Abstract
BackgroundDespite a recent proliferation in web-based and digital resources that are designed to assist users in finding appropriate mental health treatment and supportive services, it can be overwhelming, confusing, and difficult for an individual or family member to access and use an appropriate navigation tool. As digital resources are increasingly sought after, there is an urgent need for a clearer understanding of digital navigation tools in order to help link individuals with the tool that is best suited to their needs.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the needs of individuals seeking mental health treatment and supportive services and to quantify their experiences and satisfaction with available digital navigation tools.MethodsA survey was offered via an email newsletter and social media posting throughout the extended membership of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which includes both individuals with a mental health condition and their family members and support networks. A 13-item anonymous survey, which consisted of multiple-choice and open response options, was developed to measure participants’ past use of and experiences with web-based, mobile, and phone-based navigation tools. The survey was available from April 9 through May 21, 2020.ResultsA total of 478 respondents completed the survey; the majority of respondents were female (397/478, 83.1%) and aged ≥35 years (411/478, 86%). Younger respondents were more likely to report seeking mental health services for themselves, while older respondents were more likely to be searching for such services on behalf of a family member. The majority of respondents seeking such services on behalf of a family member (113/194, 58.2%) required a combination of mental health treatment and supportive services. Furthermore, two-thirds of respondents (322/478, 67.4%) used a navigation tool to find treatment or services. The majority of respondents who provided feedback about their experiences with navigation tools (224/280, 80%) reported difficulties, with data availability and accuracy being the most commonly reported issues.ConclusionsThe survey results suggest that issues with data availability and accuracy in available navigation tools remain a major barrier for locating timely and appropriate mental health treatment and supportive services within the population of individuals seeking such services. Particularly for individuals seeking care on behalf of a family member, improving the accuracy of and users’ experiences with navigation tools could have a major impact on effectively connecting people to treatment and support services.
Highlights
1 in 5 adults and 1 in 7 adolescents in the United States experience a mental health condition each year [1,2]
The results from our web-based survey showed that two-thirds (322/478, 67.4%) of adults seeking mental health treatment or support services used web-based, phone, and app-based tools to find resources and information, but the majority (224/280, 80%) experienced difficulties and dissatisfaction largely due to out-of-date and incorrect information
Widespread internet access and increased comfort with web-based tools has resulted in the increased visibility of web-based mental health resources, a lack of reliable curation has led to an accumulation of out-of-date and incorrect information
Summary
1 in 5 adults and 1 in 7 adolescents in the United States experience a mental health condition each year [1,2]. Despite a recent proliferation in web-based and digital resources that are designed to assist users in finding appropriate mental health treatment and supportive services, it can be overwhelming, confusing, and difficult for an individual or family member to access and use an appropriate navigation tool. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the needs of individuals seeking mental health treatment and supportive services and to quantify their experiences and satisfaction with available digital navigation tools. Conclusions: The survey results suggest that issues with data availability and accuracy in available navigation tools remain a major barrier for locating timely and appropriate mental health treatment and supportive services within the population of individuals seeking such services. For individuals seeking care on behalf of a family member, improving the accuracy of and users’ experiences with navigation tools could have a major impact on effectively connecting people to treatment and support services
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