Authors: Devon Indig, Craig Gear, Dameyon Bonson
Year: 2016
Event: 2016 TheMHS Conference
Subject: Attitudes, stigma, discrimination, promotion, prevention and early intervention (PPEI), reserach & evaluation informing practice, technology, online services & information, wellbeing, Western Australia, smartphone application
Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers
Abstract: The YFRONTS project is an action research partnership (funded by beyondblue with donations from the Movember Foundation) to use digital platforms to reduce stigma associated with depression and suicidal thoughts among the rural fly-in-fly-out and drive-in-drive-out (FIFO/DIDO) workforce in Western Australia. The FIFO/DIDO lifestyle puts significant pressure on workers and their families, including increased social isolation and reduced likelihood of accessing mainstream mental health services.
The YFRONTS digital intervention (a smartphone application) will be co-designed with male FIFO/DIDO workers and will focus on wellbeing rather than mental illness or the symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts. The approach will promote activities and moderated discussions on protective tasks and activities around the eight domains of wellness.
This study includes a process evaluation of the application development process (including focus groups with co-design workshop participants) and an impact evaluation (including a baseline and 6-month follow-up survey) to assess changes in general wellbeing and stigma for depression and suicidal thoughts among FIFO/DIDO workers. Preliminary results from the first 100 participants in the baseline survey indicate that 80% of FIFO/DIDO workers are interested in the YFRONTS app and 37% indicated they would like support for their mental wellbeing demonstrating the need for this intervention.
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