Staying on Track

An online course to help New Zealanders with their mental and emotional health through times of stress and uncertainty.
A module from Just a Thought.

Staying on Track	By Wise Group
	Features Free online course. Ranges of resources to provide practical strategies to help people in times of distress.
Country of origin	New Zealand
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? Yes Require a login? Yes Have password protection? Yes Have a privacy policy? Yes Require internet access to use? Yes Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free
Advertisements	This app contains no ads.
How to access the course	(external link)

Staying on Track is an online course that provides a range of tools to help you cope with worries and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. It consists of one illustrated lesson, supported by a lesson summary and helpful resources.

The content teaches you how to manage worry, stay active, manage sleep problems, stay connected with yourself and others, problem-solve and more. Before you start, you are asked a series of questions to gauge how you are feeling.

The course can be done with the support of a healthcare professional or you can do it on your own (self-guided). It is available to anyone residing in Aotearoa New Zealand or the Pacific Island nations who may need some extra support with their mental wellbeing due to the impacts of COVID-19.

For the complete app description, go to the website(external link) or, for a detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS	CONS
✔ At the end of the lesson there are multiple resources. – 11 written resources. These cover a wide variety of standard cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) tools and topics such as Worry Time, and a problem-solving worksheet. – One abstract animated video (breathing exercise). – There is also an 8-page lesson section going over the topics and tips, finishing off with a few worksheets (similar to the downloadable ones). ✔ The session has a validated mental health screening questionnaire (which you can skip). ✔ Sign language version. ✔ You can either sign up for free on your own, or a clinician (eg, your doctor or CBT therapist) can ‘refer’ you and monitor your progress and mental health questionnaire scores. The clinician cannot interact with you in any way on the platform. ✔ Free. ✔ Suitable for both adolescents and adults.	✘ There is no mobile app, but the web page is mobile-optimised. Best suited for tablets, laptops or desktop computers. ✘ There are several disadvantages to online CBT. These include: – low adherence when unguided – lack of direct monitoring unless your GP's practice is set up for this – technology accessibility – English literacy requirements. ✘ There is a general lack of video elements. ✘ It's not available in languages other than English.

PROS

CONS

✔ At the end of the lesson there are multiple resources.
– 11 written resources. These cover a wide variety of standard cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) tools and topics such as Worry Time, and a problem-solving worksheet.
– One abstract animated video (breathing exercise).
– There is also an 8-page lesson section going over the topics and tips, finishing off with a few worksheets (similar to the downloadable ones).

✔ The session has a validated mental health screening questionnaire (which you can skip).

✔ Sign language version.

✔ You can either sign up for free on your own, or a clinician (eg, your doctor or CBT therapist) can ‘refer’ you and monitor your progress and mental health questionnaire scores. The clinician cannot interact with you in any way on the platform.

✔ Free.

✔ Suitable for both adolescents and adults.

✘ There is no mobile app, but the web page is mobile-optimised. Best suited for tablets, laptops or desktop computers.

✘ There are several disadvantages to online CBT. These include:
– low adherence when unguided
– lack of direct monitoring unless your GP's practice is set up for this
– technology accessibility
– English literacy requirements.

✘ There is a general lack of video elements.

✘ It's not available in languages other than English.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Rachel Massey, Registered Psychologist
Date of review: November 2022
Platform: Website
Comments: Staying on Track is an online course with helpful tips for managing stress and improving well being. It contains a good amount of helpful information, tools and tips that can be utilised to manage not only pandemic-related but more general stress, and maintain good mental health and wellbeing overall. The course is suitable for adolescents and adults.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: Yes, relevant to a New Zealand audience.

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