Melbourne, Australia, July 20, 2020: It is estimated half the Australian population will experience a mental health disorder during their lifetime and one in five of the population had experienced a common mental disorder in the previous 12 months, according to a study conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Additionally, the COVID 19 pandemic is adding to the usual stresses facing Australians caused by self-isolation, fears for health and family and economic hardship. To assist with the public mental health response, scientists at Pulse Infoframe have developed an assessment tool to help individuals manage their mental health and to monitor the short-term and long-term impacts of the pandemic on the mental health of individuals and communities.
Anyone can access the Stress Monitor at www.pulseinfoframe.com/covid19. The free resource asks a few questions about how an individual is feeling and dealing with COVID-19 and on completion it delivers a stress assessment and links to supports and services. Anyone significantly impacted will be invited to complete the healthie™ VOX Mental Health Assessment which includes validated questionnaires assessing well-being and risk of anxiety and depression. Results are presented in a dashboard view, providing individuals with insights into how they are doing as well as trend overtime.
“Consumers have direct online access to mental health assessments that are generally only available during a healthcare consultation or when undertaking a digital mental health program,” says Dr. Peter MacIsaac, a GP and member of the Pulse development team. “Pulse Infoframe is keen to receive feedback from users or organisations interested in using or promoting the Stress Monitor assessment.”
“We want to provide a platform for people everywhere to voice their feelings and experiences and help them access additional mental health resources,” says Dr. Femida Gwadry-Sridhar, founder and CEO of Pulse Infoframe. “Additionally, what we learn through this will help inform national responses to the physical and emotional effects of COVID-19.” Insights from the community response to COVID19 are already emerging from users of the Stress Monitor: www.pulseinfoframe.com/covid19/dashboard/.
International Contact:
Nina Liu
nliu@pulseinfoframe.com
+1-888-787-8573
Australian Contact:
Dr. Peter Maclsaac
peter.macisaac@pulseinfoframe.com
+61 411403462
About Pulse Infoframe:
Pulse Infoframe (www.pulseinfoframe.com) is a real-world evidence health informatics and insights company that has created a technology and services platform designed to extract, curate, analyse and disseminate evidence-based conclusions that improve the quality of people’s lives. Pulse Infoframe is active in Australia with a flexible platform for supporting disease registries, research and ensuring the patient perspective is included in clinical assessments and care.
