originally posted on 30-07-2014 9:02 AM

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

I'm actually not sure, I think sometimes with social media it can be a good idea, but after a while I think the up keep of it will die down and become a not used page. SO maybe a website which is regularly maintained might be better."

@Bee this is a really good point because although many services would like to have facebook pages many lack the resources to keep them going regularly. because of this they don't enable comments. It sounds like unless they can be resourced well it is better to go for useful basic info on a website. 

originally posted on 29-07-2014 11:08 AM

Wow - thank u @Bee for ur responses and they have certainly helped!

As for those #pipedreams - I think it's a fantastic idea. Just having a bit of an idea about who you are going to see and 'spill ur guts' too could take some of the anxiety away...not entirely, but it's nice to know that the counsellor or health worker you are seeing is human too! 

Looking forward to reading your responses to Q6 & 8 soon too.

originally posted on 28-07-2014 11:22 PM

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 only really used headspace and a service provide for victims of crime. I found headspace appealing because they had a website which is how I originally found them and they had a centre near me. Not to mention it was free! I've never used their online service but just knowing that it is there is awesome!

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?

That is the first time that I have heard of them, so obviously I have no clue if there is one in my area. However, I just googled it and if it is offered by a charity but is funded by NSW Health and the NSW Department of Community Services, then yes, there is one in my area.

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?

A website so as we can access information or a website that links us in with other awesome websites that can help us, such as RO.com 🙂

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

Yes, afterall, we are the tech savy generation. There are many different social media platforms that young people use. I've heard it quite a lot that the younger kids are moving away from facebook (although, as mentioned throughout this forum, people are reminded about the GR sessions through facebook) as the older generations are converging on it. I think a popular platform is tumblr but I think that would be a tough one because of the way it is set up. Although it could be useful for targeting those who blog about particular issues. There is also twitter and instagram.

You can promote what the service offers and events offered for young people. I think having a general page as well as location specific pages would work really well.

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 online counselling services, a website that appeals to young people. Perhaps even a fun, challenging online game that can be used to give out helpful information on how to look after yourself and health tips.

originally posted on 30-07-2014 9:22 AM

@stonepixie "You can promote what the service offers and events offered for young people. I think having a general page as well as location specific pages would work really well."

this is a really interesting suggestions because one of the things we have been wondering is should all youth health services:

-      Have their own website? or

-      Have one website per district? or

-      Have one website for the whole state?

It sounds like you are suggesting having a general website for young people (for all NSW???) to point them to all the great resources out there and have a subpage for an individual service?

PS. Sorry I haven't worked out how to quote previous discussions properly yet!!

originally posted on 30-07-2014 6:44 PM

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@Fiona Robards wrote:

@@stonepixie "You can promote what the service offers and events offered for young people. I think having a general page as well as location specific pages would work really well."

 

this is a really interesting suggestions because one of the things we have been wondering is should all youth health services:

-      Have their own website? or

-      Have one website per district? or

-      Have one website for the whole state?

 

It sounds like you are suggesting having a general website for young people (for all NSW???) to point them to all the great resources out there and have a subpage for an individual service?

---

Pretty much what you mentioned last.

It would be great to have just a general website for all of NSW, but then have subpages for the individual services or just the district and then the services be a sub-page of that. 

That way people don't get a false impression of a service being available in their area when it actually isn't.

originally posted on 30-07-2014 5:00 PM

---

Fiona Robards wrote:

 

this is a really interesting suggestions because one of the things we have been wondering is should all youth health services:

-      Have their own website? or

-      Have one website per district? or

-      Have one website for the whole state?

 

It sounds like you are suggesting having a general website for young people (for all NSW???) to point them to all the great resources out there and have a subpage for an individual service?

 

---

@Fiona Robards I guess the thing with some social media is that unless it's maintained it can get lost in the web and be forgotten about. Linking to your comment about whether there should be a website for all of NSW for youth services, or district or one each; Maybe a NSW facebook page could be set up and have listed each area, and have it purely about youth services and be a whole responsibility to keep up, that may ease the work for each service. The other thing is they could be posting up to date info for youth on various issues, or whatever is in the media relating to youth.
The same could be done with a website. Have one overall website, but then have a drop down to each district which then could link you to each individual service?

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

Whilst I don't have an answer for you just yet @Fiona Robards, you can quote a post by clicking on the reply button directly below the post that you wish to quote. Then on the reply page, in the top right hand corner of the text box, you can press on the 'quote' button. 

originally posted on 30-07-2014 9:33 AM

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@stonepixie wrote:

Whilst I don't have an answer for you just yet @Fiona Robards, you can quote a post by clicking on the reply button directly below the post that you wish to quote. Then on the reply page, in the top right hand corner of the text box, you can press on the 'quote' button. 

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yay I did it!! thanks @stonepixie 

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

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@stonepixie wrote:

 

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?

 

A website so as we can access information or a website that links us in with other awesome websites that can help us, such as RO.com 🙂

 

 

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 online counselling services, a website that appeals to young people. Perhaps even a fun, challenging online game that can be used to give out helpful information on how to look after yourself and health tips.

---

Can I second @stonepixie's ideas here? I love these ideas!

