A world-first laboratory in Melbourne is on the brink of delivering a new treatment option for mental health.
Trials of the use of virtual reality technology suggest it can be used to address conditions from psychosis to anxiety, eating disorders and phobias.
The treatment is being designed at Orygen’s world-first lab in Parkville for people aged between 12 and 25.
We know that 75 per cent of mental disorders come about occur in that age group,” psychologist Dr Imogen Bell said.
The two programs are called Mind and Visor.
The first is similar to the film Inside Out where young people are encouraged to visualise their feelings, while the second program involves simulated real-life environments.
Co-designer Julia Coscolluela said society needs to move away from traditional approaches.
“It’s important to me to be involved in this sort of thing because I have lived experience of mental ill health myself,” Coscolluela said.
“Taking young people through a process in a more visual way that isn’t just talking in front of a counsellor.”
Youth advisor Kathan Winchester has also drawn on his own mental health challenges to advise clinicians on the project.
“I think VR is definitely the way to go because it taps into that technology generation,” Winchester said.
One-in-five people will suffer depression before the age of 18.
In Victoria alone there has been a 50 per cent rise in the past decade, with a 60 per cent increase in suicide in just 12 months.
“The magnitude of the crisis is really significant and we really need innovative, better ways in addressing the gaps in care for young people,” Dr Bell said.
With clinical trials taking place across the country it is hoped within the next two years the VR technology will be a standard form of treatment for young people getting them back on track into adulthood.
“It’s the new hope the new era of mental health,” Winchester said.
