Online Mental

Health Resources
K AY L A W O O D
S H A U N T E L L E FA R D E N
A D A M W H I TC O M B
SHAUNA MOORE

Evidence Based Practice

Evidence based practice is the problemsolving approach to clinical practice that
integrates the conscientious use of best
evidence in combination with a clinicians
expertise and patient preferences and
values in making decisions about patient
care. (Potter and Perry, 2013).

Developing Web-based Online Support Tools:

(Andrews, Drake, Haslett and Munusamy, 2010)

Shared decision-making in a clinical

context includes the consumers and their
clinicians working together toward an
outcome that accommodates the needs
and desires of the consumers and as well
as knowledge of clinician.
It is important for patients to be well
informed and have accessible information
available to them during this process.

Interested in finding out

How patients and family members affected

with mental illness perceive online tools
How different ways of presenting information
through online tools affects individuals approach
their decisions

Some findings
Web has an abundance of
information available, including a lot
of misinformation.
Many people lack the ability to
critically assess information,
especially health information that the
find on the web.
Some patients reported presentation
overload and usability confusion with
hard to navigate sites and that
require user to think too much.

Online Mental Health Information Seeking in

Young Adults with Mental Health Challenges
(Gowen,2013)

Findings suggest
The internet is a major source of information and community, especially among young
adults, who report the highest levels of online presence- 93% of young adults between
18-25 go online.
Many young adults look up information regarding mental health, especially about their
diagnosis and medications and use this information to help them with their care.
The internet is not always ideal source of information as it can often be overwhelming
with the vast amount of information available online and as well as wary of the
accuracy of information
More research is needed in this area to better understand how individuals with mental
illness seek and access online information and support.

Web-Based Follow up Information for and Research on Victims of Sexual Assault.

(Kam
l aksi&Bannn
ig,2012)

Researchers identified a major concern

-many victims of sexual assault are lost to
follow up for recommended medical and
psychological care once discharged from
the emergency department. Without
appropriate health care follow up to
address the risks of infection, pregnancy
and mental health problems, victims tend
to suffer significant consequences.

Interested in finding out

If victims of sexual assault have
access to computers (with
internet) and level of comfort
using internet to obtain
information and participate in
nursing research.
Majority of women did have
access to computers, most
expressed they would feel
comfortable obtaining health
information and participating in
research on-line.

Findings suggest..
Using the internet to conduct
web-based research was shown
to have advantages such as low
cost, east of use, anonymity for
exploring sensitive issues, and
access to hard-to-reach
populations.
This study also revealed a need
to assure this vulnerable
population (victims of sexual
assault) anonymity and security.

NAMI
National Alliance on Mental
Illness
Wide range of information on several
mental illnesses
Site is easy to navigate
Directed towards the everyday
person
Also includes links to several
treatment options
Online support groups and referrals

NIMHNational Institute of Mental

Health
Information on a range of mental
health topics
Information is split by gender and
age making it easy to find more
individualized information
Site is slightly more directed to
those in medical professions
Less links to support/treatment
options, more overall suggestions

SAMHSA
Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration
Geared toward those with substance
abuse issues
Links to various hotlines and
treatment locators
Has information and resources on
prevention, treatments and recovery

Easy to navigate

SPRC
Suicide Prevention Resource
Center
Provides information on suicide;
prevention, knowing the warning
signs and how to cope with
surviving a suicide loss
More geared toward health
professionals interested in the cause
Links to several national and
federal agencies that also offer
information on suicide prevention
Offers many ways to get involved

5 Key Points - Nursing Implications

1. As nurses we should aim to promote mental health awareness and provide

patients and families with knowledge of reputable online resources to aid in
recovery.
2. Internet provides a promising means to provide accessible knowledge to victims
of sexual assault and findings can be generalized to other vulnerable populations
such as those affected by mental health issues
3. Nurses should seek alternative ways to provide important health care and
information by embracing existing technology to provide accurate and timely
health information to patients in an accessible fashion.
4. It is important for patients to be well informed and have accessible information
available to them to make informed decisions
5. Advantages to using online resources include low cost, easy to use and remain
anonymous and access to a wealth of information.

References
Andrews, S.B., Drake, T., Haslett, W. & Munusamy, R. (2010) Developing Web-based Online
Support
Tools: Dartmouth Decision Support Software. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal. 34(1), 37-41. doi:
10.2975/34.1.2010.37.41.

Gowen, K.L. (2013) Online Mental Health Information Seeking in Young Adults with Mental
Health
Challenges. Journal of Technology in Human Services. 1,(1), 97-111. doi:
10.1080/15228835.2013.765533.
Kalmakis, K. & Banning, L. (2012) Web-based Follow-up Information for and Research pm Victims
of Sexual Assault. Online Journal of Nursing Informatics, 16(1), available at http
://ojni.org/issues/?p=1272 .
Potter, P.A. & Perry, A.G.(2013) Fundamentals of Nursing. 8 th ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby,
Elsevier Inc.
Wilson, S.F. & Giddens, J.F. (2013) Health Assessment for Nursing Practice, 5 th ed. St.Louis,
Missouri : Mosby, Elsevier Inc.