MOST – Moderated Online Social Therapy – has been fast-tracked as part of the Victorian Government’s response to the mental health impacts of COVID-19 and the bushfire response in the region. It is now available through the Latrobe Regional Hospital’s specialist youth mental health service.
Designed by Orygen, Australia’s centre of excellence in youth mental health, and developed in partnership with young people and their families, MOST draws on 10 years of research, clinical expertise and digital innovation to deliver a world-first blend of digital therapy and face-to-face mental health care.
Director of Orygen Digital, Professor Mario Alvarez-Jimenez, joined Mr Dimopoulos at Latrobe Valley Community Mental Health Services today to welcome the service to MOST.
“By offering MOST, Latrobe Regional Hospital has joined a world-first digital mental health network, making sure 15 to 25-year-olds in Gippsland can access extra support, whether they’re waiting for their face-to-face appointment, already seeing a therapist here, or they’ve just finished regular therapy but still want a helping hand,” Professor Alvarez-Jimenez said.
“The MOST platform gives young people 24/7 access to tailored online therapy and programs guided by clinicians, vocational specialists and trained peers with lived experience of mental ill-health, along with access to a safe, moderated and contained online social community for young people.
“All of this support is available to young people from their mobile phone, tablet or computer – when and where they need it. This promises to be crucial for young people across Gippsland who may have limited access to face-to-face services due to their location,” Professor Alvarez-Jimenez said.
Orygen MOST Youth Ambassador Anh Nguyen said the platform made her feel more like she could interact with people that understood what she was going through.
“When I'm on MOST, I feel like I'm expressing myself a lot better,” she said.
The implementation of MOST is supported by $6 million from the Victorian Government to expedite its introduction, with a further $1 million provided by the Telstra Foundation to enhance the service.
MOST is currently available in 18 headspace centres and five state-funded specialist services – run by Monash Health, Orygen/Melbourne Health, Alfred Health, Albury-Wodonga Health and Latrobe Regional Hospital.
All Victorian youth mental health services will be offered access to MOST by July 2021. Orygen is proud to be working in close partnership with headspace on delivering MOST in Victoria.