Www.saudemental.pt - Online Mental Health Literacy

Abstract

Introduction Health Literacy promotes the understanding of basic health information and services. Online health information has been searched by 80% of the internet users, according to a 2006 survey (Fox, 2006). www.saudemental.pt is an online mental health platform, set up in 2015 by a multidisciplinary team, composed by family physicians, psychiatrists and psychologists. It establishes a two-way information flow, because the analysis of the users profile and the pattern of use of the website allows future adaptations on the communication strategy. Objectives and aims Understand the importance of Online Health Literacy in psychiatric diseases. Present www.saudemental.pt and characterize its activity during the first six months of operation. Methods Review of selected literature. Descriptive statistical analysis of the site's activity during the first six months of operation. Results There is a known association between level of education and health, and recent studies suggest that health literacy is one of the factors that mediates this relationship (Heide, 2013). www.saudemental.pt is a simple tool, with great potential to reach a wide audience, providing information and support to patients and caregivers. Preliminary results suggest an average of 30 users/day (80% new users), mainly from Portugal (79%), followed by Brazil (5%). The most visited content was related to mental health; anxiety was the most consulted pathology. Conclusions Psychoeducation is an essential tool in clinical practice. Mental Health services should seek alternative means of information diffusion. Despite being at an early stage of implementation, www.saudemental.pt has proved to be an effective strategy.