CAMHS staff at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) and St Andrew’s Healthcare (STAH) are benefiting from the use of Wysa’s AI mental health app to enhance their wellbeing and mental health. In a collaborative project with NHSEI Midlands and NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit, Wysa has been provided to 350 staff members in CAMHS services.
The initiative aims to evaluate the impact of digital wellbeing support for staff in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) wards, as identified as one of the key areas where additional support can significantly improve outcomes for both staff and young individuals. Burnout among NHS staff has become a pressing concern, with 34% reporting experiencing burnout, and a staggering 79% contemplating leaving the NHS altogether, according to Organise, a worker-led network.
In response to these challenges, a tailored version of Wysa’s anonymous wellbeing platform was developed for NHFT and STAH, featuring local helplines and signposting. The trial lasted for 12 weeks, and the participating staff will continue to have free access to the app for the next 12 months. Staff questionnaires, in-app data, and post-app use focus groups were employed to gather valuable insights into staff experiences, attitudes toward digital support, and overall views on workforce wellbeing.
Anxiety, confidence, sleep, and motivation emerged as the primary stressors for staff members, with feelings of upset, sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion being most frequently expressed when conversing with Wysa. On average, users completed 5.4 sessions on the app and made use of features including mood monitoring, mindfulness exercises, sleep assistance, and thought logs.
The feedback from staff has been encouraging, with one member stating, “I’ve found the mindfulness pack particularly useful in switching off from the highly stressful job I have at the moment.” This demonstrates the positive impact that AI mental health support can have on the overall wellbeing of healthcare professionals.
The implementation of AI technology in healthcare, such as Wysa’s mental health app, highlights the ongoing efforts of the NHS to support and empower their staff. By equipping employees with the necessary tools to manage their mental and emotional health, healthcare trusts can ensure that their workforce remains happy, healthy, and capable of delivering exceptional care to their patients.
FAQ:
Q: What is CAMHS?
A: CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. It is a service within the NHS that provides mental health support for young people.
Q: How many staff members have access to Wysa’s AI mental health app?
A: 350 staff members at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and St Andrew’s Healthcare have access to the app.
Q: How long did the trial of Wysa’s app last?
A: The trial lasted for 12 weeks, and staff members will continue to have access to the app for the following 12 months.
Q: What were the primary stressors for staff members?
A: Anxiety, confidence, sleep, and motivation were identified as the primary stressors for staff members.
Q: How did staff members engage with the app?
A: On average, users completed 5.4 sessions on the app and utilized features such as mood monitoring, mindfulness exercises, sleep assistance, and thought logs.