IBM announced in April 2017 it will provide the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) its expertise in the field of social media and big data to develop a strategy for using social media to engage at-risk youth suffering from mental health issues.
Through this alternative method, they aim to approach individuals with worrisome symptoms or providing information to those looking for help or have questions on this health area.
Improving MMHA campaigns on social media
29.2% of Malaysians aged 16-years-old and above are suffering from mental health problems
The results of the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2015 recently published by the Ministry of Health of Malaysia showed that 29.2% of Malaysians aged 16-years-old and above are suffering from mental health problems. The highest prevalence was recorded among 16 to 19 years old by the authors of the study.
IBM will apply its social media know-how to enhance public awareness on mental health
The strategies put in place by IBM and the MMHA will aim to enhance public awareness on mental health and its related issues.
IBM will use design thinking to deploy new approaches to improve the effectiveness of social media campaigns on mental health issues of the organization and to develop efficient strategies on these virtual spaces.
Secondly, the company will use expertise within its social media practice to create a roadmap to improve the engagement of the MMHA on social media. It will be implemented jointly in this first year of partnership by the organization and IBM employees volunteers.
A social media analytical system to de-stigmatize mental health
« The aim of the social media approach is to enable MMHA to disarm mental health stigmas, raise awareness on correct health information from reputable sources and aggregate conversations and connections, especially between young people, with others who are experiencing similar challenges, » said Mr. See Cheng Siang, MMHA president.
IBM analytical system revealed the potential of social media in de-stigmatizing mental health and consequently, encourage those with question or symptoms to reach out for help.
The findings spurred MMHA to strengthen its social media platform as a means to engage and share critical information on this particular health area with people who may not be inclined or may not think to openly seek help.
IBM’s Impact Grant program: a pro bono initiative to support non-profit organizations
The project is part of IBM’s Impact Grant program, a pro bono initiative that provides consulting expertise and also cognitive, mobile and social technologies to support non-profit organizations in serving society more effectively.
It is funded by a grant obtained by the MMHA in 2016 to use IBM Social Media Analytics, a powerful monitoring tool that captures and consolidates insights from social media to analyze the opinions, interactions and conversation patterns expressed on Facebook, Twitter, online communities, forums and blogs to survey public perception surrounding mental health issues.
« With this grant, we would have committed the equivalent of US$33,000 (€30,305) in technology and expertise as part of our commitment to make an impact in the proactive management of this health issue, » said Ms. Chong Chye Neo, IBM Malaysia managing director.