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Internet-based Mental Health Services in Norway and Sweden: Characteristics and Consequences

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Abstract

Internet-based mental health services increase rapidly. However, national surveys are incomplete and the consequences for such services are poorly discussed. This study describes characteristics of 60 Internet-based mental health services in Norway and Sweden and discusses their social consequences. More than half of the services were offered by voluntary organisations and targeted towards young people. Professionals answered service users’ questions in 60% of the services. Eight major themes were identified. These characteristics may indicate a shift in the delivery of mental health services in both countries, and imply changes in the understanding of mental health.

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Acknowledgments

The project is supported by The Nordic Research Academy in Mental Health at The Nordic School of Public Health. We wish to thank the University of Agder for funding this project. Malvern Lumsden and Karen Williams served as our consultants for questions regarding the English language, and we wish to express our gratitude for their important contribution.

Conflict of Interest

From 2005 to 2008 the first author was a member of the board of one of the services examined in this study. Although experience initially inspired the current project, it did not affect the research and is not considered e a conflict of interest. No other conflicts of interest are identified.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychosocial Health, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Box 509, 4898, Grimstad, Norway

    Anders Johan W. Andersen

  2. Nordic School of Public Health, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Tommy Svensson

  3. Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping , Sweden

    Tommy Svensson

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  1. Anders Johan W. Andersen
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Correspondence to Anders Johan W. Andersen.

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Andersen, A.J.W., Svensson, T. Internet-based Mental Health Services in Norway and Sweden: Characteristics and Consequences. Adm Policy Ment Health 40, 145–153 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-011-0388-2

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