Abstract:
© 2018 ACM. Poor self-recognition of mental ill-health, as well as structural and attitudinal barriers often prevent youth from obtaining healthcare. In particular, minority groups cite stigma and loss of pride as reasons for not seeking treatment. The rising ubiquity of smartphones, even amongst lower socio-economic populations, can help ameliorate this problem by making healthcare more accessible and numerous groups have developed standalone e-therapy applications, although unsurprisingly, the effectiveness of such treatments depends on repeated use. Our work addresses this problem by creating youth-centered, mobile health applications that aim to empower help-avoidant adolescents to seek and continue treatment. Relationship-dependent forms of therapy such as motivational interviewing (MI) have previously proved challenging to effectively deliver electronically. However, through an iterative, co-design process with adolescents and clinicians, we have created a novel web-based application of the Values Card Sort which is a useful MI tool that can help resolve ambivalence and enhance motivation to change. As part of a larger suite of mobile therapy activities, the Values Card Sort serves to promote self-awareness and further encourage youth to pursue treatment.