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Background: Bereavement by suicide is associated with a number of consequences including poor mental health outcomes and increased suicide risk. Despite this, the bereaved by suicide may be reluctant to seek help from friends, family, and professionals. Internet forums and social networking sites are a popular avenue of support for the bereaved, but to date there is a lack of research into their use and efficacy., Aims: To survey users of suicide bereavement Internet forums and Facebook groups regarding their help-seeking behaviors, use of forums, and perceived benefits and limitations of such use., Method: This study employed a cross-sectional design in which users of suicide bereavement Internet forums and Facebook groups completed an anonymous online survey., Results: Participants were 222 users of suicide bereavement Internet forums. Most participants (93.2%) had sought face-to-face help from sources other than Internet forums, but were more likely to seek help in the near future from informal rather than formal sources. Forums were perceived as highly beneficial and there were few limitations., Limitations: The generalizability of these results to other internet forums may be limited. Additionally, we were not able to examine differences between forums in terms of quality or user-reported efficacy. Finally, the data reflects the subjective views of forum users, which may differ from the views of moderators or experts., Conclusion: Internet forums, including Facebook groups, appear to be a useful adjunct to face-to-face help-seeking for supporting those who have been bereaved by suicide.

Background: In view of the high co-occurrence of depression and insomnia, a novel way to reduce the risk of escalating depression might be to offer an insomnia intervention. We aimed to assess whether an online self-help insomnia program could reduce depression symptoms., Methods: We did this randomised controlled trial at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. Internet users (aged 18-64 years) with insomnia and depression symptoms, but who did not meet criteria for major depressive disorder, were randomly assigned (1:1), via computer-generated randomisation, to receive SHUTi, a 6 week, modular, online insomnia program based on cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, or HealthWatch, an interactive, attention-matched, internet-based placebo control program. Randomisation was stratified by age and sex. Telephone-based interviewers, statisticians, and chief investigators were masked to group allocation. The primary outcome was depression symptoms at 6 months, as measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The primary analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, number ACTRN12611000121965., Findings: Between April 30, 2013, and June 9, 2014, we randomly assigned 1149 participants to receive SHUTi (n=574) or HealthWatch (n=575), of whom 581 (51%) participants completed the study program assessments at 6 weeks and 504 (44%) participants completed 6 months' follow-up. SHUTi significantly lowered depression symptoms on the PHQ-9 at 6 weeks and 6 months compared with HealthWatch (F[degrees of freedom 2,640·1]=37·2, p<0·0001). Major depressive disorder was diagnosed in 22 (4%) participants at 6 months (n=9 in the SHUTi group and n=13 in the HealthWatch group), with no superior effect of SHUTi versus HealthWatch (Fisher's exact test=0·52; p=0·32). No adverse events were reported., Interpretation: Online cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia treatment is a practical and effective way to reduce depression symptoms and could be capable of reducing depression at the population level by use of a fully automatised system with the potential for wide dissemination., Funding: Australian National Health and Medical Research Council., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose of Review: Depression and anxiety are prevalent among adolescents; however, many young people do not seek help from professional services. This is due, in part, to the inadequacies of existing healthcare systems. This article aims to review the current evidence for e-health interventions for depression and anxiety in youth, as a potential solution to the gaps in mental health service provision., Recent Findings: Five randomized controlled trials reporting on e-health interventions for youth depression or anxiety were identified. Of these, two trials focused exclusively on anxiety symptoms, and three trials examined both anxiety and depression. The majority of trials assessed online cognitive behavioral therapy and focused on prevention rather than treatment. In all but one trial, results demonstrated positive effects for the e-health interventions, relative to the control., Summary: There is growing evidence for the effectiveness of online cognitive behaviour therapy interventions for reducing the level of anxiety and depressive symptoms in adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years, when delivered in school and clinical settings, with some level of supervision. However, there are a number of gaps in the literature. More research is needed to strengthen the evidence base for prevention and treatment programs that are delivered via the internet, particularly for depression.

The impact of Internet communication on adolescent social development is of considerable importance to health professionals, parents and teachers. Online social networking and instant messaging programs are popular utilities amongst a generation of techno-savvy youth. Although these utilities provide varied methods of communication, their social benefits are still in question. This study examined the relationship between online social interaction, perceived social support, self-esteem and psychological distress amongst teens. A total of 400 participants (M(age) = 14.31 years) completed an online survey consisting of parametric and non-parametric measures. No significant relationship was found between online interaction and social support. Time spent interacting online was negatively correlated with self-esteem and psychological distress. While previous research has focused on young adults, this study examines the impact of online social networking on emerging teens. It highlights the need for continued caution in the acceptance of these utilities.

This study examined school counsellors' and parents' experiences of a school-based digital mental health service (Smooth Sailing) that screened students' mental health and provided automated psychological care. The Smooth Sailing service was offered to 4 secondary schools in New South Wales, Australia, for a 6-week trial period with 59 students taking part. The participating school counsellors (n = 4) completed a semi-structured interview to explore their experiences. Parents of students who had consented to being contacted (n = 37/59) were invited to complete an anonymous online survey about their child's participation. Six parents completed the survey. The school counsellors expressed overall support for the service and cited the ease of service use, its ability to identify students at-risk, and the provision of psychoeducation to students as clear benefits. They identified some barriers to the service, such as parental consent and suggested strategies to improve uptake and engagement, such as incentives, more frequent screening and use with older students. Parents also reported positive experiences with the service, expressing appreciation for mental health screening in schools and a new system to connect them and their child to school counselling services. Taken together, these findings provide initial support for delivering the Smooth Sailing service in secondary schools. Trial registration: This trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12617000977370). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental health problems are common among youth in high school, and school counselors play a key role in the provision of school-based mental health care. However, school counselors occupy a multispecialist position that makes it difficult for them to provide care to all of those who are in need in a timely manner. A Web-based mental health service that offers screening, psychological therapy, and monitoring may help counselors manage time and provide additional oversight to students. However, for such a model to be implemented successfully, school counselors' attitudes toward Web-based resources and services need to be measured. Objective: This study aimed to examine the acceptability of a proposed Web-based mental health service, the feasibility of providing this type of service in the school context, and the barriers and facilitators to implementation as perceived by school counselors in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Methods: This study utilized an online cross-sectional survey to measure school counselors' perspectives. Results: A total of 145 school counselors completed the survey. Overall, 82.1% (119/145) thought that the proposed service would be helpful to students. One-third reported that they would recommend the proposed model, with the remaining reporting potential concerns. Years of experience was the only background factor associated with a higher level of comfort with the proposed service (P=.048). Personal beliefs, knowledge and awareness, Internet accessibility, privacy, and confidentiality were found to influence, both positively and negatively, the likelihood of school counselors implementing a Web-based school mental health service. Conclusions: The findings of this study confirmed that greater support and resources are needed to facilitate what is already a challenging and emotionally demanding role for school counselors. Although the school counselors in this study were open to the proposed service model, successful implementation will require that the issues outlined are carefully addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]