Co-designing Digital Wellbeing Support for Drought Impacted Communities
Tracks
Bluewater I - In-Person
| Thursday, November 7, 2024 |
| 11:20 AM - 11:50 AM |
| Bluewater I |
Overview
Dr Michelle Sweet, Menzies School Of Health Research
Speaker
Dr Michelle Sweet
Senior Research Officer, Lead Trainer
Menzies School Of Health Research
Co-designing Digital Wellbeing Support for Drought Impacted Communities
Abstract
The Weathering Well digital Mental Health Tool (WWT), developed specifically for use with Australian farming communities impacted by lengthy widespread drought and vulnerable to/or experiencing stress, mental health, wellbeing, and drug and alcohol issues. This presentation will outline the method used to develop the app, and discuss the online training and implementation process.
Description
• The development of the WWT was a collaboration Western Queensland Primary Health Network (WQPHN) initiated and has led development of the WWT in collaboration with Menzies School of Health Research (‘Menzies’), and with the Murrumbidgee PHN.
• The development and co-design of the WWT drew on the experience and expertise of graziers, growers, rural financial counsellors, digital mental health researchers, mental health clinicians and IT specialists from around Australia via a Development Advisory Group (DAG) established in late 2018.
• The WWT is adapted from an existing well-tested and recognised culturally appropriate mental health and substance use digital application for Indigenous Australians; the Stay Strong App designed and evaluated by Menzies as part of its wider e-mental health research program (e-MHPrac).
• ‘Weathering Well’ provides drought-impacted farmers, families and farm workers with a structured low intensity intervention using proven strengths-based Motivational Interviewing, Positive Psychology and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques.
• The WWT is not designed as a ‘self-help app’ for farmers but to be used by a facilitator trained in its use and in guiding a participant through a structured ‘Weathering Well’ session, with potential sessional follow-up on the participant’s goal(s).
• The WWT trained facilitator does not necessarily require clinical or other mental health qualifications but key qualities such as capacity for empathy.
Three Key Learnings:
1. What we learn as we co-design with community
2. Digital tools to support Wellbeing offline
3. Stay Strong concept of practice in rural and remote communities
Description
• The development of the WWT was a collaboration Western Queensland Primary Health Network (WQPHN) initiated and has led development of the WWT in collaboration with Menzies School of Health Research (‘Menzies’), and with the Murrumbidgee PHN.
• The development and co-design of the WWT drew on the experience and expertise of graziers, growers, rural financial counsellors, digital mental health researchers, mental health clinicians and IT specialists from around Australia via a Development Advisory Group (DAG) established in late 2018.
• The WWT is adapted from an existing well-tested and recognised culturally appropriate mental health and substance use digital application for Indigenous Australians; the Stay Strong App designed and evaluated by Menzies as part of its wider e-mental health research program (e-MHPrac).
• ‘Weathering Well’ provides drought-impacted farmers, families and farm workers with a structured low intensity intervention using proven strengths-based Motivational Interviewing, Positive Psychology and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques.
• The WWT is not designed as a ‘self-help app’ for farmers but to be used by a facilitator trained in its use and in guiding a participant through a structured ‘Weathering Well’ session, with potential sessional follow-up on the participant’s goal(s).
• The WWT trained facilitator does not necessarily require clinical or other mental health qualifications but key qualities such as capacity for empathy.
Three Key Learnings:
1. What we learn as we co-design with community
2. Digital tools to support Wellbeing offline
3. Stay Strong concept of practice in rural and remote communities
Biography
Michelle has worked for over 20 years predominately alongside Aboriginal controlled organizations and research Institutions in the Northern Territory. In the past 10 years this has expanded Nationally in a variety of roles as a Researcher, Trainer, Consultant and Manager. Her passions lie with advocating, exploring and developing innovative strategies to improve wellbeing.
