In Australia, mental health issues among young people are a growing concern, with recent statistics showing that nearly 40% of young people (16-25) experience a mental health disorder each year1. Young people face many unique challenges, including academic expectations, social media influences, and uncertainty about the future, which may be contributing to their mental health struggles. Despite the rising awareness of mental health, many young people still struggle in silence, underscoring the critical need for accessible, timely, and effective mental health support tailored to their unique needs and experiences.
Digital mental health resources can be a great tool to use with young people, offering flexible, accessible and often low-cost alternatives to traditional therapy. Many young people express interest in digital mental health resources as they provide a private, controlled environment to seek help, helping to reduce the fear and stigma often associated with seeking mental health support. They are available at any time, from any place so young people can access support they need when they need it. Additionally, many digital interventions designed for young people include interactive and gamified elements, which can make the therapeutic process more engaging and enjoyable for younger users.
While there are many digital mental health resources available, any some are suitable for both youth and adult audiences, there is also a range of resources developed specifically to support children, adolescents and young adults. These resources consider the specific needs and preferences of young people, and are specifically designed to help young people, their families and support people.
Information
Resources that provide information and advice on mental health topics. These services enable young people to better recognise, manage or prevent mental health problems.
Headspace
1800 650 890
Information, tools, and phone and online support for young people (12-25yrs) and their parents and caregivers, with mental health and alcohol and drug use issues.
ReachOut
Information, online forums and individual webchat with a peer worker for young people seeking support to improve wellbeing.
Screening and Referral
These resources include screening tools for specific conditions and/or provide referral to relevant digital and/or face-to-face mental health services.
Momentum
https://www.momentumhub.org.au/
Clinically validated screening measures for young people (7-17yrs) with anxiety and depression, with tailored self-guided online treatment programs.
ADF Path2Help
https://adf.org.au/help-support/path2help/
Online screening portal (ASSIST) providing feedback on the level of associated risk, information, and referral to online or face-to-face alcohol and other drug services. While not specifically designed for young audiences, Path2 Help is suitable to be used by and with young people.
Peer Support
Digital peer support services facilitate connection to either a trained peer worker or a community of peers overseen by a trained moderator. This can includes online forums, phone and SMS/online text services, and apps.
ReachOut
Information, online forums and individual webchat with a peer worker for young people seeking support to improve wellbeing.
My Circle
https://kidshelpline.com.au/my-circle
A safe, confidential peer support platform for young people (12-25yrs) with mental health, relationship and substance use issues to connect and learn from each other.
CanTeen Connect
App linking young people (12-25yrs) to an online community impacted by cancer, with optional website counselling.
Counselling
Provide support for young people to work through a problem or crisis, and offer information on where to get further help if needed.
Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800
Online and phone counselling and information service for young people (5-25yrs).
Beyond Blue
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
1300 22 4636
Information, phone and web-chat counselling, and peer support forum for people going through a tough time. Includes specific information on youth and mental health, and forums to connect with other young people.
Quitline
13 7848
Phone support and coaching to help people to quit smoking or vaping with optional ‘call back’. While not specifically designed for young audiences, Quit is suitable to be used by and with young people.
Crisis Counselling
Lifeline
13 11 14
Phone, text and online counselling and information for people experiencing emotional distress and thoughts of suicide. While not specifically designed for young audiences, Lifeline is suitable to be used by and with young people.
13YARN
13 92 76
An Indigenous-led crisis line for Australia’s First Nations People, providing safe and confidential telephone support. While not specifically designed for young audiences, 13YARN is suitable to be used by and with young people.
1800RESPECT
https://www.1800respect.org.au/
1800 737 732
A domestic, family, and sexual violence phone, video, SMS and web-chat counselling service. While not specifically designed for young audiences, 1800RESPECT is suitable to be used by and with young people.
Symptom Management and Wellbeing Tools
Self-management and wellbeing tools that can play an active role in prevention or psychological interventions but are not designed to serve as a complete treatment.
BITE BACK
Six self-guided, weekly positive psychology challenges for young Australians (13-16yrs), to reduce stress and improve focus, friendships and emotional wellbeing.
Breakup Shakeup
Available on App Store
Behavioural activation app supporting adolescents and young adults to cope after a breakup.
Mello
Available on App Store and Google Play
A CBT, DBT, and ACT-based app to help young people (16-25yrs) break free of repetitive negative thoughts such as worry or rumination.
Sleep Ninja
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/resources-support/digital-tools-apps/sleep-nija/
Available on App Store and Google Play
An app to help young people (12-16yrs) improve their sleep quality.
Bunyarabugalma youth app
Available on App Store and Google Play
SEWB app developed with and by young Indigenous People (12-25yrs) on Bundjalung Country (Murwillumbah and Tweed) to strengthen wellbeing.
WOAH (What’s OK at Home)
A website to help young people (10-17yrs) and their adult allies affected by family violence recognise it and seek help.
Psychological Treatment
Structured, interactive psychological interventions that treat a specific mental health issue.
MOST
Available on App Store and Google Play
Peer and professional web-chat support service with modules to help young people (12-25yr) with depression, anxiety or sleep problems. Available through participating youth mental health services in VIC, QLD, NSW, ACT and WA.
THIS WAY UP ‘Teen Worry and Sadness Program’
https://thiswayup.org.au/programs/teen-worryy-and-sadness-program/
Self-guided or own-clinician-support CBT or MBCT psychological treatment and wellbeing program for teens (12-17yrs) with anxiety/depression. Other programs for adults, perinatal, student, stress and transdiagnostic programs also available. Screening tools also available.
The Brave Program
https://brave4you.psy.uq.edu.au/
Self-guided CBT treatment programs to help children and teenagers (3-17yrs) better cope with their worries, with optional parent or caregiver components.
OCD? Not Me!
An eight-week, self-guided exposure response prevention program for young people (12-18yrs) with OCD. Weekly tips for parents and caregivers.
MindSpot ‘Mood Mechanic Course’
https://www.mindspot.org.au/treatment/our-courses/mood-mechanic-course/
Mental health screening, information and online CBT treatment programs with optional e-therapist guided support for young adults (18-25yrs) to manage anxiety, stress, worry, low mood and depression.
Momentum
Clinically validated screening measures and self-guided CBT treatment programs for young people (7-17yrs) to manage feelings of anxiety and depression, addressing common associated difficulties such as sleep problems and help-seeking.
Hear more about digital mental health for youth
Learn more about digital mental health resources made for young people and ways to use them with our clients by downloading our fact sheet here. You can also download resource sheets from WellMob on ways to use online resources with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth here.
Hear more about some of these resources directly from the people who made them!
S4E5 | Momentum: a new era in personalised digital mental healthcare for young people
In this episode we unpack the evidence behind the Momentum program with Project Lead Professor Sonja March, including the assessment tool that underpins the personalised journey for each individual user of the program. We delve into Momentum’s key features and the different ways that health professional can use the platform with their young clients.
S3E5 | The new wave of youth digital mental health: How MOST is challenging the mental healthcare model for young people
In this episode we talk to Professor Cross and Savannah Whieldon, Orygen Digital’s Queensland Peer Work Coordinator, about the inspiring work that led to MOST and how health professionals can use MOST to support young people. We also delve into the research behind MOST, who the service is best suited to, and what young people have to say about the service.
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