- Professor Mario Alvarez-Jimenez is Chief of Orygen Digital
Orygen Digital is reimagining mental health support for young Australians, driven by our belief that all young people and families have the right to effective mental health care.
High demand for mental health services, and the lack of services in some locations, makes it challenging to secure appointments when needed. With 1.3 million young people struggling with their mental health, too many are unable to connect with appropriate supports.
This access gap drives us to innovate, with technology a crucial part of the solution. Through collaboration with young people, we aim to create tools that meet their needs, offer immediate support, and make a difference in their mental health journey.
Finding the balance in effective mental health support
The Australian Youth Digital Index reflects young people’s nuanced/selective approach to digital mental health tools. While many turn to the internet for validation or to explore worries without fear of judgment, they often want personalised support when it comes to complex or highly personal issues such as mental health, and this has traditionally meant face-to-face sessions with a professional.
The AYDI findings show that in-person support is the first port of call for young people seeking mental health advice (51%), but many are open to online solutions with 44% choosing this as their first source of information. Anonymity online can be empowering, supporting young people to find information. But guidance on the internet can feel impersonal and generic. It’s not often tailored to individual circumstances – it can be confusing, frustrating and even counterproductive. This motivates us to find ways to improving online resources and “keep the humans in the loop” in a blended support model.
Input from young people has been instrumental in shaping Mello, a digital tool we created with the support of the Telstra Foundation. We understand the balance young people seek between the convenience of digital solutions and the relevance and effectiveness of in-person support. Mello bridges this gap, offering a validated, interactive approach to managing difficult thoughts and emotions. And for those new to digital wellbeing tools, Mello serves as an accessible entry point, demystifying mental health support and introducing young people to techniques that can have a lasting positive impact.
The app was co-designed with young Australians to address a common symptom of anxiety and depression: stuck thinking. Negative thoughts can be overwhelming, leading to a sense of isolation and despair. Mello’s design goes beyond just alleviating symptoms; it helps users reframe their thoughts in constructive ways. The impact? Eight out of ten young people who participated in clinical trials reported feeling better after using Mello for just six weeks.
Accessible, evidence-based...and immediate
The core of Mello’s impact lies in accessibility, usability, and evidence-based care. Unlike traditional healthcare with scheduled appointments, Mello is available anytime on a smartphone, allowing young people to access it at home, school, or on the go. The app is also free, removing financial barriers to essential mental health support.
Empowering young people with credible, accessible mental health resources is crucial. By co-designing Mello with its intended users, we’ve ensured that it’s not only clinically effective but also truly relevant. Young people have influenced every step, helping us to create an app that feels familiar, comfortable, and trustworthy.
Mello joins MOST, a digital solution that integrates with existing youth mental health services, offering personalised therapy, real human support from clinicians, peers and vocational specialists, plus a safe social network to connect and learn with others facing similar challenges. And we’re constantly researching and developing new ways to enhance mental health supports for young people.
Thriving in a connected world
Digital technology offers young people immense opportunities to connect, learn, and express themselves. Not all online experiences are positive, yet technology also holds incredible potential as a solution. When digital tools are backed by evidence and developed collaboratively with young people, they can become powerful lifelines—providing credible, immediate support and a sense of community.
Orygen Digital is committed to harnessing this potential, creating resources that not only meet young people where they are but empower them on their journey toward improved mental wellbeing.
Telstra Foundation has partnered with Orygen Digital for over a decade and continues to support the talented team to develop innovative, digital solutions that support young people back to good mental health.
