Co‐designing the InnoWell Platform to deliver the right mental health care first time to regional youth

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Building upon earlier research, a person-centred technology-enabled solution (the InnoWell Platform) is being co-designed and implemented into regional youth primary mental health services to improve clinical safety and service quality. DESIGN: Co-design methodologies of service pathway mapping and participatory design workshops as well as usability testing guide the development and implementation of the InnoWell Platform. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: headspace centres on the North Coast of New South Wales and their associated communities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participation in co-design methodologies, implementation and uptake, identification of youth mental health care needs, and service provision. RESULTS: Nine service pathway mapping (N = 81 participants) and 10 participatory design (N = 48) workshops and usability testing sessions (N = 30) with youth, their supportive others, health professionals, service managers and administrators have been conducted. Four headspace centres have implemented the InnoWell Platform. To date, 120 youth are using the platform and 96 have completed an initial multidimensional assessment. Of these, the majority reported moderate-to-high psychological distress and a quarter reported experiencing high suicidal thoughts and behaviours with subsequent earlier provision of care. Young people have independently commenced recommended online tools and collaborated on clinical care options with their health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings support co-design methodologies for the development of person-centred technology-enabled solutions embedded within youth primary mental health services in regional Australia. The findings further demonstrate that such solutions may improve clinical safety and service quality, which in turn may facilitate the delivery of the right care, first time!