Think Positive: a Mental Health Promotion Website for 12 to 18 Year Olds

Abstract

The Internet is a comprehensive but largely unevaluated archive of health information accessible to adolescents. The paper describes an initiative to establish a mental health promotion site acceptable to those between 12 and 18 and to evaluate its success. It was found that, while an accessible and effective resource for targeting young people, its place in clinical practice depends on whether the information provided is accurate and reliable, access secure and confidential, design acceptable to users, and development supported by health service staff and professional bodies. Guidelines are recommended.