Project Partners

Abstract

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK has seen a considerable increase in mental health problems amongst children and adolescents, such as depression and anxiety. However, due to social distancing restrictions, they are unable to receive therapy. Studies have shown that more young people have experienced negative thoughts and feelings through the pandemic, especially during lockdown [1].

To tackle the rise in mental health problems, we have created MineACT. MineACT is a chatbot system created to provide acceptance and committment therapy to children and adolescents. This is a system that will be used by the NHS. Such a system has become integral especially in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic, in which children and teenagers may not have easy access to therapy. Furthermore, it will also help young people who have general anxiety when interacting with clinicians.

This therapy will be provided to young people through the game Minecraft where they will be able to interact with the game without having to actually face a clinician. This will surely help many young people be able to receive the help that they need especially given the dire global situation.

What is ACT?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one approach to psychotherapy. The idea is to accept what is out of your control, and take actions that improve your life by learning skills that help you deal with stressful or painful thoughts [2]. This is the method of psychotherapy that NHS clinicians have decided to use to help young people through the COVID-19 pandemic.

MineACT Team

Management

References

[1]C. Leavey, A. Eastaugh and M. Kane, "Generation COVID-19", The Health Foundation, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.health.org.uk/publications/long-reads/generation-covid-19 [Accessed: 8-Feb-2021]

[2]R. Harris, "What is ACT and Mindfulness?", ACT Mindfully, 2009. [Online]. Available: https://www.actmindfully.com.au/about-act/ [Accessed: 8-Feb-2021]