The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Australia is getting a new digital mental health service. Will it help? Here’s what the evidence says

  • Written by Peter Baldwin, Senior Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist at the Black Dog Institute , UNSW Sydney
Australia is getting a new digital mental health service. Will it help? Here’s what the evidence says

In this year’s budget, the federal government announced one of the biggest changes to the mental health system in nearly two decades: a digital early intervention service[1] to relieve Australians’ early psychological distress before it builds into mental illness.

Starting in 2026, and based on the United Kingdom’s Talking Therapies model[2], the service is expected to offer[3] a combination of apps, websites and free telehealth therapy sessions that deliver a type of cognitive behavioural therapy called “low-intensity psychological interventions”.

The idea is that if we detect psychological distress early, we can prevent some people developing mental illness, and allow mental health experts more time to spend with complex patients.

It sounds good in theory, but it doesn’t always work in practice. Here’s what the evidence from the UK and elsewhere shows so far – and what we can learn for Australia’s rollout.

What are the benefits of these programs?

In theory, low-intensity psychological interventions that combine digital tools and telehealth sessions offer patients the same “dose” of treatment while needing less therapist time[4] than conventional psychological treatments. These time savings mean more clinical hours[5] for therapists to see more patients.

Research shows low-intensity interventions can help people improve patients’ mental health, while addressing some big problems in the mental health system[6] such as therapist shortages, long waitlists and the increasing cost of more in-depth therapies.

Looking at service data from UK Talking Therapies clinics, around 50%[7] of UK patients said their mental health was better after four to six sessions with a therapist, either in-person or online depending on availability.

Similar benefits have been shown in other large studies[8] of similar interventions, with most patients getting better within seven therapy sessions.

The Talking Therapies model has translated well to other European countries such as Norway[9] and Spain[10], and we have good reason to think it will work in Australia. In Beyond Blue’s NewAccess[11] service, which trialled the model at three sites from 2013-16, most patients saw real improvements in their anxiety and depression.

What are the downsides?

NHS data[12] show 30-50% of people who use low-intensity psychological interventions don’t respond well due to a range of factors[13] like age, employment status, or disability.

The federal government estimates around 150,000[14] Australians will use the new service each year.

So if non-response rates are similar here, around 45,000-75,000 Australians will still need a higher intensity level of care to get well, putting them back on already intolerable waitlists. The upcoming walk-in Medicare mental health services may not have capacity[15] to help.

While services like UK’s Talking Therapies are meant to reduce these waiting times this isn’t always the case[16], particularly in areas where it’s hard to access mental health care. And once in care, patients don’t always get the care they want or deserve.

Man sits in corner
Not everyone is comfortable accessing services online. Fernando Cferdophotography/Unsplash[17]

A wholly digital service risks alienating some consumers. Blending limited therapist support with apps and websites can be highly effective[18], but not everyone has high speed Internet access and some Australians prefer no therapy to digital therapy[19].

The UK’s Talking Therapies doesn’t[20] seem to address the social determinants of mental illness, such as lack of social connection, unemployment and poverty. We have already seen these impacts in Australia, with single or unemployed people[21] in the NewAccess trial benefiting less than people with relationships or jobs.

Even more worrying, large-scale mental health services aren’t always culturally responsive. Data from the UK’s Talking Therapies shows[22] cultural minorities not only get less benefit than white people, they’re more likely to get worse after treatment. First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse Australians deserve better.

We’re going to need a bigger workforce

A safe, effective[23] Australian Talking Therapies service will need skilled therapists.

However, the mental health workforce is lagging[24] well behind demand and the government has shown little appetite for investing in training.

Psychologists were excluded from the recently announced Commonwealth Prac Payment scheme[25], which pays students to undertake university placements.

And it’s unclear if any funding for the early intervention service will go to expanding the existing psychology workforce. It already delivers[26] around half of all Medicare mental health services in Australia and is qualified to provide low-intensity psychological interventions.

Low-intensity psychological interventions can work in Australia, but they can’t replace the bigger, more urgent reform our mental health system needs. More care for some people isn’t enough; we need better mental health for everyone.

References

  1. ^ digital early intervention service (www.health.gov.au)
  2. ^ Talking Therapies model (www.nhs.uk)
  3. ^ expected to offer (www.abc.net.au)
  4. ^ less therapist time (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  5. ^ more clinical hours (academic.oup.com)
  6. ^ big problems in the mental health system (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  7. ^ around 50% (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  8. ^ other large studies (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  9. ^ Norway (karger.com)
  10. ^ Spain (www.psicothema.com)
  11. ^ Beyond Blue’s NewAccess (www.tandfonline.com)
  12. ^ NHS data (link.springer.com)
  13. ^ range of factors (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  14. ^ around 150,000 (www.health.gov.au)
  15. ^ may not have capacity (www.blackdoginstitute.org.au)
  16. ^ this isn’t always the case (digital.nhs.uk)
  17. ^ Fernando Cferdophotography/Unsplash (unsplash.com)
  18. ^ can be highly effective (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  19. ^ prefer no therapy to digital therapy (journals.sagepub.com)
  20. ^ doesn’t (www.rcpsych.ac.uk)
  21. ^ single or unemployed people (www.tandfonline.com)
  22. ^ shows (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  23. ^ safe, effective (www.cambridge.org)
  24. ^ workforce is lagging (www.health.gov.au)
  25. ^ recently announced Commonwealth Prac Payment scheme (www.education.gov.au)
  26. ^ already delivers (www.aihw.gov.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/australia-is-getting-a-new-digital-mental-health-service-will-it-help-heres-what-the-evidence-says-230961

The Times Features

Dental Implants vs. Dentures: Which Is Better for You?

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, two of the most common options are dental implants and dentures. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so choosing between them ...

What Neck Pain Really Means (And Why It’s More Than Just Poor Posture)

Neck pain is often brushed off as something temporary — a tight spot after a long day at the desk or a poor night’s sleep. But when the discomfort keeps returning, it could be a ...

The Work of Gosha Rubchinskiy: Fashion, Culture, and Youth

From Designer to Cultural Architect Gosha Rubchinskiy is not just a fashion designer—he's a cultural force. Born in Moscow in 1984, Rubchinskiy began his career in fashion in t...

The Power of Community: How Support Services Improve Lives for People with Disabilities

(Source) Community extends beyond geographic boundaries because it creates a sense of belonging, where individuals become both visible and heard through supportive networks. A sui...

Aluminium vs. Steel Ladders: Which One is Best for Your Needs?

(Source) Every homeowner who reaches the attic for cobwebs alongside professional tradespeople finds reliable ladders essential for their work. A comparison between aluminium ladd...

A Parent’s Guide to Choosing the Best Children's Dentist in Bendigo

(Source) Selecting the correct dentist for child dental care seems complicated because you want someone who delivers excellent medical care while handling children effectively. Be...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping