Digital Support for Mental Health Patients
The Devon Mental Health Alliance was delighted to partner with Wellmoor in offering a Digital Support Project for Mental Health patients.
Wellmoor, part of Moretonhampstead Development Trust, aims to empower whole community wellbeing. They do this by working to enable, facilitate, coordinate and connect health and wellbeing initiatives to meet the needs of people living in the area.
From February to June 2024, 10 patients received digital support during the project. 7 patients received one to one sessions, 3 were referred from the Recovery & Rehabilitation team at Devon Partnership Trust (DPT) and 7 attended our Digital Skills session at the Link Centre in Ilfracombe.
Factors that stopped people from getting online included -
“I’m worried about online security.”
“I don’t have anyone to help me use the internet.”
Case Study
KW is a man in his 30s, who is currently in temporary housing
He received 3 sessions of digital support since the beginning of February 2024
The sessions took place in a public library, which was a location chosen by KW (as it felt ‘not too formal’)
KW wanted help with finding a new place to live, so Wellmoor’s Digital Support Provider, Penny, helped him with an application for housing and also helped him to browse websites such as Rightmove
After receiving 3 sessions of digital support, K.W. filled out the Digital Skills Checklist and was able to do 14 out of 19 tasks independently, including learning new skills such as connecting a tablet to Bluetooth.
“It’s been great to have help, and it’s useful to see how much I can do!”
“It’s great to see [KW] progressing to the next stage of his life and how digital skills can impact on the next steps he makes, such as finding somewhere more permanent to live. ”
We ran a digital skills session at the Link Centre in Ilfracombe for a mental health support group, attended by 7 people.
Topics covered included -
· Online security
· How to make a strong password
· Searching online for disability resources
· Recovering from a social media hack
· Editing photos and sending them to family on Whatsapp
· Setting up an online selling account
Feedback
“It was wonderful, thanks for being so patient! It helped my confidence which is so important.”
“Very interesting & helpful”
If you have any questions or comments, please contact - katie@wellmoor.org.uk