Uniting Wimmera and Federation University have partnered up to create the digital health program MonitorMe.

The program aims to provide alternative mental health support for Uniting Wimmera’s clients.

It uses information participants provide about themselves to give timely information and offer guidance when they experience signs of increasing stress, anxiety or low mood.

Uniting Wimmera clients aged over 18 are encouraged to sign up for a trial to test the use of MonitorMe. 

Acting executive officer Josh Koenig said the program had been in the making for a number of years.

“It was an opportunity we saw to really get involved in introducing another valuable program for our community and improve our services,” he said.

“If successful, the program could provide an important stop gap for people who don’t require specialist medical support, but need some help to manage their mental health. Hopefully, in the future, anyone will be able to use it.

“It will be trialled with us for quite a while but it won’t be exclusive and will be advertised across the region. I’m hoping it will spark the interest of people who don’t just use our services.”

MonitorMe involves taking a daily survey to record daily mood levels alongside habits and activities.

When a participant’s responses show issues anxiety or other mental health symptoms, the program will encourage them to reach out to their Uniting Wimmera case worker or GP.

Mr Koenig said he hoped participants would heed to advice provided by the program and reach out.

“Ideally I hope that before the message is even received that they would be talking through things with their GP or case worker. If it does get to that stage where the message appears, I’d encourage people to follow that direction,” he said.

“One of the major challenges we face in supporting our community is access to funding for traditional, early intervention mental health services.

“With the roll-out of the NDIS, many Wimmera people are either not getting approved for a plan or don’t have the required funding to pay for the services they need.”

Federation University Professor Britt Klein worked with Uniting Wimmera to develop the program during the past two years.

She said digital health interventions had increased in both availability and popularity in recent years.

“Digital health is an important instrument in the toolkit of health care professionals and is particularly important in improving accessibility to timely health information and self-monitoring tool for people living in rural areas,” she said.

“This trial goes further than our previous research, in that it is investigating whether people who are already receiving support from a community service worker or organisation will benefit from participating in MonitorMe alongside that support.

“MonitorMe empowers people with the information and tools they need to better manage their mental health.”

MonitorMe involves taking a daily survey to record daily mood levels alongside habits and activities.

People can connect to their fitbit device to record sleep, steps and heart rate.

When a participant’s responses show issues anxiety or other mental health symptoms, the program will encourage them to reach out to their Uniting Wimmera case worker or GP.

A range of online modules are also available to use in the form of audio, video and quiz formats. Module subjects include mindfulness, positive self statements, controlling anger, problem solving, compassion mediation and brain training.

All information accumulated in the trial is strictly confidential.

More information about MonitorMe and the trial is available by visiting Uniting Wimmera’s website or calling 1800 195 114.

Participants must be over 18 years of age and must sign up before February 28 to be part of the trial.