This is the original urgent call for support (6th April 2020):

BASELINE STUDY: EARLY DATA INSIGHTS

An international group of people are documenting the scale and nature of the mental health impact of COVID-19 based on data insights obtained from digital health service providers, especially mental health, but also other related services (e.g., financial  services providers).

The Purpose:

  • This paper will provide initial insights from early data sources into what we are about to see in terms of mental health needs due to the impact of COVID-19.

  • Such insights may allow us to potentially create hypotheses around what will be the necessary responses for mental health needs for COVID-19.

  • We are seeking insights that relate to signals and patterns of change, change in dialogues, the content of conversations. We are also keen to see how mental health patterns change in relation to critical events during COVID-19, such as school closures and policy announcements/implementations (e.g., lockdowns).

  • Please note that we do NOT want to access your actual data and we do NOT want to access any potentially identifiable information.

WE NEEd DIVERSE INSIGHTS from as MANY DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIES & DEMOGRAPHICS as possible, ESPECIALLY for UNDERSERVED COMMUNITITES. please help us connect.

Data representativeness is a serious issue.

More details: we aim to quickly gather early/initial data insights for publication to inform hypotheses and policy decision making. We are particularly interested in gathering data insights, such as recent changes in overall volume, spikes in suicidal posts, disclosures of domestic violence, drug withdrawal, financial harms, and any other constructs that these platforms might classify - as diverse and representative as possible. Would you be interested in sharing any data or insights that we could include in the paper?  Or if you have other ways you would like to contribute, such as help us network or would like to write, just let us know! Please complete the form or email Becky Inkster (becky@beckyinkster.com) who is co-ordinating these efforts.