Risks and Opportunities: Mental Health and the Internet
25th February 2010, John McIntyre Centre, University of Edinburgh
The Risks and Opportunities conference has been rescheduled, in order to accomodate a wider range of outstanding speakers.
25th February 2010, John McIntyre Centre, University of Edinburgh
The Risks and Opportunities conference has been rescheduled, in order to accomodate a wider range of outstanding speakers.
We are keen for this event to discuss both the ways in which the internet can affect mental health, and how e-health and online strategies can be developed both to promote mental health and to assist with supporting people with mental health problems to recovery.
Using the internet and new technology may well be a way in which health services and the third sector can deliver more for less in a challenging financial climate. Using the web is certainly a way in which some of Scotland’s geographical barriers can be negotiated.
The relative safety of online identity and participation could well be a medium for engaging new people both in finding support, but also in informing services.
At the very least, looking to the future, Scotland needs to know how we will be using the internet to keep our leading mental health activities fresh, and accessible to people.
Format
The conference will follow three central themes, with plenary sessions and contributions that are relevant across the board.
Plenary Sessions
An introductory session will hear scene setting talks from three experts in the field, each giving a perspective on their work, and how this relates to mental health and mental ill-health and the online world.
Two difficult issues often discussed when considering mental health and the internet are suicide, and eating disorders. The web has been associated with newsgroups and sites promoting suicidal and eating disordered behaviour and with the advent of web 2.0, this risk has been perceived as more acute.
In a plenary on managing difficult issues session two organisations will highlight some of the issues, and talk about how their services are seeking to manage risk and promote the internet in combating suicide and eating disorders. The event takes place during Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
During the afternoon plenary, we will hear from The Technology for Wellbeing Forum based at Trinity College Dublin, and have some discussion about the practical steps, and areas of work that need to considered in taking forward mental health work online in Scotland.
Discussion Seminars
Discussion seminars will enable participants to split into three streams, to hear stimulus presentations and engage in table discussions. The sessions will be repeated in the afternoon, allowing each participant to attend two out of three thematic discussions.
Seminar 1: The Internet as an Information Source
Three websites (National and local) providing an online link to services, activities and information will be presented in brief. Participants will then be able to discuss the risks and opportunities of using the internet to get information to the public.
Seminar 2: The Internet in Delivering Support
We will hear from three examples of activities providing online services to people experiencing mental health problems. Participants will then be able to discuss the risks and opportunities of using the internet to support people experiencing mental health problems.
Seminar 3: The Internet as a Social Space/Setting
This session is designed to enable discussion about the way the internet is used as a social space, by all, including those with experience of mental ill health. It is about ways in which we can use online social capital and interactions to promote, protect and rebuild mental health.
Click here to view the conference programme
Target Audience
This event will have wide appeal. The internet affects so many people, but we feel this event will be of particular interest to health promotion specialists, voluntary and statutory service providers, youth work organisations, academics, online service providers, social networks, and online organisations. We are particularly keen to include people who run forums, or in whose recovery the internet has played a part.
Cost
Rate 1: Voluntary/Community Organisations £95.00 + VAT (£109.25)
Rate 2: Statutory Sector/Academic Organisations £165.00 + VAT (£189.75)
Rate 3: Private Sector Organisations £250.00 + VAT (£287.50)
Please note that VAT will be rising to 17.5% in January. Book now to take advantage of 15% VAT rate!
There will also be a limited number of bursary places available to support individuals and organisations who would benefit from attending, but for whom cost would be a barrier.
Click here to book a place at the conference
If you have any queries please contact:
Janine Bowie, Events Organiser
Scottish Development Centre for Mental Health
17a Graham Street
Edinburgh
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