The internet and online communities

Mental health is a big part of society’s health issues. In my first placement I worked in a mental health team I saw first-hand the need for support. People looked for support from all areas and the online community is a big community. We’ve seen the adverts on T.V with people with depression, this advert with John Kirwan  shows that he was looking for support and answers (click the link). These three websites are just a few drawn from facebook, blogs and forums that offer all kinds of advice and support.

 The three sites I have chosen as examples of online communities

1) Depression and bipolar support alliance

Link: https://www.facebook.com/update_security_info.php?wizard=1#!/DBSAlliance

This site is for facebook users as we know facebook is growing fast and the people of all ages and ability are using it, this creates an online population with great knowledge of all ailments. This site is aimed at family and friends and the people themselves who suffer from depression and bipolar.

The site has many online give a ways to create awareness and people leave posts and comments to support other individuals or families with problems.

2) Mental health families blog

Link: http://mental-health.families.com/blog/

This blog is written by Dr. Gregory Jantz he is the founder of The Centre for Counseling and Health Resources, Inc., in Seattle, Washington. He is also the author of more than 20 self-help books - on topics ranging from eating disorders to depression. He offers people insight into mental illnesses, there are a wide range of links to other sites with support. He uses the site regularly and comments on people thoughts. Individuals who follow this blog often comment looking for guidance or just showing appreciation for his time.

3) Healthy place: Americas mental health channel.

Link: http://www.healthyplace.com/forum/

This is a forum page linked from a mental health home page. It offers people with support for a number of mental health issues. People can link other useful sites into forum posts.  The site lets users start their own forum and comment on existing forums, giving them a wide range of knowledge from likeminded people.

Material presented in online packages.

People who have been through or are suffering from mental health issues offer first-hand knowledge to other people’s problems, helping the individual. Support is key when recovering from mental health problems and all these websites offer support in different ways.

People use the sites to gain knowledge into their ailment or to ask for advise. People often share their feelings and have other people comment and give them support, none of these websites with maybe exception to the blog from Dr. Gregory would work if the information was only shared one way.

Occupational transition is viewed by Christian and Townsend, (2010) as circumstances that create a change in an occupational engagement that an individual takes part or is part of.  People who view these sites have often being affected by a change in their occupations, whether that is in family roles or roles in the community, the people who used the setting at which I was based on placement had all had their roles change many were seeking ways to return to previous occupations. These sites are giving them support and advice on why this is happening and that they are not alone in these transitions.

Christansen and Townsend (2010) also describe Occupational disruption as a temporary condition of being restricted from participating in necessary or meaningful occupations, caused by illness, temporary relocation, or temporary unemployment. On my placement I witnessed first-hand how people’s occupations had being disrupted and how stigma affected the individuals within society. People who access these sites are looking to gain support, have some answers and become part of a wider social community. They retrieve valuable information into why people have stigma and how to combat it, so that they are able to function in the community.

Christiansen, C. H., & Townsend, E. A. (2010). Introduction to occupation: the art and science of living (2^nd ed.). New Jersey, USA: Pearson Education Inc

 

Potential ethical issues that may arise in this community

People who access theses site often have “no face”, this may be a good thing as it allows people to have access to valuable information that may in mental health cases be lifesaving. People who suffer from depression need support and may find it difficult to talk to friends. Facebook users have to have an account to use pages that offer support, Facebook requires you to have a valid email address and a profile this is not controlled sites are monitored for abuse and abusive people can have their profile removed. When posting on forums your required to log in with and account to do this you have supply a email address and again abusive comments will get removed, people can read the sites without a account. Blogs allow you to post a comment without using an account and you don’t even have to use your real name, but again abusive comments will be deleted. When using these sites there is a distinct lack of identity and accountability but with proper monitoring comments are controlled and relevant information is shared.

Benefits and limitations of online communities

Allows people with similar interests from all over the world to provide, and use information and advice that is relevant to them. It compliments real life communities for those people who have access to the internet, and provides links to other useful information. The limitations are pretty obvious people may not be able to use the internet due to age, they may not know the sites available for them or may not be connected. The information provided on these sites often aren’t valid and abusive comments may be made, people who police the site have a difficult job to report abuse and ban peoples accounts.