Rapid Report 3: Mental health symptoms, characteristics, and regional variation, for users of an Australian digital mental health service during the first 8 months of COVID-19

• DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2021.100378
• Publication Date: 2021-02-27T10:30:07Z
• Authors: Lauren Staples; Olav Nielssen; Rony Kayrouz; Shane Cross; Eyal Karin; Katie Ryan; Blake Dear; Nickolai Titov
• Keywords: Depression; Pandemic; Demographics; Telehealth

The MindSpot Clinic provides services to Australians with anxiety and depression. Routine data collection means that has been able monitor trends in mental health symptoms service use prior during the COVID-19 pandemic, these have reported two earlier studies. This third study describes user characteristics volumes first 8 months of COVID-19, including a comparison between users from states territories significantly different infection rates.We examined demographics for participants starting an online assessment March October 2020. Participants state Victoria (n = 4203), which experienced larger rate infections relative rest Australia, were compared Australia 10,500). Results also baseline "comparison period" pandemic.A total 14,703 people started 19th 28th We observed peaks demand, one early weeks second August-September when transmission was high Victoria. Mean symptom scores on standardised measures distress (K-10), depression (PHQ-9) (GAD-7) lower this peak but there higher levels concern about Victoria, proportion Victorian respondents they had made significant changes response pandemic. Many their health, such as increased feelings worry. Most implementing strategies help manage psychological impact maintaining social connections limiting exposure news or media.We did not observe clinical measures. However, increases difficulties related particularly Encouragingly, implemented coping strategies. These results continue suggest impacts represent normal abnormal situation rather than emerging crisis. distinction is important we develop individually appropriate proportional system responses.