Online peer support for children with a family member experiencing mental health challenges: perspectives from children and young people during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjective This study aimed to investigate the benefits and difficulties with providing online peer support services for children with a family member experiencing mental health challenges.Method Using a qualitative descriptive design, the perspectives were gathered of Australian children and young people with a family member experiencing mental health challenges and had participated in online peer support activities during the COVID-19 restrictions of 2020 and 2021. Five age-differentiated focus groups were held with participants aged between 8 and 24 years (N = 32), and interviews were held with youth peer leaders (N = 3) and program facilitators (N = 6).Results This paper presents seven themes generated from the qualitative data. The themes captured the benefits of an online setting such as enabling greater accessibility, participation and comfort. Juxtaposed with this, themes also captured challenges such as the unease and risks of participating online, as well as the perspective that in-person activities facilitated stronger and quicker connections.Discussion It was concluded that a blended model of online and in-person support services is likely to be valuable for children with a family member experiencing mental health challenges to ensure accessibility and provide the capacity to meet the varied needs of this cohort.KEYWORDS: Peer supportonlinechildrenparentsmental health AcknowledgmentsWe would like to acknowledge the children and young people who shared their experiences with us through an interview or a focus group. We would also like to acknowledge the Satellite Foundation for their participation in this research and their support for the overall evaluation. Lastly, we would like to acknowledge the support for this evaluation by Emerging Minds staff. A copy of the overarching evaluation can be obtained from the Emerging Minds website (www.emergingminds.com.au) or by contacting the corresponding author.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by the Australian Government Department of Health.