IT4Anxiety

Project Name: IT4Anxiety

Project Themes: Mental Health; Digital Design

Project Sponsor: NW Europe Interreg

Duration: September 2019 – September 2023

Link: IT4Anxiety – Managing anxiety via innovative technologies for better mental health | Interreg NWE (nweurope.eu) 

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Description:

Technological innovations offer exciting new perspectives for health care. In this context, the IT4Anxiety project is a collaboration between mental health professionals, users and SMEs and start-ups, but also universities, research centres, higher education establishments and public authorities across six countries in NW Europe including NHS Western Isles in Scotland.

The project focuses on the creation and implementation of innovative solutions, using digital technology, designed to support persons experiencing anxiety particularly those supported by mental health services.  The solutions created will also be designed to aid carers and mental healthcare professionals supporting persons with anxiety.  Due to an aging population growing numbers of people in North West Europe are living with dementia. Many others across the age-span experience PTSD due to intentional and unintentional injury.

There is growing evidence that technological solutions can expand and complement conventional medical protocols. Such “blended therapies” are central to the approach being developed through several work packages and activities in the IT4Anxiety project.

By the end of the project the following results are expected:

• Co-creation and implementation of 10 innovative solutions validated by mental health professionals and public organisations that will address the needs of around 3000 patients facing anxiety disorders
• 15 start-ups supported to introduce innovative tools on the market
• 45 jobs created
• 10 innovative products tested
• 1000 mental health future professionals trained
• One eMental health referent appointed in the 3 mental health institutions involved in the project
• One “Mental health and New technologies” NWE Cluster branch created

This project is led by CNP Saint-Martin, Namur, BE (http://www.cp-st-martin.be/).

View

• IT4Anxiety Poster
• IT4Anxiety Hackathon Programme

Key Western Isles Project Activities/Stakeholders:

• Trialling of SME created solutions with stakeholders such as:
  • Eldom is a start-up SME based in Brittany, France who have developed photoluminescent signage for persons in care homes experiencing anxiety at night.
  • ELDOM's innovation is coming to Scotland ! | Interreg NWE (nweurope.eu)
  • (449) Testimonial of the Eldom solution in Scotland – YouTube
  • (449) IT4Anxiety – Introduction – YouTube – General overview video
• Conducting IMAGINE study to gather data for assessing the needs and attitudes to digital technology among mental health professionals, carers and persons experiencing anxiety
• Participating in evaluation of impacts of above solutions and informing MH professional training needs and aids.
• Engaging with key stakeholders including range of local mental wellbeing and carer support groups and national MH organisations.
• NHS Western Isles will plan and deliver a UK Hackathon event (view report here) to generate at least 3 start ups to join the IT4anxiety consortium.

Project Tools and Publications for Long Term Sustainability:

• 1 Design Thinking
• 2 Systems Thinking
• Flyer eLearning
• Clinical Testing Framework
• Guide to creating a eMental Health Startup
• Poster: Imagine – 041022
  

NHSWI Contact:

Martin Malcolm
Head of PH Intelligence & Info Services
NHS Western Isles
37 South Beach
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2BB
Scotland
Email: martin.malcolm2@nhs.scot

Project Website: www.nweurope.eu/projects/project-search/it4anxiety-managing-anxiety-via-innovative-technologies-for-better-mental-health/

Project Partners:

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