Cyber Self-Help: Does it Work? A Review of the Current Status for Depression and Related Problems

摘要

This paper aims to explore the role of internet self-help as a mechanism that leads to pathways to care for individuals with depression and related problems who would otherwise not seek help at all, or feel better at least initially, exploring the avenue of self-help prior to primary treatment. Its aim is to develop an understanding of what is known to date in terms of the effectiveness of self-help for depression. Internet users look for more information on depression than they do for cancer or heart disease. Limitations of the current research are explored and a proposal put forward towards answering the research question of whether Internet Self-Help works for depression and related disorders. Taking the collective limitations and levels of evidence into account, these studies indicate promising potential for Internet Self-Help sites for mild to moderate depression. As depression is of high prevalence, coupled with the fact people do not seek help, specialist self-help internet interventions provide a possible solution to this growing global problem. Proposed enhancements to build on current research are suggested.