David Coyle, Senior Lecturer in Human Computer Interaction at the University of Bristol has just founded Handaxe Limited, a non-profit company developing technology to support child and adolescent mental health services. The handaxe reflects the ways in which new tools evolve over time to complement existing skills. We have invited him to come and talk to us about how technologies that support mental health services can make an important contribution to society.

This talk will focus on the design and evaluations the Pesky gNats intervention for young people experiencing difficulties with anxiety and depression. It builds on research in developmental and clinical psychology and in computer science to help translate an abstract adult therapy into something that is accessible to younger children aged 9-15. Young people play the game over the course of 6 to 8 sessions, together with a suitably qualified adult therapist who understands Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). The therapist and adolescent sit together at a computer. Rather than talking face-to-face with the adolescent, the therapist acts as a partner in their exploration of the game world. This approach can help to reduce the difficulties many young people experience with face-to-face interventions and assist in creating a fun and experiential process. It provides adolescents with an active process and supportive scaffolding in which to develop and apply CBT ideas, and a de-stigmatising way to engage children in mental health treatments.

This Lunchtime Talk is part of Open Studio Friday, which takes place at the Studio every week.

Do you want to find out what is going on at the Pervasive Media Studio? Are you interested in meeting our residents, talking about a specific project or curious about pervasive media? Why not pack a sandwich and join us for one of our Lunchtime Talks and Open Studio Friday.

Lunchtime Talks are informal presentations by Studio residents and associates. They normally take place at 1pm on Friday, are free and open to everybody who’s interested in what we do.

After the Talk, we also invite you to stay with us for the afternoon to continue the conversation or work on your own projects. We provide chairs, tables, wireless and a great space. You bring what you need to work with (laptop/mobile). Our open afternoons close at 5pm.

Let us know if you’d like a tour of the space and we'll be happy to show you around. Send an email to admin@pmstudio.co.uk