Using Big Data to Understand Mental Health - DZone Big Data

Mental health has been given a welcome dose of publicity in recent months as various campaigners have attempted to remove the stigma attached to it and encourage people to talk more about their mental wellbeing. Given that it’s believed one in four of us are affected by mental illness, it’s long overdue. It’s especially challenging for young people, with mental health issues often starting when we’re young.

Researchers from the Farr Centre at Swansea University are working to better understand the issues surrounding the impact mental health has on young people.

The team took a Big Data approach to their work and analyzed data from 358,000 people aged between six and 18 years of age living in Wales between 2003 and 2013. The data was gleaned from GPS and NHS primary care services.

The data revealed that antidepressant use rose significantly, with depression symptoms doubling in that time. Interestingly, however, actual diagnoses of depression fell by roughly a quarter.

The paper recommends new strategies for prescribing and treating depression in children and young people. The HAPPEN project, for which this research was a part, aims to better understand the health and wellbeing of young people.

Previous work suggests that 70% of children who have mental health problems don’t receive the right interventions at an early enough age. The project aims to improve that by working with nine to 11-year-old school children in Swansea, Wales.

The cohort of 3,500 children provided data on their sleep, concentration, physical activity, nutrition, and well-being. The data was then linked anonymously to GP records, hospital admissions, and educational achievement.

Researchers then analyzed this data before reporting back to schools and other local health stakeholder groups, including public health professionals, sports clubs, and local charities.

It’s a great example of not only the power of Big Data in improving the research of mental health but also its diagnosis and treatment. Hopefully, it will add to the dialog and improve matters for young people both across the UK and further afield.