Thanks to all who came to the IMH Seminar this morning at Old Broadcasting House. We did a whistle stop tour of some of the current web technologies in use and the issues relating to them individually.

We also discussed, very usefully to my mind, the overalll issues. The sum of which I increasingly find are the foundations for this very blog. I’ve been applying the (many different kinds) of mental health thinking to the internet. That’s no small thing. In fact, it’s a very, very big thing(s). What I got out of this morning’s Seminar was a room full of thinking, ideas, fears, obstructions, constructions and potential for development from a room full of people. Each one with a vested interest in mental health or at least the issues that we (those active in mental health) know are mental health.

It got me thinking about how I would put the development and research that I have been making for the last one and half years in my post here at IMH and my own research prior to that, into a simple set of thoughts. Here’s what I have up to press and forgive me if it’s still somewhat organic.

1) Being anti-internet and concerned about the harmful ‘happenings’ online will not make them go away.

There are many direct workers and individuals managing their own mental health who are ‘anti’ using things in a harmful way - such as alcohol for example. To do this they advocate around safe and responsible ways to use alcohol. They engage with the issue. The prevalence of online bullying and issues relating to suicide are convincing argument as to why mental health skills and knowledge are really needed and of high value on the web. Within organisations of any kind those observing or experiencing bullying expect that the organisation engage with that issue and if necessary bring in specialised support to effect positive change for the whole organisation. That thinking can be applied to online groupings and so can the skills.

2) The issues that are relevant in the use of mental health and web 2.0 apply equally outside of mental health.

All of the issues around online bullying, suicide, over-disclosure, defamation of other individuals or services and how to ‘Police’ these issues are the public domain’s issues too. These are the negative aspects that we are able to tap into easily. The impact on the psyche of the individuals behind Facebook should a person commit suicide through co-ercion or support found on that site would not necessarily be any different to those in a mental health service. In fact - there is a lot around this that that could be a win win in how to effectively address those issues.

3) We don’t need to think about this on our own.

In terms of that win win - we don’t have to do this on our own. We can have help in thinking - from those with digital skills. And we don’t have to do all the thinking and implementation around the risks. We could have very effective collaborations that develop. A by-product naturally of which would be anti-discrimination work - just by having those development conversations with potential stakeholders outside of mental health.

4) We can bring our much valued subset of skills to the conversations.

We apply our thinking on maintaining good emotional wellbeing and mental health everyday in a variety of different ways whether a service user or survivor or a worker. We apply it in practice - whether around information on effective diet or smoking cessation or medication. Or any of the tools that people use to look after their emotional and mental wellbeing. It is almost second nature to us to look at the risks and implications to those tools. We can bring these applications of thought with us to the online conversation . Whatever our perspective in mental health the overall aims remain to promote emotionally healthy and supportive environments for postive mental health to flourish. Online communities are made up of people in real communities.

5) The internet is simply a tool.

The internet itself is used by people. It is stating the obvious but sometimes thats a good place to start. A tool can be used well or badly. Accurate and timely information on how to use that tool are a huge part on whether it is used well for the individual or not. An example of this being talking therapy. When referencing talking therapy to an individual we might start by saying that it’s not something that every individual finds helpful. We might go on to describe the different kinds of talking therapies available, the thinking behind them, where they can be found, the postive and negatives with them. We may them support someone to access counselling - whether in making initial contact or even getting door to door. For some people - talking therapy may literally be a lifesaver. For others it may be completely inaffective or worse. It is, like the internet. A tool.

That’s wordier than I’d like - but I suppose the point is that it’s a start. What needs to come next, in my opinion is a network or thinktank (to use an already archaic term) that lays the foundation or framework for mental health practice. And it needs to be made up by a good representation of individuals and services. Not just Primary Care Trusts or medical models (to pick on you NHS - though I use this for example purposes only)

It’s tricky as there are already many different online codes of conduct in use - online therapy services for example. Much in the same way that different organisations have aims and objectives and their own codes of conduct.

In my mind it’s hard to know which should come first - should we attempt this locally within Leeds or should we wait to see if something National is forthcoming?

My view is that a basic National framework with room to develop local framing would be most useful but I also think this won’t be forthcoming for some time. Certainly not that with specific focus on mental health. Its more likely that developing a simple Local Framework from the papers on Digital Inclusion will be a good start, not only to get communication going but also as a means to support each other with development. And finally.

Here’s the link to the blog Lynette Willoughby and I used in development of this morning’s seminar. It holds the overview of the hour and half and has relevant links that may be useful to you. Just click HERE to see it.