Up to 25% of young people in Denmark report increasing levels of pressure, loneliness, sleep problems, and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Young people in Denmark and globally are increasingly using the internet to seek knowledge, help and support for mental health problems. Online solutions can offer immediate and anonymous help in an autonomous delivery format that is highly scalable. But there is a need for more in-depth knowledge about the potential of online mental health promotion and the effect on young people's mental health.
This PhD project will evaluate the effectiveness of Mindhelper.dk, which is the most comprehensive online youth mental health promotion service in Denmark.
Purpose
The overall objective of the PhD project is to examine the effects of online, unstructured mental health promotion on young people’s well-being. More specifically, The PhD project consists of three (complementary) subprojects that will be addressed in three scientific papers:
- Paper 1: A systematic review assessing quantitative effect evaluations of online, unstructured mental health promotion targeting young people.
- Paper 2: An evaluation of the effect of Mindhelper.dk on young people’s well-being and psychological functioning.
- Paper 3: An evaluation of the effect of Mindhelper.dk on young people’s intentions to help-seeking.
Method
A minimum of 9,426 young people aged 15 to 25 will be recruited through social media and invited to participate in the study. The participants will be randomized to either use Mindhelper.dk (intervention group) or no information about Mindhelper.dk (control group) after responding to a baseline survey. Three follow-up questionnaires will then be sent to the participants 2 weeks after randomization, 6 weeks and 12 weeks after. During the 12 weeks study period, the intervention group will receive inspiration on how to use Mindhelper.
Data is self-reported and includes, among other things, demographic characteristics, measures for use of Mindhelper.dk, as well as validated scales for well-being, psychological functioning and intentions to help-seeking.
Project period
The PhD project run from November 2022 and three years onwards. Results from the sub-studies will be published continuously.
Collaborations and funding provider
The project is carried out in collaboration with Centre for Digital Psychiatry, The Region of Southern Denmark.
The project is funded by Trygfonden, Jaschafonden and Danish Regions (Fælles regionale pulje til forskning i forebyggelse).