A comparison of Indigenous and non-Indigenous users of MindSpot: an Australian digital mental health service. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Titov, Nickolai; Schofield, Carlie; Staples, Lauren; Dear, Blake F; Nielssen, Olav
• Is Part Of: Australasian psychiatry. Volume 27:Number 4(2019:Aug.)
• Page Start: 352
• Page End: 357
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: MindSpot -- Indigenous Australians -- rural and remote -- barriers to care -- eMental Health; Psychiatry -- Australasia -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1177/1039856218789784
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1039-8562

Abstract

Objective: To report on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) users of MindSpot, a national service for the remote assessment and treatment of anxiety and depression. Methods: The characteristics and treatment outcomes of Indigenous patients who registered with MindSpot between January 2015 and December 2016, were compared with non-Indigenous users. Changes in psychological distress, depression and anxiety were measured using the Kessler 10-Item (K-10), Patient Health Questionnaire 9-Item (PHQ-9), and Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale 7-Item (GAD-7), respectively. Results: Of 23, 235 people who completed a MindSpot assessment between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2016, 780 (3.4%) identified as Indigenous Australian. They had higher symptom scores, were more likely to live in a remote location, and a third reported no previous contact with mental health services. Fewer Indigenous patients enrolled in a treatment course, but those who did had similar rates of completion and similar reductions in symptoms to non-Indigenous patients. Conclusions: MindSpot treatments were effective in treating anxiety and depression in Indigenous Australians, and outcomes were similar to those of non-Indigenous patients. Services like MindSpot are a treatment option that can help overcome barriers to mental health care for Indigenous Australians.