About The Journal - self-help programme
What is the personalised online programme?
The online self-help programme has been designed to teach you skills that can help get through mild to moderate depression more effectively. By working through the programme, called the Journal, you will be taught the principles and application of some of the most effective self-help techniques. In the course of six lessons you’ll learn how your thinking can change if you are depressed, ways your physical health can impact on mental health and, finally, a simple method to help resolve the problems you face in everyday life. The programme includes a number of practical activities and tools to help you make some changes to improve your mental health.JK fronts the programme and will introduce you to three of the country’s leading mental health professionals, so you can get a detailed understanding of how each change affects depression. He will also help you get through the programme with reminders and progress checks along the way.
How long will the programme take?
There’s no time limit on completing the programme, however we recommend taking the lessons at weekly intervals. Ideally the programme will take you six to eight weeks, which will give the greatest benefit by allowing time for the lessons to be incorporated into your everyday life. However, you might complete it more quickly or slowly than that, because you set the pace.How do I join the programme?
Joining the programme starts on the homepage, on many of the pages in the self-help section or from this link. JK will introduce the programme and explain how it works. The process of joining begins with a quick test to help you understand if you should get help while you do the programme, then you can sign up and begin.What equipment do I need to use the Journal?
To do the programme you’ll need a computer with Adobe Flash v9.0124 installed and ideally an internet connection capable of playing online videos. The programme includes a lot of great video content so sound is a bonus (subtitles are available as well).If you can’t get to a computer with these features the information contained in the journal is available on the self-help section pages on the depression site
Will the programme diagnose my depression?
No, the purpose of the self-tests in the Journal is to give you advice on what other measures you should take whilst you do the programme. The self-test is based on clinical tools, but only a doctor or mental health professional can give you an actual diagnosis of depression.Can I do it if I don’t have depression?
Anyone can do this programme and benefit from it, but it has been designed mainly for people experiencing mild to moderate depression. It is also likely to be helpful for those who have more severe depression. If you are experiencing more severe depression and are not receiving support from a mental health professional contact the Depression Helpline for more information.If you are looking for a way to help a friend please suggest they take the programme themselves. You can help them get through it by talking to them about what they are learning, and getting involved in the activities they are asked to do. These are all fairly straightforward but can but your assistance could be very welcome. For other ideas check the helping others section of this site.
Is there an age restraint on the programme?
The programme teaches skills more suited to adults and for legal and privacy reasons you must be 16 years or over to participate. Our sister site, The Lowdown, is a great place to find support specifically designed for young Kiwis.Getting help with the programme
The Journal Helpline team is a dedicated resource available to give you personal help during the programme. They can be reached via freephone, email, TXT and through the Journal itself to provide you with support and help you with any issues you have with the programme. You can also opt to share your journal, which lets the Journal Helpline team view the information you’ve entered in your journal. To do this tick the share your journal box on the get support tab. The team can also follow up on the support they provide and you can arrange a time for them to get in touch with you. Details of your privacy when contacting the Journal Helpline and sharing your journal are outlined below.Our privacy policy
The website will collect a small amount of contact information, in order to send you reminders and create your personal journal. It will also record the tasks and issues you enter into your journal during the programme. This information is held on secure systems.The Journal Helpline team is available to help you throughout the programme and you can share your journal to give them permission to view your details during support calls, but this is entirely at your discretion. If you choose to share your journal as above, then you are allowing the Journal Helpline team to view the contents of your Journal for the duration of the programme. You are also allowing the Journal Helpline team to contact you on the email address and mobile phone number you used for registering with The Journal if they believe you or another person is at risk.
Terms of contacting the Journal Helpline team and ‘share your journal’
Collection and release of information
All health information collected via freephone conversations, text, email and online messages or entries into The Journal is used for support purposes. This information is only available to authorised staff at the Journal Helpline. All authorised staff are bound by the Privacy Policy. Health information will only be disclosed in accordance with the provisions of the Health Information Privacy Code 1994. For more information on the code go to the Privacy Commission website at www.privacy.org.nzThe Journal Helpline team does keep and use some information for statistical and reporting purposes to help us provide ongoing and improved services for users. This information is totally anonymous.
Phone numbers and email addresses gathered by the Journal Helpline team will not be used for any unrelated promotional reasons. The Depression Helpline team will make sure that any collected personal information is protected from modification, misuse, disclosure, loss and unauthorised access.
