Gen Z Consulting Team Helps MindSkiller Improve Young Adult Mental Health Literacy

Gen Z, the generation born between 1997 and 2012, has had to contend with numerous challenges throughout their formative years. The world they are coming of age in is markedly different from that of their predecessors, shaped by turbulent events that have left an unforgettable mark on their adolescence. With increasing competition for resources and housing, along with cultural changes affecting child-raising resulting in loneliness and reduced resilience, it's clear that Gen Z has been dealt a rough hand.

Young people today are experiencing alarmingly high rates of mental illness and psychological distress. According to a report from the Australian Government's National Mental Health Commission (2021, p.17), "30% of those aged between 18-34 experience high and very high levels of psychological distress." This percentage is significantly higher than in other age groups, where less than 20% of individuals above 35 face these issues (National Mental Health Commission, 2021, p.17). Such statistics underscore the need for comprehensive mental health education and targeted interventions for young people to maintain their well-being. Boosting Gen Z mental health literacy is a crucial first step towards achieving this goal - a mission that MindSkiller ardently pursues.

As an animated eLearning platform, MindSkiller provides help-seekers of all ages with a holistic understanding of mental health diagnoses and positive coping behaviour. But what sets MindSkiller apart is its founder, Dr Gary Galambos, who specialises in young adult mental health as the medical director of Uspace - St Vincent's Private Hospital's mental health service for people aged 16 to 30. With this expertise, each MindSkiller module is expertly crafted to be engaging and safe, making the platform a perfect resource for Gen Z to learn about mental health and connect to the necessary support networks.

With a commitment to improving the mental health literacy of young adults, MindSkiller considered the needs of this demographic during the platform's development. A group of seven Gen Zs were consulted to ensure that MindSkiller's content and approach resonated with the unique experiences of this generation. From beta-testing the platform to brainstorming innovative ways to incorporate technological developments, the Gen Z team's contribution to MindSkiller is invaluable. With their proficiency in the online world, this group of young minds brings a dynamic approach to mental health eLearning, keeping the platform engaging for a generation of digital natives.

Speaking with Saul Galambos, the head of the Gen Z team, it is clear that he takes great pride in their work, especially the beta-testing of MindSkiller. Throughout this process, the consulting group "collated all the bugs and our opinions of the website onto a document that ended up being 186 pages," he begins.

And despite being a generation born with a smartphone in hand, Saul admits "[that] we found the way the structure of the website and how everything was laid out to be confusing." Sharing this feedback with the other MindSkiller developers, the Gen Z team recommended adding a page containing all the modules to reduce confusion for first-time users - something that has proven very useful for the platform.

MindSkiller's development has also been supported by the group's research on app design and artificial intelligence (AI).

MindSkillers PLUS services, which provide access to mental health services and therapies from organisations, are a crucial aspect of the platform for those seeking help. One such tool is the BodyFit exercise program. Saul explains that the Gen Z team has "looked into the existing market to see what kind of product we could create as another layer of mental health help." After researching how various exercises could aid individuals with different mental health diagnoses, the team went on to recommend multiple features to improve user experience, such as including a progress bar and customised workouts for individuals with different fitness levels.

Most recently, the Gen Z team has been delving into how to incorporate AI as a triage tool. With the rise of popular AI services like ChatGBT, which are highly favoured among Gen Zs, MindSkiller is embracing these cutting-edge technological developments to aid users while attracting young people to use the platform to improve their mental health literacy.

"The Gen Z team has researched types of software, and specifically different types of chatbots [that could be incorporated in a triage tool]," Saul shares. "AI can incorporate a data-driven aspect into the MindSkiller website, matching users with what they need based on their interactions with the site."

All that to say, the Gen Z team's critical eye for detail and user experience, combined with their digital savviness, has contributed to creating a platform that is both engaging and accessible for young people seeking to enhance their mental health literacy.

Resources:

• https://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov.au/getmedia/2b550057-a66d-49cd-afd5-fa0adcb1f0c6/NMHC_National_Report_2021_Online.pdf
• https://www.aihw.gov.au/mental-health/overview/mental-illness#summary
• https://aifs.gov.au/resources/short-articles/mental-health-literacy-and-interventions-school-aged-children