Yshareit Virtual Youth Ambassador Information Sheet
Chief investigators: Professor Ken Kirkby and Dr Brett Daniels, Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania.
Contact with the researchers. You can contact the yshareit team via telephone on (03) 6226 4879 (International +61 3 6226 4879) or via email yshareit@utas.edu.au Email is the preferred method of communication.
What is the Virtual Youth Ambassador (YA) program? The Virtual YA program is an online interactive training program that aims to increase young peoples' awareness and use of mental health websites. The program provides education regarding high quality e-mental health websites, activities to improve communication skills, and strategies for broader sharing of the information learned during the program with the general community.
What will you be asked to do? You will be asked to participate in the online yshareit Virtual Youth Ambassador program, which will provide you with links to a number of internet mental health resources and guide you in exploring and using them for hypothetical scenarios. These hypothetical scenarios depict mental health issues that you, your friends, or your family members may have experienced or may face in the future.
Are there any risks? In participating you may become more aware of your own or other people's mental health issues, which may make you feel uncomfortable, or may prompt you to seek help or advice. Please note that the yshareit project is not a health or crisis service and does not have the capacity to provide clinical advice or assistance. If you require health or crisis services, you may like to consult your local doctor (GP) or, if in Australia, contact one of the following services:
- Lifeline: 131 114
- Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
- Lifelines Just Ask (to find out about the mental health services available in your area): 1300 131 114
If you are currently experiencing any emotional difficulties you may wish to discuss participation in the Virtual YA program with your doctor (GP) and/or talk to a mental health professional before registering to participate. You should also note that the World Wide Web is not a secure information network and, as such, it is possible that a user's transactions and usage may be viewed or monitored by third parties.
For more information, please read the yshareit disclaimer.
Can I withdraw from the Virtual YA program? Participation in the program as a registered user is entirely voluntary. You can discontinue your registration at any time without effect or explanation.
Who has approved this program? The Virtual YA program has received ethical approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee (Tasmania) Network, which is constituted under the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Who can I contact if I have questions about the program? If you have any questions about the Virtual YA program, you can contact the yshareit team on (03) 6226 4879 (International +61 3 6226 4879) or by email at yshareit@utas.edu.au or you can contact the Chief investigator Professor Ken Kirkby on (03) 6226 4885 (International +61 3 6226 4885).
Who can I contact if I have any concerns about how the program is conducted? If you have any concerns of an ethical nature, or complaints about the manner in which the Virtual YA program is conducted, you may contact the Executive Officer of the Human Research Ethics Committee (Tasmania) Network on (03) 6226 7479 (International +61 3 6226 7479) or at: Nadia.Mahjouri@utas.edu.au.
Can I get a copy of any results relating to the program? Updates on the results of the program's effectiveness can be obtained from the Chief investigator (03) 6226 4885 (International +61 3 6226 4885)..
How do I give my consent to undertake the program? Your consent to undertake the program and agreement with the terms outlined in the privacy statement and disclaimer will be demonstrated by you registering and/or using the Virtual YA program. For registered users who choose to complete the online questionnaires, completion of the questionnaires will be taken as consent.
