Harnessing Digital Technology to Bring About Long-Term Recovery in First Episode Psychosis-Presentation and Q&A

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Professor Mario Alvarez-Gimenez presents on the MOST platform, a moderated online social therapy platform being implemented in youth mental health services in Victoria, Australia. The platform aims to improve accessibility, long-term impact, and cost-effectiveness of youth mental health services by integrating online social networking with expert support and evidence-based psychological interventions. The professor discusses the limitations of digital interventions and the negative impact of social media on young people's mental health, emphasizing the need for ethical technology that promotes positive relationships and wellbeing. Findings from pilot studies and a randomized controlled trial of the HORIZONS program, which utilizes the MOST platform for young people with psychosis, are presented. The pilot studies show promising results in terms of engagement and improvements in social connectedness and depression. The randomized controlled trial reveals higher rates of employment and education enrollment and reduced utilization of emergency services among HORIZONS participants compared to the treatment as usual group. The professor concludes by discussing the future of digital interventions in youth mental health, aiming for the digitization of all youth mental health services in Australia within five years.<br /><br />The video also focuses on the development of the MOST platform by Professor Mario Alvarez-Jimenez. The platform aims to provide sustained support for young people with psychosis after their discharge from specialized services. Combining therapy and social engagement, the platform incorporates guided journeys, tracks, and a toolkit. Artificial intelligence is utilized to offer personalized recommendations and support. The Horizons study findings indicate that continuous engagement with the therapeutic and social aspects of the platform correlates with improvements in psychopathology. The professor emphasizes the importance of refining the platform to better address social functioning. He discusses how MOST is integrated with clinical services, whether used alone or in combination with in-person therapy. Clinicians can incorporate the platform during face-to-face sessions, while it provides additional support between sessions. The involvement of young people in platform development is highlighted, employing them as peer workers and seeking their input on design and direction. The professor concludes by outlining future plans, including the integration of family caregivers and the fair use of AI. The goal is to create accessible and engaging youth mental health services that offer effective treatment when and where it is needed.

Keywords

MOST platform

youth mental health services

online social networking

psychosis

engagement

depression

employment

education enrollment

digital interventions

social functioning

family caregivers