I do think that more online counselling is a good idea! I know KHL & EHeadspace are often flooded with people trying access the online services that so many people miss out on talking to someone! I do find accessing online counslling more convienient for me as I often struggle to talk about the issues which affect me. With online counselling, some of the anxiety about talking about these issues is minimised because I can sit privately and cry without anyone knowing I'm crying or shaking prefusly...

originally posted on 30-07-2014 9:05 AM

"I do think that more online counselling is a good idea! I know KHL & EHeadspace are often flooded with people trying access the online services that so many people miss out on talking to someone! I do find accessing online counslling more convienient for me as I often struggle to talk about the issues which affect me."

@Bee and @stonepixie

Good point - these services are in big demand so we need to make sure they have enough resources to keep up! Glad to hear they are useful. 

originally posted on 29-07-2014 11:29 AM

Thx @stonepixie 

U won me over when u mentioned Pinterest - I am a Pinner and I use it for so many reasons, but mostly to keep me inspired and up to date about what's new in social work discussions around the world.

Ur point about fb is a really interesting one and I think that it certainly challenges the myth that fb is the only social media platform that young people use! 

I take on ur point about tumblr - are their other blogging platforms or communities that u think might be useful for us to look into?

originally posted on 30-07-2014 6:38 PM

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sera h wrote:

I take on ur point about tumblr - are their other blogging platforms or communities that u think might be useful for us to look into? 

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There are many different blogging platforms, but the only one that I know has a strong youth presence on it is tumblr. Perhaps you can looked at the search words that are targeted towards google search. Having the right terms will produce more traffic, but I guess the main problem is that people don't know that there are youth specific services out there.

originally posted on 28-07-2014 6:05 PM

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

My Fitness Pal (app)- used every day; FitBit (app)- used every day; mySymptoms (app)- used every day; Better Heath Channel (website- VIC)- used sporatically/ when needed; ReachOut.com- used monthly or when needed... 

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 often search for specific health concerns, causation of certain symptoms, or just to find out ways to improve my diet/ exercise/ wellbeing in general. Often the websites I use will have the information I need. Sometimes it is hard to find health related information from Australian sources.

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?

Depending on the professional/ health concern.. If I was after a GP or doctor, I would go to my local medial centre and find a GP that I like. If it was for mental health- I would have a look at Headspace, or search for local professionals online to see if a counsellor in my area sounds OK. Very rarely I would need to venture out and search for new professionals, as I use the same ones for a long time.. 

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?

[edit] A MH service I used was at the local hospital (many years ago now..), and the counsellor there was fabulous and I went there every week after school for a long time. Funnily enough, they didnt have a website or any online information- but it was the only place I knew that had MH services at the time. If they did have a website- I think it would have really demonstrated that they had a variety of MH professionals and services available and how they can help YP.

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?

No & unsure..

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 mostly, but apps can be beneficial depending on the type of service.

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

Perhaps- on Twitter, I follow a lot of NFP/ health related accounts and they often promote health info that I read regularly, not so much on Facebook.. I think social media is limited to the people who would seek it out/ follow these accounts. I'm not sure if social media promotion would reach those who do not follow these accounts..

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 think websites like ReachOut.com, mindhealth connect/ Link (yawcrc) need to be better promoted to a wider audience (through whichever means are effective)... e.g. through targeted social media advertising etc. I think these establised services are really effective and worthwhile- but it is amazing how many people have never heard of these services. 

originally posted on 29-07-2014 11:18 AM

thank u @Perspicacious  

u r so right when u say there are some great services and resources out there that are not so commonly known and really it is about how we communicate these across to a wider audience. Do u think it's only online we can do this, or do u have any ideas on targeted strategies we can use offline too?

originally posted on 29-07-2014 8:00 PM

thank u @Perspicacious  

u r so right when u say there are some great services and resources out there that are not so commonly known and really it is about how we communicate these across to a wider audience. Do u think it's only online we can do this, or do u have any ideas on targeted strategies we can use offline too?

Hmm.. Doesn't have to be online only... although I am sure it is cheaper and would have a far reach..

I think offline- targeting primary or high schools would be a good idea. I deliever a mental health based presenation in various high schools in Sydney, and students often pick up brouchers and merchandise that I provide.. and they become connected to lot of information about local MH services. In addition, I think if school counsellors, local GPs and various health/ local youth/ sporting centres were able to connect YP with local MH services in some way (brouchers/ leaflets etc)- that could potentially be effective!

originally posted on 28-07-2014 6:35 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?

• RO.com ---> Almost daily (Gee ... I sound like an addict)
• SmilingMinds ----> Whenever I remember ... Generally once a week
• MoodGYM ----> Not anymore, but I used to use it all the time until I completed the course
• Hello Sunday Morning ----> I'm not doing one at the moment, but when I do, it is generally twice a week
• Pinterest ----> It has so many useful (and not so useful) stuff. I'm usually on there every second 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 new ways to cope with my mental health, healthy recipes, exercise stuff. I also search where my nearest doctors are, dentist and pathology collection lab and other health professionals I may need. I also like to search how much services cost. I can generally find what I am looking for, but sometimes the answers can be very vague.

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 generally look online for these professionals. I like to look at the distance to the service and how much they cost. I look at the location to see if they are easily accessible via public transport. If they have a website, I tend to judge them on how professional their websites looks. I'm also more likely to go to one that has a website, rather than one that does not.

originally posted on 28-07-2014 2:31 PM

originally posted on 28-07-2014 2:47 PM

Thanks for joining us Sera! Looking forward to some answers rolling in this afternoon.

*HANDY TIP* if you don't have time to answer all the Qs now - do the first half then come back later! We'll be here all week!