An evaluation of an online mental health awareness resource: perspectives of Mindsight certificate holders

Abstract

Rationale: Mental illness is a growing concern with stigma acting as a barrier for help-seeking and accessing appropriate avenues of care. This study aimed to determine the perceptions of the web-based resource Mindsight, which promotes mental health/illness awareness. Methods: A mixed methods research design was used to explore the perceptions of Mindsight certificate holders. In Phase One, an Evaluation of Mindsight survey (n=90) and the Attitudes to Mental Illness questionnaire (n=40) collected participant perceptions of the Mindsight web resource and attitudes towards mental illness. In Phase Two, participants (n=9) provided feedback on the Mindsight web resource during focus group sessions. Results: In Phase One, most participants considered the Mindsight web-based resource to be applicable in their daily lives and indicated they had a greater understanding of mental illness after completion of the resource. In Phase Two, all participants revealed that Mindsight was easy to navigate; however, many thought the resource needed improvements with respect to its cultural representation. Conclusion: Mindsight was found to be useful by Mindsight certificate holders; however, cultural representation needs to be improved.