Promoting Mental Wellbeing in Young People Aged 12–18 Years: Opportunities for Design

Andrea Taylor,Katie Boddie,Susan C Leslie

doi:10.14236/ewic/hci2017.33

Abstract

Young people with poor mental health are more likely to have poor educational attainment, employment prospects and physical health, and mental health problems often persist into adulthood. Mental health promotion aims to elevate levels of mental wellbeing while protecting against its loss and reducing the prevalence of mental health problems. The delivery of and access to mental health promotion has evolved over recent years. This research explored the area of technology for promoting mental wellbeing in young people. The research was in two parts: focus groups with 34 young people aged 12–18 years, which identified a preference for digital sources of support; and a review of 14 apps and websites for supporting 12–18 year olds to promote their mental wellbeing, which identified significant shortfalls. The main contribution to HCI is new insights and opportunities for design to support young people aged 12–18 years to promote their mental wellbeing.

Highlights

Mental health is one of the leading global public health challenges
Five themes were defined from the thematic analysis of the focus group research: 1. Apps and websites for mental wellbeing
Mental health problems can significantly affect young people’s educational and social development, and problems tend to persist into adulthood

Summary

Introduction

Mental health is one of the leading global public health challenges. In the UK, one in four adults and one in ten children and young people are estimatedPromoting Mental Wellbeing in Young People Aged 12–18 Years: Opportunities for Design Taylor ● Leslie ● Boddie to experience a mental health problem in any year (Mental Health Foundation 2015). Mental health is one of the leading global public health challenges. In the UK, one in four adults and one in ten children and young people are estimated. Promoting Mental Wellbeing in Young People Aged 12–18 Years: Opportunities for Design Taylor ● Leslie ● Boddie to experience a mental health problem in any year (Mental Health Foundation 2015). Children and young people with poor mental health are more likely to have poor educational attainment and employment prospects, social relationship difficulties, physical health and substance misuse problems, and to become involved in offending (GOV.UK 2013). Mental health problems constitute the largest single source of world economic burden, with an estimated global cost of £1.6 trillion—greater than cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, cancer and diabetes on their own (Mental Health Foundation 2015).

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Discussion

Conclusion