Researchers from Melbourne’s Murdoch Children’s Research Institute developed an innovative mobile phone monitoring tool called Mobiletype and trialed it in Victoria with the help of Telstra and Legion Interactive.

A mobile-based application, Mobiletype uses interactive tools to track a patient’s mood, behaviour and daily experiences. The responses are then sent to a database that monitors their stress levels, mood, coping strategies, medication, exercise and eating patterns.

Doctors can study this information prior to the young person’s appointment and assess the need for early intervention or plan how to use the consultation time with the patient.

The program is being evaluated through funding from the Telstra Foundation to see if it is suitable for treating youth depression nationwide.