Mental health disparities are a major issue for young people today. Many young people face mental health challenges that are not being adequately addressed by existing mental health services. That’s where social innovation comes in.
Social innovation is a powerful tool for addressing mental health disparities in young people. By developing and implementing innovative solutions, we can help to reduce stigma, promote positive mental health behaviors, and improve the overall well-being of young people.
One example of a social innovation addressing mental health disparities in young people is the Helping Hand learning simulation developed by Attensi and Dr. Raknes. This simulation provides young people with a safe and engaging space to learn about mental health, helping to reduce the stigma around mental health and promote positive mental health behaviors.
Another innovative solution is the Positive Konnections (PK) mobile application developed by Renewal International Trust. This application provides a mental health intervention for young people with HIV, using creative narrative therapy techniques delivered on an accessible, youth-friendly platform. By addressing the specific mental health needs of young people with HIV, Positive Konnections is helping to reduce mental health disparities and improve the overall well-being of this vulnerable population.
Social innovation can also address mental health disparities by providing young people with access to mental health support that is culturally relevant and tailored to their needs. Onkout, for example, connects a culturally relevant and unique trauma-informed, collective mental health peer support program to a virtual business training program, and the financial tools to improve young people’s lives. By providing young people in conflict-affected countries with access to services that are currently not available, Onkout is helping to reduce mental health disparities and improve the overall well-being of this population.
Social innovation can also address mental health disparities by providing young people with access to mental health support that is delivered in a way that is engaging and accessible. OPTT, together with Curatio, offer an online psychotherapy tool that provides a technology-embedded, peer-to-peer social network for improved health outcomes. By allowing mental wellness content producers, mental health teams, local health providers, and communities to work together to offer solutions proactively to their community members, OPTT and Curatio are helping to reduce mental health disparities and improve the overall well-being of young people.
Overall, social innovation has a critical role to play in addressing mental health disparities in young people. By providing innovative solutions that are culturally relevant, engaging, and accessible, social innovation can help to reduce stigma, promote positive mental health behaviors, and improve the overall well-being of young people. As we continue to see the impact of mental health disparities on young people, it is essential that we continue to invest in and support social innovation as a key approach to addressing these challenges. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of young people and help them to thrive.
Sources:
- The World Economic Forum. (2022). These 14 innovations are tackling youth mental health challenges. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/07/these-14-innovations-are-tackling-youth-mental-health-challenges/
- Thompson, K. N., Odgers, C. L., Bryan, B. T., Danese, A., Milne, B. J., Strange, L., … & Arseneault, L. (2022). Trajectories of childhood social isolation in a nationally representative cohort: Associations with antecedents and early adulthood outcomes. JCPP Advances, 2(2), e12073.
- NHS Confederation. (2021). Maximising the potential of digital in mental health. Retrieved from https://www.nhsconfed.org/publications/maximising-potential-digital-mental-health
- (2021). How can you ensure youth perspectives are included in social innovation strategies? Retrieved from https://www.linkedin.com/advice/1/how-can-you-ensure-youth-perspectives-included-social-b4atc
- Imperial College London. (2013). INNOVATIONS IN MENTAL HEALTH. Retrieved from https://www.imperial.ac.uk/media/imperial-college/institute-of-global-health-innovation/public/WISH_Mental_Health_Report.pdf
Author: Pece Krstevski
