ClearlyMe: Black Dog Institute delivers a new digital tool for teen mental health

Article submitted by: Black Dog Institute

Understanding teen depression

Parents and carers want to ensure their teens are happy, healthy, and thriving. However, recent research by Black Dog Institute reveals that one third of Australian teens experience high levels of psychological distress and 15 per cent show symptoms of depression. These figures highlight the importance of understanding and addressing the mental health challenges teens may face.

Depression is a complex condition that presents differently in each teen, affecting them emotionally, cognitively, behaviourally and physically. For instance, a teen might exhibit emotional symptoms like unusual sadness, anger, or a lack of interest in activities they once enjoyed. They may have cognitive symptoms and struggle with concentration or have low self-esteem. There may be a noticeable decline in their participation at school or with friends. They could also present with physical symptoms such as fatigue and changes in their eating or sleeping patterns.

While it is normal for teens to experience some of these emotions and behaviours as they navigate the challenges of growing up, persistent and disruptive changes may indicate they need additional support.

The digital dilemma

While traditional in-person therapy can be effective, some teens may be hesitant to seek help face-to-face. In today’s digital age, many teens turn to the internet and phone apps for support, but this can be overwhelming given there are more than 10,000 mental health apps available. These apps offer features such as mood tracking, journalling, and mindfulness exercises, but only 3 per cent have scientific backing, meaning many lack the necessary elements to address depression effectively.

Despite being interested in seeking help, teens can also struggle to stay engaged with digital programs because they often do not meet their needs or are difficult to use.

ClearlyMe is an app to see teens through tough times

To tackle these challenges, Black Dog Institute developed ClearlyMe®, a free, self-directed app designed specifically for teens with mild to moderate depressive symptoms. ClearlyMe is unique because it was co-designed with teens, ensuring it resonates with their needs and preferences.

The development of ClearlyMe involved three rounds of workshops with 83 young people, carers and mental health professionals. A multidisciplinary team, including mental health experts, youth copywriters and digital designers, collaborated to create an engaging and effective user-friendly app.

Black Dog Institute understands the importance of data privacy, especially for young users. ClearlyMe complies with Australian Privacy Principles, and the UNSW Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee has reviewed the data collection processes used. Parents can be confident their teen’s data is protected.

Delivering real results

In 2023, ClearlyMe was tested in a randomised controlled trial with 569 adolescents aged 12-17. The results were promising: teens who used ClearlyMe showed significant improvements in depressive symptoms, reduced psychological distress, and better health-related quality of life.

Teens who used ClearlyMe shared positive feedback:

• Prisha found the ‘5 ways to manage your emotions’ collections helpful: “Reflecting on my own emotions and what I was feeling, helped me come to terms with it myself.”
• Max appreciated the goal-setting activity: “You can set goals related to issues you have, lifestyle changes, and track your progress over time. Breaking larger goals into smaller, achievable steps can increase motivation.”

Black Dog Institute is promoting ClearlyMe to teens using a mix of physical and online methods, including ads on buses and floor decals in busy school areas around Sydney and Melbourne. To connect with teens where they spend most of their time, the Institute is also running ads on popular social media platforms, including TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram.

The Black Dog website includes sections for teens, parents, and school counsellors, providing clear information about ClearlyMe. A special area for parents and others to sign up as promotional partners has also been added, with downloadable factsheets and posters to help spread the word.

ClearlyMe represents a significant advancement in digital mental health support in Australia. Parents and carers who recommend ClearlyMe to their teens provide them with a secure, evidence-based tool designed to help them manage the challenges of adolescence and improve their mental health.

Those who are concerned about their teen’s mental health should consider exploring ClearlyMe together. It could be the first step in helping them feel better and developing healthy coping strategies for the future.