Uptake of mental health websites in primary care: Insights from an Australian longitudinal cohort study of depression.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of primary care attendees with depressive symptoms who use mental health websites.

METHODS: 789 individuals with depressive symptoms recruited and followed up annually for nine years. Self-reported written surveys included mental health, professional and self-help use, e-mental health interventions or therapeutic websites. Marginal logistic regression examined association between mental health website (MHW) use and patient's mental health, health services use, anti-depressant use and self-help strategies.

RESULTS: 36% of participants used an MHW at least once. MHW users were more likely to be female, younger, highly educated and employed. MHW use increased with depressive symptom severity; reported in 16% of assessments when minimal symptoms were present and 28% when severe symptoms were present. MHW use was associated with: GP mental health visits, psychologist and psychiatrist visits and other self-help strategies including self-help books and telephone helplines.

CONCLUSION(S): Mental health websites were more likely to be used by those with severe depressive symptoms rather than those with mild depression as recommended in current guidelines.

PRACTICE IMPLICATION(S): Whilst mental health websites offer potential to support the high volume of people with mild depression new strategies may be required to ensure uptake.