This article recommends Web-based networks for healing by enabling sharing of help and support. This would be a simple forum system for social networking, protective and friendly. Service users would be involved in the design of this peer support system. The problem is that a digital society causes social exclusion of service users. This can then worsen their symptoms.
The idea is inspired by activities and research focussing on exercise and team sports, Bristol Active Life Project (BALP), Walking for Health/Rethink. This could be applied to peer support networks.
To ensure involvement of service users an intermediate step is needed towards digital inclusion of mental health sufferers by provision of a peer support network for sharing help and advice. This is necessary because there are advantages and disadvantages for more open peer networking systems.
Advantages of Twitter/Facebook
- Facebook helps depression: Looking at old photos can help treat mental health problems.
- New research discovers emergence of Twitter groupings of people with shared interests.
Disadvantages of Twitter/Facebook
- Trolling
- Arguments
- Irrelevance
- Overcomplicated to use.
- Advertising - can exploit vulnerable people.
- Lack of confidentiality causing fear of participation.
Peer Support Network
The peer
support forum network would be designed to be private to its members, and would
be simple and accessible. This is important for those with different needs and
illnesses.
The
privacy of forums and caution in rate of growth would deal with dangers from disadvantages
of directly applying Twitter and Facebook. Digital inclusion of mental
health patients can thus be encouraged within a safe environment. Assurance is
needed that people posting on the site are considerate and careful, if someone wants
help with a mental health issue, the responder must be constructive. If
someone’s post is not appropriate this needs to be moderated carefully via a
person/people and technology in a diplomatic and sympathetic way. Because as
well as preventing the post from reaching anyone it could harm, it’s essential
to avoid discouragement and harm to the person posting. A mental health
condition may cause difficulties in judging what is or is not appropriate.
The above is essential work as benefits and many other
aspects of everyday life are becoming more dependent on online participation.
No comments:
Post a Comment