Experiences of Using the Digital Support Tool MeeToo: Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Background Digital peer support is an increasingly used form of mental health support for young people. However, there is a need for more research on the impact of digital peer support and why it has an impact. Objective The aim of this research is to examine young people’s experiences of using a digital peer support tool: MeeToo. After the time of writing, MeeToo has changed their name to Tellmi. MeeToo is an anonymous, fully moderated peer support tool for young people aged 11-25 years. There were two research questions: (1) What impacts did using MeeToo have on young people? (2) Why did using MeeToo have these impacts on young people? Methods A mixed methods study was conducted. It involved secondary analysis of routinely collected feedback questionnaires, which were completed at two time points (T1 and T2) 2-3 months apart. Questionnaires asked about young people’s (N=876) experience of using MeeToo, mental health empowerment, and well-being. Primary data were collected from semistructured interviews with 10 young people. Results Overall, 398 (45.4%) of 876 young people completed the T1 questionnaire, 559 (63.8%) completed the T2 questionnaire, and 81 (9.2%) completed both. Descriptive statistics from the cross-sectional analysis of the questionnaires identified a range of positive impacts of using MeeToo, which included making it easier to talk about difficult things, being part of a supportive community, providing new ways to help oneself, feeling better, and feeling less alone. Subgroup analysis (paired-sample t test) of 58 young females who had completed both T1 and T2 questionnaires showed a small but statistically significant increase in levels of patient activation, one of the subscales of the mental health empowerment scale: time 1 mean=1.83 (95% CI 1.72-1.95), time 2 mean=2.00 (95% CI 1.89-2.11), t59=2.15, and P=.04. Anonymity and the MeeToo sense of community were identified from interviews as possible reasons for why using MeeToo had these impacts. Anonymity helped to create a safe space in which users could express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences freely without the fear of being judged by others. The MeeToo sense of community was described as a valuable form of social connectedness, which in turn had a positive impact on young people’s mental health and made them feel less isolated and alone. Conclusions The findings of this research showed a range of positive impacts and possible processes for young people using MeeToo. Future research is needed to examine how these impacts and processes can be sustained.

Outcomes of Best-Practice Guided Digital Mental Health Interventions for Youth and Young Adults with Emerging Symptoms: Part II. A Systematic Review of User Experience Outcomes

“…Accessibility NR NR There was limited access to the website due to forgetting on not having time. 50% of adolescents reported they would forget to access the website Efficacy = Yes Efficient = NR Ravaccia et al ( 2022 ) To assess the impact of using MeeToo on young people and reasons for these impacts for general wellbeing 1. Usage NR NR At T1, 50% of youth had just started and 37% had been using MeToo for = > 1 mnth.…”

“…We Intervention participation length ranged from 20 days to 12 weeks (M = 7.60 weeks). The average number of modules per intervention was 6.87 (range: 4-12, n = 22), and the average number of modules intended to be completed per week (Ravaccia et al, 2022;Schueller et al, 2019;Sit et al, 2022;Sun et al, 2022), one via telehealth (i.e., Zoom/videoconferencing software; (Harra & Vargas, 2023), and eight via a combination of delivery methods.…”

“…Web or app-based program Ravaccia et al (2022); At T1, 50% of youth had just started and 37% had been using MeToo for ≥ 1 mnth.…”

Digital Technology Use and Mental Health Consultations: Survey of the Views and Experiences of Clinicians and Young People

“…In principle, digital technology provides resources to support and educate those seeking help [ 10 , 11 ], a function that played a particularly important role during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 12 ]. Furthermore, there has been an increasing push to harness digital technology to support mental health, for example, the proliferation of mood-monitoring apps [ 13 ]; web-based support services during crises [ 14 ]; and novel social media platforms designed to cater for mental health, such as those providing a forum for young people to express their feelings and obtain peer support [ 15 ].…”

Developing Suicide Prevention Tools in the Context of Digital Peer Support: Qualitative Analysis of a Workshop With Multidisciplinary Stakeholders

“…An evaluation of the app has identified that Tellmi helps users find new ways of managing their difficulties and that peer support within the app helps users feel less alone and more connected with those experiencing similar issues [ 19 ]. However, Tellmi’s support for young people experiencing severe distress, including suicidal thoughts, is less developed.…”