Depression as a Global Challenge and Online Communities as an Alternative Venue to Develop Patients-Led Supportive Netwo
Peer-led online communities have shown a strong potential to foster resourceful environments for people living with depression without restrictions of time, space, and stigma. However, due to the scarcity of research, many aspects of depression online sup
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Depression as a Global Challenge and Online Communities as an Alternative Venue to Develop Patients-Led Supportive Network Sayaka Sugimoto
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Introduction
People suffering from major depressive disorder are increasing worldwide. Today, an estimated 350 million people of all ages in the world suffer from the illness (World Health Organization 2012). It is the leading cause of disability for people of all ages and both genders around the world (World Health Organization 2012). The illness is also prevalent in Canada. Approximately, 2.5 million people are reported to have a depressive disorder (Zoutis 1999). There is a pressing need for a comprehensive, coordinated response to the disorder at country level (World Health Organization 2012). Effective treatments are available. However, people are reluctant to seek treatments in traditional healthcare settings because of the social stigma associated with mental illnesses. Patients often experience the negative responses of others as well as their own responses to depression while they seek formal treatments (Barney et al. 2006). Even if patients access formal services, they often experience the inadequate levels of services, such as limited access to high-quality primary and non-pharmacological care as well as stigmatizing attitudes of many healthcare professionals (McNair et al. 2002). Moreover, the availability of services at formal healthcare institutions is restricted to their service hours. While the severity of depression tends to increase in the morning, night, or during holidays, hospitals or clinics may not be providing consultation. Providing support through online communities may be particularly appropriate for people living with depression. Unlike traditional, face-to-face care provision systems, online resources offer additional advantages associated with their power to transcend distance, time, and psychological barriers (Johnsen et al. 2002;
S. Sugimoto (*) Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan e-mail: [email protected] © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 M.P. Zylka et al. (eds.), Designing Networks for Innovation and Improvisation, Springer Proceedings in Complexity, DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-42697-6_17
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Shaw et al. 2000; Wright 2000). The availability of online services 24 h a day and 7 days a week is a strength lacking in formal healthcare institutions. Moreover, the ease of access is also beneficial for those who have limited mobility due to the severity of the illness. The Internet can, therefore, serve as an alternative place for depression patients to seek information and support. Among many other resources available on the Internet, online support groups have shown strong potential to foster supportive and resourceful environments. An online support group is a group of individuals with similar or common interests who interact and communicate through a computer communication network; this allows social networks to build over a distance (Eysenbach et al. 2004, p. 1). In fact, depression only communities ar
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