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Internet information-seeking in mental health

Population survey

Health Sciences Research Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry

Aileen Clarke, BA, BM BCh, MD, MSc, MRCGP, FFPHM

Public Health & Policy Research Unit, Institute of Community Health Sciences, Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London, UK

Correspondence: Dr John Powell, Health Sciences Research Institute, Medical School Building, Gibbet Hill Campus, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK. Email: john.powell{at}warwick.ac.uk

Declaration of interest None.

Funding detailed in Acknowledgement.

Background A major use of the of the internet is for health information-seeking. There has been little research into its use in relation to mental health.

Aims To investigate the prevalence of internet use for mental health information-seeking and its relative importance as a mental health information source.

Method General population survey. Questions covered internet use, past psychiatric history and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire.

Results Eighteen per cent of all internet users had used the internet for information related to mental health. The prevalence was higher among those with a past history of mental health problems and those with current psychological distress. Only 12% of respondents selected the internet as one of the three most accurate sources of information, compared with 24% who responded that it was one of the three sources they would use.

Conclusions The internet has a significant role in mental health information-seeking. The internet is used more than it is trusted.

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