Mental health literacy websites for children of parents with a mental illness

Abstract

Objective: This review of online mental health resources was conducted to evaluate and document the availability of mental health resources pertinent to the needs of children of parents with a mental illness (COPMI). This review identified available websites and analyzed the appropriateness of content and readability.

Methods: We conducted an extensive 6-month review of websites with available mental health literacy content that may be found by COPMI searching for information. Web content was evaluated and described with qualitative thematic analysis techniques. Web content was also evaluated for reading levels using the Flesch-Kincaid readability analysis tool.

Results: The researchers described 7 descriptive themes, 10 content areas, and described what information was available across websites and where gaps existed. They also concluded the average reading level of the websites was 9.7, which was substantially higher than current web development recommendations.

Conclusions: Websites can be a valuable tool for COPMI without access to direct services. To improve current web resources, developers should strive to offer content specific to the identified needs of COPMI. Additionally, web content should be developed at a level that is accessible to teens and parents.

Keywords: Mental health literacy; coping skills; help-seeking; parental mental illness; prevention; risk and resilience; stigma.