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Advice Tech tools for coping
Dr Nihara Krause on the digital help for young people at the career and education crossroads
ecent research (NHS Digital, 2018*) has confirmed an increase in young people experiencing anxiety – particularly at a time when
school is coming to an end, steps to further education or work are being explored and there’s a move towards independence. While these milestones are normal and necessary, this transition can, for some, prove exceptionally challenging. A uni lifestyle of newly stretched fi nances, changes to sleep, diet and opportunities to socialise can also heighten the problem, as well as being away from the established base of friends and family. Plus the risk of relapse for someone with previous mental ill health is a factor.
The good news is that universities are
recognising the need to help students through this change and a proposed new ‘University Charter’ outlines the importance of providing additional support and ongoing mental health literacy to challenge stigma and increase awareness to early signs of emerging issues. Anxiety disorders are frequently under- diagnosed and under-treated, plus the current dearth of adequate mental health care due to lack of resources is well publicised. However, early intervention in the form of evidence-based treatments
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(such as cognitive behaviour therapy or CBT) is shown to be effective, and stem4 is a London-based, teenage mental health charity that works with secondary schools and offers early digital intervention in the form of health apps. As a clinical psychologist, I have also
worked with a range of secondary schools and universities exploring ways to make transition to university as successful as possible.** Based on requests made by many students seen by the charity, I developed a mobile phone app for young people. ‘Calm Harm’ helps using strategies from evidence-based Dialectic Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and aims to teach impulse control, emotional regulation and tracks underlying triggers to harmful urges. It also helps self-monitor. Calm Harm has met NHS Clinical Governance standards to be included on the NHS App Library. In the 20 months since its launch, Calm
Harm has had close to 950,000 downloads worldwide. Alongside, I developed Clear Fear, which aims to provide young people with tools to help them negotiate some of the challenges they face by offering them relaxation training, self-monitoring and ways of challenging negative thoughts and solving problems. It also harnesses the benefi ts of humour, provides them with motivational quotes and examples
of inspirational people, and endeavours to help them fi nd the ‘grit’ they need to keep going when the going gets tough. Released just before the start of January 2019, it has already had around 35,000 downloads and is particularly popular with older adolescents and young adults. Whilst digital therapies should not be seen as a substitute for face-to-face engagement, assessment and treatment, a handful of studies confi rm that online CBT is as effective as face-to-face treatment and is a convenient approach for young people. It therefore constitutes a fi rst step in helping young people self-monitor and benefi t from simple techniques for anxiety management. Ultimately, going to university is a
joyous experience. It is a step towards independence and exciting future prospects. For most students, it is the best time of their lives and with the right early intervention tools to help iron out problems as they start, both students and families will thrive. l
Dr Nihara Krause is a consultant clinical psychologist, and founder of stem4
www.clearfear.co.uk www.calmharm.co.uk enquiries@stem4.org.uk
*NHS Digital’s survey ‘Mental health of children and young people in England 2017’, MHCYP 2017: Emotional disorders – Tables. Last accessed 18 12 18 **Looking after your mental health at University (2017), Dr Nihara Krause
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