issues faced by disadvantaged young people not having access to technology. They may only be able to use a computer for an hour at the library and that isn't long enough to access any online counselling services. So better connecting online and perhaps phone counselling services/referrals. And just increasing awareness of what is actually available online.

stonepixie · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 30-07-2014 6:31 PM

@Fiona Robards wrote:

I wonder, when you search for services online, would you ever look up a service directory? For example, there is on in the Northern Sydney called YouthSource which is an app and a website http://youthsource.com.au/. There is also a National App and website called the National Health Directory http://www.nhsd.com.au/. Would you ever use these? Or are young people more likely to look at websites?

I think if young people knew about these directories, they would be more likely to use them, but I personally prefer websites. So it is definitely a preferential thing.

My entire life can be described in one sentence: It didn't go as planned and that's okay. ツ

Bee · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 29-07-2014 9:10 PM

@Fiona Robards I looked at the second site you attached, and the ones listed for my area are the ones I already know about, it doesn't give us any more info than our other local sites... Living in a rural area myself I do find access to certain services is limited, and having to travel a distance which is not always possible.

@sera h That's why I had said it. When I was in high school, my English teacher took on role of school counsellor for a little while, and I did find it was a bit less nerve wracking to talk to her as I already knew a fair bit about who she was. It was the 'talking about me' which I struggled immensely with...

Pinterest has nearly everything on it! So I'm discovering! (Thanks to a friend I signed up 😛 )
Tumblr is a good one too! I'm sure there are some online communities there too, will take a look! 🙂

Remember you're amazing just as you are

Perspicacious · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 29-07-2014 8:12 PM

I wonder, when you search for services online, would you ever look up a service directory? For example, there is on in the Northern Sydney called YouthSource which is an app and a website http://youthsource.com.au/. There is also a National App and website called the National Health Drectory http://www.nhsd.com.au/. Would you ever use these? Or are young people more likely to look at websites?

I only recently discovered mindhealthconnect and the Link service being developed by YAWCRC/ Melb Uni which I think are great tools.. However, whenever I personally have searched for health services, I have never used a directory. Often I search for which ever health concern I am after, and go through the websites that pop up. I think YP are very good at searching the internet effectively and finding information quickly.. so a service directory would have to be worthwhile- user friendly, encompass a range of services and be something a YP would bookmark and head to all the time? 🙂

Fiona Robards · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 30-07-2014 9:06 AM

@Perspicacious "I only recently discovered mindhealthconnect and the Link service being developed by YAWCRC/ Melb Uni which I think are great tools.. However, whenever I personally have searched for health services, I have never used a directory. Often I search for which ever health concern I am after, and go through the websites that pop up. I think YP are very good at searching the internet effectively and finding information quickly.. so a service directory would have to be worthwhile- user friendly, encompass a range of services and be something a YP would bookmark and head to all the time? "

This is good feeback, thanks.

Fiona Robards · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 28-07-2014 4:10 PM

Hello all. I’m Fiona and I work with NSW Kids and Families. I am a Psychologist and I’ve been working in youth health policy for about 7 years.

I’m really looking to hearing your ideas because we really do want to know what you see as the biggest needs for health services who work with young people and how they can better use technology.

Who's going to jump in first?

Sophie-RO · ‎17-03-2022

originally posted on 28-07-2014 2:24 PM

Well the time has come for our week long chat about technology & your health. I'm here to introduce our guests for the week. @sera h and @fiona who are the masterminds behind this and are the ones who will take your opinions to the people that can act on them! They will say hello in a bit but in the mean time I wanted to post the questions that we wanted to ask all of you.

So, if you are from NSW and under 25 we'd love to hear what you think about each of these. Hit reply to answer!