The growing use of digital mental health by young people highlights the value of these options in facilitating access to mental health and wellbeing support, and in assisting to manage high demand for services. Awareness of digital mental health options has been increasing over recent years and many practitioners are now familiar with a range of services and tools available to utilise with their clients. Young people are also expecting their practitioners to have knowledge about these resources, particularly mobile apps.

Despite this awareness, many child and youth practitioners still require guidance and support about how to introduce digital mental health to clients and how to use it within their own clinical practice. The integration of digital mental health requires knowledge of effectiveness and best practice adoption of these services to supplement face-to-face and telehealth care. There is good evidence that client outcomes improve with appropriate use of digital mental health, and there are some excellent resources for prevention and early intervention work with young people.

A recent survey by the e-Mental Health in Practice (eMHPrac) service found that practitioners value training which provides emphasis on translating knowledge to clinical practice by providing case scenario and role play demonstrations. The e-Mental Health in Practice (eMHPrac) service is funded by the Australian Government to increase digital mental health knowledge, skills and confidence in primary care practitioners nationwide and this survey data has informed ongoing training and support options.

This presentation will explore some case scenario examples of how to use digital mental health for prevention and early intervention with young people. These scenarios will focus on how to match specific digital mental health services to a client's individual needs, abilities and desired outcomes and will include resources which provide quick strategies, skills and coping techniques.