title: Young men's attitudes and behaviour in relation to mental health and technology: implications for the development of online mental health services.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This mixed-methods study was designed to explore young Australian men's attitudes and behaviour in relation to mental health and technology use to inform the development of online mental health services for young men.
  
  
  METHODS
  National online survey of 486 males (aged 16 to 24) and 17 focus groups involving 118 males (aged 16 to 24).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Young men are heavy users of technology, particularly when it comes to entertainment and connecting with friends, but they are also using technology for finding information and support. The focus group data suggested that young men would be less likely to seek professional help for themselves, citing a preference for self-help and action-oriented strategies instead. Most survey participants reported that they have sought help for a problem online and were satisfied with the help they received. Focus group participants identified potential strategies for how technology could be used to overcome the barriers to help-seeking for young men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The key challenge for online mental health services is to design interventions specifically for young men that are action-based, focus on shifting behaviour and stigma, and are not simply about increasing mental health knowledge. Furthermore, such interventions should be user-driven, informed by young men's views and everyday technology practices, and leverage the influence of peers.
authors.affiliation: Brain & Mind Research Institute, The University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia. louise.ellis@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Louise A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Philippa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Collin
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hurley
authors.forename: Tracey A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Davenport
authors.forename: Jane M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Ian B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Hickie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D013672:Technology; D055815:Young Adult