DiGes – Concept of a Digital Information Platform for Parents Regarding the Mental Health of Pupils

The Federal Ministry of Health's 2018 Children and Youth Health Survey (HBSC), conducted every 4 years, found that the number of students* with mental health complaints such as increased nervousness, difficulty falling asleep, and depression has increased from about 7% to 25% across all age groups since 2010.  According to another Austria-wide study (MHAT), 20% of 10 to 18-year-olds met the diagnostic criteria of at least one mental illness. Thus, about one fifth of children and adolescents would need special support. For parents, recognizing and classifying mental health impairments in their own child is a hurdle. A low-threshold, digital access (e.g. e-learning platform) of a trustworthy source (e.g. school homepage) concerning the mental health of students should counteract this.

The aim of the DiGes project is to define the concept of a required digital system for parents of students with mental stress. The need for content and use of a platform with digitally prepared information on mental health of students for parents will be developed. This will be done with the participation of affected parents and persons working in the field of mental health of children and adolescents, as well as with representatives of schools. In the course of several design thinking workshops, creative methods will be used to formulate the content and requirements of a possible digital information platform.