An Evaluation of Mental Health Wiki: A Consumer Guide to Mental Health Information on the Internet

Abstract

The aim of this project was to establish and evaluate a wiki (<www.mentalhealthwiki.org>), which contained information on mental health topics, with contributors restricted to those with some qualification to write on such topics. The site was established in October 2009 with seed content from consumer guides to depression and anxiety disorders. Between October 2009 and May 2012, there were almost 60,000 site visitors and 130 registrants. However, there were no contributions to content other than those of the research team. The dominance of Wikipedia, a wiki to which anyone can contribute, regardless of appropriate professional qualifications, and the relative lack of interest in contributing to Mental Health Wiki, suggests that the open approach is more successful.

KEYWORDS:

• Information
• internet
• mental health
• wiki

Acknowledgments

The study was funded through a National Health and Medical Research Council Australia Fellowship awarded to Professor Jorm (566652).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nicola J. Reavley

Nicola J. Reavley, PhD ([email protected]) is Research Fellow, Population Mental Health Group, Melbourne School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie Street, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.

Amy J. Morgan

Amy J. Morgan, PhD ([email protected]) is Research Fellow, Population Mental Health Group, Melbourne School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie Street, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.

David Jorm

David Jorm ([email protected]) is Director, Sura Systems, 15/120 Newman St., Kensington, VIC 3031, Melbourne, Australia.

Anthony F. Jorm

Anthony F. Jorm, PhD, DSc ([email protected]) is Professorial Fellow, Population Mental Health Group, Melbourne School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie Street, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.