Exploring the experiences of young people completing the YP‐CORE to capture clinical need on a digital counselling platform

Abstract

Background: Assessing clinical mental health needs through standardised mental health assessment measures is commonplace within young people's mental health services. To date, any investigation into the use of such measures within online services has been limited. Aims:The aim of this research is to contribute to the knowledge base of young people's motivation to complete voluntary standardised mental health assessment measures and how the accuracy of the information derived may be improved.Methods: Participatory action research was utilised to conduct semi-structured interviews with young people (N = 6). Questions were developed using the frameworks of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Self-Determination Theory. The data were analysed using thematic analysis, to develop global themes in response to the research aims.Findings: Global themes identified (N = 6) from six interviews referring to the areas of motivation and experience include "Drivers," "Behavioural Preferences," "Outcomes of Being Honest," "Discomfort," "Internal harmony" and "Self-sabotaging beliefs." Conclusions:The findings from this small-scale research demonstrate the need for transparency online, to instil trust in those completing standardised mental health assessment measures. This may be implemented through co-designed visual materials which contribute to the young people's understanding of how the data collected through assessment will be used and what the response of the service will be following assessment. K E Y W O R D Sdigital mental health, young people, mental health services, online assessment, standardised measures Implications for Practice and Policy• Within online practice, the role of trust extends that of the therapeutic relationship and is essential in the use of collection of standardised mental health assessment measures within online services.