Power and Control

A few discussions I’ve had recently around using online mediums for any aspect relating to mental health work.  Whether administrative or recovery/preventative focused have highlighted the issue of Power and Control.

As an Information Service it would be remiss of IMH to overlook Digital Information.  In fact, I think it’s impossible to do so.

I’m interested in people’s fears around online connections and services - or interaction - at base level.

And fear is high on the agenda.

Some of the relevant issues are;

1) people will communicate and commit suicide

2) the kinds of interactions that are happening on social networking are changing the way relationships develop and not necessarily positively

3) remaining safe from abuse - the connections on the internet open up more opportunity for vulnerable people to be preyed upon.

4) online interaction is no replacement for real human interaction - particularly in relation to human healing.

These fears are genuine and well founded.  And for those in mental health there is a another issue.

Blame.

Attributing blame on those seen not to be protecting vulnerable adults from harm is devastating psychologically and professionally.  Getting to grips with new technology’s whilst simultaneously learning and applying changes to The Mental Health Act, the Care Programme Approach, Mental Health Nurse training or any number of learning and changes is an unreasonable expectation on any individual.

But the reality is that people are already on the internet and they are already engaging in the ways that are described in the points above.

We have expertise around these issues - we have understanding of needs of individuals in distress and we are able to support people to develop skills and tools to maintain health emotional and mental health.

So.  How do we bridge our skills to those individuals online?

How do we support our real world mental health service users to use online services and social networking applications in a way that is positive?

What resources can be accessed to develop the digital skills of mental health workers and services users and carers?

How do we promote positive risk taking in the use of the internet without fear of harm and blame if the worst happens?

How do we broaden the discussions needed in relation to mental health work and e-inclusion to every individual or what is homogenously known as ‘The Public’?

We don’t have to solve these problems on our own.

The rest of the online world is also wrestling with these issues.

Using our expertise and applying the problem solving we make everyday in relation to mental ill health is something that it appears would be of great benefit to the rest of that World right now.

The Government is setting the National Digital Inclusion Strategy.

A National Strategy will be informed and will affect Local Strategy.

The internet is not going to go away.  Its use and users grow everyday.

Mental Health work will be applied online - in a variety of different forms.

It already is.