Tutorial 6

This week i will be focusing again on Schizophrenia and mental health and find online community groups that link to these. i will be looking at what service they provide, ethical issues, and how information is shared.

An online community is a group of people with common interests who use the Internet (web sites, email, instant messaging, etc) to communicate, work together and pursue their interests over time  (Leelefever 2003).
 

http://www.mentalwellness.com/mentalwellness/sch_schizophrenia.html- This website is for people who have a menatl illness, or know someone with a mental illness. It gives support and helpful information. People can sign up and write about there life and share inspirational storey's with others.
This website would benefit people who dont have a lot of support or family to talk to.

http://ehealthforum.com/health/ask_a_doctor_forums.html On this website you can post questions and a doctor will answer them or you can read other peoples questions.
Ethical issues- This website is very private, no name or information needs to be given about yourself.

http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_index.php?idx=weblogs This website is similar to the first one, it allows you to sign up and post information and storys or just read what others have to say. It has a forum, blog, news and updates, and videos.


Ethical issues-  Anyone can sign up and read what you have said. People need to know what they are signing up for when they become members to sites like this, they need to understand that they will be protected by the privacy laws. The information being put on these sites needs to be relevant and appropriate for the topic.

These websites are made up of groups of people from all over the world who provide each other moral support, information, and advice on problems relating to some shared characteristic or experience. They can discus issues they may have and it gives them a sense of belonging. These groups are highly inntercative and very helpful for those users.



References
Leelefever. (2003), Common craft blog. retrieved on the 14/04/11/from http://www.commoncraft.com/archives/000208.html

 http://www.answers.com/topic/support-group#ixzz1JeiSrPfy Retrieved on the 16/4/11