Can digital technologies provide opportunities to support people’s mental health following a traumatic event?

Mental illness is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Each year, almost 4 million people in Australia experience a mental illness, with an estimated cost of 40 billion dollars. It is critical that Australia find efficient and sustainable approaches to support emotional health and where possible prevent mental illness.
It is well established that people who experience trauma have an increased risk of developing a mental illness. Evidence is emerging that preventative interventions and mental health promotion can influence risk and protective factors and reduce the incidence and prevalence of mental illness in specific populations at risk.
This project aims to identify and trial digital technologies which may counteract risk factors following a traumatic event and/or enhance protective factors that improve resistance to developing a mental illness following a traumatic event.
The project will use a comprehensive literature review to identify prevention strategies that could be delivered via digital technology to people who have experienced a traumatic event. Two or three of the most feasible strategies will then be piloted in a research trial with people who have sustained an injury either at work or on the road. The results of the study will be used to develop effective approaches to support a person’s mental health following acute trauma.