Testing an online community on level of depression among older Australians

Web-based peer support intervention: Individuals in the intervention arm will receive usual care plus access to a secure, study-specific, unmoderated online community (the "Seniors Connect" website) dedicated to older people, where they can meet and engage in asynchronous one-to-one and group-based communication with other individuals in the intervention arm. The Seniors Connect website adheres to user-centred design processes and web design guidelines for older people, and will be accessible via computers and mobile devices for the duration of the trial. All individuals in the intervention arm will be sent an email invitation to access the private online community from a member of the research team, including the website address, login details, and basic instructions for use, as well as the BeyondBlue 'Connections Matter' booklet which emphasises the importance of social connections for improving mental health and wellbeing. The booklet takes around 20 minutes to read, however perusal is at the participant's own discretion. Individuals can: 1) create a profile using an online template. Individuals will have the option to include an avatar. As part of the profile creation process, each individual will be required to accept the terms and conditions of using the website including respectful communication, maintaining privacy, and promoting a positive culture among the online community. The research team will check all profiles prior to upload; 2) send and receive one-to-one private messages: a website function will enable individuals to use keywords and filters to search the profiles of other members of the intervention arm and identify those that meet specific criteria such as a particular interest or hobby. Individuals will be able to send connection requests directly to individuals with whom they wish to communicate one-to-one. Once individuals are connected, they will be able to communicate with each other one-to-one via asynchronous private messages linked to their profile, in order to share concerns and provide support to each other; and 3) view and post group-based messages: individuals will be able to communicate with all members of the group by reading and commenting on posts, starting a new discussion topic by posting questions, and sharing content. The research team will post at least 1 news item each month, e.g. links to tip sheets about creating connections, a link to information about the United Nations International Day of Friendship, a link to information about the FriendLine service. Individuals will receive sms and/or email prompts alerting them to new content (e.g. new members joined, new news items) and to remind them to log on if they have not accessed the website for 2 weeks. An online complaints form allows participants to report inappropriate communication or posts of concern to the research team; these will be reviewed and addressed by the research team upon receipt. The online community will be launched when the group has achieved a critical mass of 20 registered profiles, and will be accessible to individuals in the intervention group as often as they choose to engage, for a six month intervention period. Adherence to the intervention will be monitored by inbuilt software tracking profile created, website logins, post counts, connections requested counts, message counts and minutes per login session. The website will be made available to individuals in the control arm at the end of the 6-month intervention period.