HABITs

Our researchers are leading a key part of the National Science Challenge project, “A Better Start” with an ambitious digital mental health project incorporating an online platform for screening for mental health problems in young people, delivering effective treatments and monitoring outcomes.

HABITs is a safe and secure digital space that students can access on mobile phones or digital devices. HABITs hosts a range of digital tools for wellbeing, monitor their usage, track changes and provide data for future upgrades. Currently, the platform hosts digital tools for young people that target emotional wellbeing, including Quest – Te Whitianga, Headstrong, 21-day Stress Detox, Aroha, Tune In and SPARX.  HABITs also includes the ability to screen and identify users who could benefit from digital wellbeing tools and contains a digital testing centre to run online clinical trials. The project has a particular focus on engaging Māori and Pacific youth and their communities to ensure that our interventions are acceptable and helpful.

Principal investigators: Tania Cargo, Sarah Hetrick, Sally Merry

Co-investigators:  Grant Christie, Sarah Hopkins, Karolina Stasiak, Jim Warren 

HABITs begin in 2016 with a series of extensive stakeholder consultation with young people and their communities. Initial work (Tranche 1; 2016-2019) included co-design and evaluation of the IT architecture and web platforms as well as four new digital tools. The existing phase of work (Tranche 2; 2019-2022) is about understanding and refining implementation of the entire ecosystem within schools and communities.

This work is funded by A Better Start – E Tipu e Rea National Science Challenge, one of the 11 National Science Challenges that are ultimately funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

The HABITs ecosystem has been developed to help students learn proven techniques to improve mental wellbeing and resilience with digital technologies. The student web portal allows rangatahi (young people) 24/7 access to digital tools and advice on where to find wellbeing support in their school and community.

In the future, our vision for HABITs is a flexible, customisable platform that schools and community organisations can adapt for their character, size, structure and specific needs. This can include additional user roles that can be tailored for use, including pastoral care (counsellors, nurses), parents and other support people. We want HABITs to become part of our increasingly digital culture – a space where young people can take charge of their wellbeing and learn to flourish.