Getting Help Early: An Online Mental Health Self-assessment Tool for Young People

Background: Online self-assessments are becoming more popular. They can serve as a screening tool for specific conditions or assess mental health more broadly but often lack in depth evaluation.

Methods: This study presents preliminary data from an online self-assessment tool for young people within the age range of 12-30 years (Link: redcap.hmri.org.au/surveys/?s = MK7RCELJ79). It covers key symptoms of mood and psychotic disorders and risk factors, such as eating issues, substance use, suicidality, and deliberate self-harming behaviours. Participants self-assessed their level of functioning, access to ongoing interventions, and satisfaction with the help received. Based on the severity of mental health problems and the level of risk, different recommendations of how to seek help were provided.

Results: Out of 303, 114 participants gave permission to analyse their data. A high-risk profile was defined by anxiety symptoms, panic attacks, suicidal ideation, and urges to self-harm. These individuals were more likely to report psychotic or depression symptoms, recreational substance use and low day-to-day functioning. Ongoing treatment and the satisfaction with it were not determined by the severity of symptoms.

Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that the online self-assessment tool reaches the intended young audience, particularly those with some degree of mental health problems.