Young people in New Zealand prefer in-person mental health support despite growing up with technology. A University of Otago study found that while many participants looked for online mental health resources, they favored traditional face-to-face help. Chatbots and text counseling were seen as the least helpful. The study suggested exploring podcasts as a new form of mental health support. The findings are significant as a quarter of young people in New Zealand reported high distress levels during the pandemic. The study emphasizes the need for trustworthy and tailored digital supports, highlighting the importance of transparency and security in delivering online mental health interventions.
Source link