Introduction to dNet Services

There are the 3 key service areas that depressioNet provides to clients (visitors to the website).

They are:

1. Information
depressioNet currently provides fairly comprehensive information covering:

• symptoms and causes of depression
• treatment methods and self help
• related conditions

However, it is our goal to review and improve our website content so that it is relevant, covers a wider range of disciplines and treatments methods, and contains the latest information on depression. The Healthcare Professional Advisory Team (HPAT) will be a significant contributor to the improvement of this service area.

2.  Help

Within the Find Help, Browse Resources section there is an extensive database of resources such as support groups, community services, non-profit organisations, healthcare professionals, and events and workshops. There are currently a number of improvement projects underway. These include:

• the transformation of current information into a new database with a search function 
  
• the development of a Resources Team to update information and source new resources
  
• the addition of written material to explain the types of help available and where to find them
  
• increasing the number and distribution of appropriate healthcare professionals so that people living with depression throughout Australia can access practitioners from a range of disciplines (register with depressioNet).
  
• the development of a Healthcare Professional Advisory Team (HPAT) and a Healthcare Professional Community Forum
  
• enhancing our personalised email service, Help in Your Area (HIYA).

The HIYA Care Team provides personalised emails to those seeking help in their area.

We recently carried out a survey of the service and found we had been rated an average of 90/100 for the service provided.  Fantastic news!

Also brought to our attention as a result of the survey, was the fact that many respondents would like a follow up process in place, something that we aim to develop during 2007.

3. Peer Support (Online Care)

Peer support at depressioNet is provided in the form of a messageboard, chatrooms and email support.  Our messageboard contains various forums and topics that members can post to.  It operates a little like a noticeboard except that there are many topics and 'posts' (messages) that are submitted and responded to with high frequency.  For example if someone posts a message that they are having a bad day and that they need a little support, then they are highly likely to receive a number of supportive 'posts' in return.  The chatroom operates at a faster pace and gives members the opportunity to communicate online in real time.

People living with depression (sufferers of depression, their friends, family, and colleagues) who would like to join our messageboard need to read and follow our guidelines before registering.  Members can register and remain anonymous to other users of the board, thereby maintaining privacy and security. We currently have over 10,000 registered members.

In order to keep the messageboard safe, it is moderated 24/7 by the Online Care Team, a group of volunteers and paid staff who have completed special training.  Many team members have also completed ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).  Team members on shift are also able to answer any emails that come in from people looking for further support and/or feedback from depressioNet.

Recently we have sought assistance from Melbourne based practitioners to provide debriefing support to the Online Care Team. The Healthcare Professional Advisory Team (HPAT) will be involved in quality and support processes related to online care in the future.