This online single-session activity can boost hopefulness and sense of control
Submitted by Maria Loades
Online mental health support can be useful for teens who find it difficult to access in-person mental health services. Online mental health support can be made widely available on demand, when a teen wants it and from wherever they want to access it, without waiting. It can also be made available anonymously, meaning they do not have to talk to adults to access it.
Researchers at the University of Bath wanted to find out what UK teens (aged 13–18 years old) thought about Project Action Brings Change (ABC), a self-help mental health activity completed online in one sitting. We were interested in how hopeful/hopeless and in control of their life teens felt before and after completing the Project ABC activity, and what they liked and disliked about it.
In total, 401 teens completed Project ABC. Younger teens (aged 13–15), teens who reported they had higher hope and control over their life before completing the activity, and teens who identified as a sexual minority were more likely to fully complete the activity. Teens who competed the activity reported increased feelings of hope, and decreased feelings of hopelessness, and increased sense of control over life immediately after the activity. They also rated Project ABC as being enjoyable and useful.
More research is needed that compares Project ABC to other types of mental health support and across longer periods of time. However, these findings suggest it might be a promising form of support for teens.
Find out more about activities like Project ABC at unlockwellbeing.org.uk
I’m a young person – what does this mean for me?
A short (15-20 minute) online activity can help teens to feel more hopeful and more in control in their lives.
I’m a parent - what does this mean for me?
Even if it’s hard to get timely mental health help for your teen, or to convince them to engage in longer term therapy, self-guided single sessions can make a difference to their feelings of hope and sense of control.