Online services allow individuals to keep their anonymity
It’s no secret that mental health issues are on the rise for students in Canada.
In September, The Globe and Mail reported that one fifth of Canadian students are living with some form of mental health issue as demonstrated in the National College Health Assessment.
Unfortunately, many campuses are unable to keep up with the increased demand for counselling services. With wait times for on campus counsellors spanning weeks, many students are seeking out alternatives.
While the internet is often singled out as a cause for increased anxiety among young people, it can also provide platforms through which students can seek mental health advice and support.
Despite an increase in mainstream dialogue regarding mental health, people living with mental health issues continue to face a large amount of stigma. Therefore, a fear of judgement often dissuades people from reaching out for help.
A number of websites that offer services for people with mental health issues prioritize anonymity, allowing individuals to gain more insight into their current mental well-being before they are ready to publicly discuss their issues with others.
Mental health websites can typically be classified into three groups: informational, peer support, and professional support.
Informational websites, such as the Canadian Mental Health Association’s website, can help users understand and gain greater insight into their own behaviours. The site offers statistics and information about different mental illnesses, as well as a directory of local services.
Other sites offer support for more specific issues. In a joint project between the University of Guelph and McGill University, Self-injury Outreach and Support (sioutreach.org) provides resources for those who self-injure, as well as information for families, romantic partners, and friends trying to assist a loved one who self-injures. The site also incorporates some aspects of peer support by sharing stories of those who have struggled with self-harm.
Feeling Better Now, a site which is promoted on the University of Guelph Counselling Services page, is an example of a page that offers professional support. The site allows users to perform an online self-assessment of their mental well-being, which they can print out and bring to their counsellor. The assessment is anonymous, and users do not even need to provide an email to create an account. After completing a series of questions regarding daily mood and experiences, the site offers advice for moving forward. Feeling Better Now aims to help initiate discussion and understanding within counselling sessions.
Just as WebMd cannot replace a trip to the doctor’s office, mental health websites are not on par with professional help as administered by counsellors and psychiatrists. They can, however, provide the opportunity for those who suspect they may be experiencing symptoms of poor mental health to access information and treatment options that can work best for them.
Mental Health photo courtesy via CC0 License.