Minds Together is a suite of online programs that support family and friends who care for someone experiencing mental health concerns or suicidal distress. The programs are free, self-paced and feature interactive activities, multimedia content, peer support and personal video stories featuring those with lived and living experience of providing support. Program development has consisted of national consultations, literature reviews and engagement of steering committees, expert advisory groups and lived experience reference groups. Research trials were conducted to test acceptability, feasibility and safety, yet small sample sizes have hindered the statistical power needed to study efficacy and effectiveness.
An extensive national promotion plan was implemented, including key stakeholder identification and engagement, paid social media and podcast advertising, radio interviews, magazine articles, and conference presentations across Australia. From January to June 2023 alone, Minds Together reached over 600,000 community members through promotional activities. In the same period, the two active studies randomised 85 and 47 participants, respectively. Despite a rigorous design and development process, converting promotional reach into research participation is challenging.
This presentation will explore the challenges faced in engaging a diverse community sample in research activities. Minds Together researchers are investigating whether eligibility criteria, surveys and randomisation controls are barriers to participant engagement. This presentation will explore our strategies, challenges, and ongoing investigations that aim to improve the conversion of reach into research participation.