Mental health issues in young people target for new app

Newfoundland and Labrador's largest health authority rolled out its first health-related app for smartphones and tablets, aimed at getting young people better access to mental health information.

The app launched by Eastern Health is called Bridge the gAPP, and is hoping to provide teenagers with issues like stress, relationships, drug use and suicide.

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Patrick Hickey, one of the students who tested the app, says the quality and quantity of information is what he found most impressive.

"It's a great application and I think young people use technology so much these days, I think it will get a lot of use and I think that use will translate into positive reinforcement for the people who do use the app," said Hickey.

Hickey added the app may help reduce some of the stigma surrounding mental health issues, but people will also be able to use it in a private setting.

"You can use it on your own time, it doesn't have to be in a public place. You can do it at home in your bedroom with the door locked. But I think the app does educate young people, which I think is going to be a huge step in breaking down the stigma," he said.

"And I don't think many young people at all will be embarrassed about using the app — I think it will be a common, shared activity amongst young people."

He added that while the province continues to work toward reducing mental health wait times, the app can help people access the information in the interim.

'I think it will resonate'

Health Minister Steve Kent says while the app was launched by Eastern Health, young people from across the province will be able to access it.

"In terms of this app that has been developed by Eastern Health, it can be used by any young person anywhere, but particularly any young person in our province," said Kent.

"The information, the content, is relevant whether you live in Nain or whether you live in St. John's, so I hope that young people throughout the province will benefit from it."

Kent said health services wants to be able to reach young people where they are, in a way that's familiar to them, and that's what he hopes the app will do.

"If we really want to connect with young people, then we have to connect to them in forms that make sense in a way that's relevant and modern, and that's the beauty of the approach like this," he said.

"I think it will resonate. I really hope that it will get some traction and we'll get young people not only in the eastern region, but around the province taking advantage of this."

He added that while the all-party committee will continue work on mental health issues — including tackling issues like wait times — there's a "loud and clear" message that people want to see resources used differently.