A NEW digital tool is helping young people with mental health difficulties change their negative thought patterns.
The Buddy app lets young people create a daily diary of their activities, thoughts and feelings which can be tracked to help them identify and reinforce positive behaviour and thoughts.
The app is being used by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), run by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, in Trafford, Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale and Bury.
In the year-long pilot, more than 800 young people will be given a Buddy account, which they can also use to track their appointments and therapy goals.
Participants send texts to the system to update their diary but can also log on to the platform via computer to view their entries, set themselves goals and help plan their sessions with their therapist.
Sara Barnes, CAMHS Directorate Manager for Pennine Care, said feedback from service users had been overwhelmingly positive.
She said: “We know it can be difficult at times for young people to focus on their therapy goals and positive thoughts between appointments.
“By giving them a tool they can use on their mobile phone, we can enable them to track their thoughts and feelings in real time which will help them realise their goals and improve their mental health and quality of life.”
Find out more about the Buddy app on their website.
Pennine Care also has a dedicated website packed full of useful information for young people about common mental health conditions and CAMHS services. Visit www.WithUinMind.nhs.uk for further information.
You must be logged in to post a comment.