Many people have experienced an online harm and these experiences can impact people’s emotions and mental health. Many data support services are focused on the technical and legal aspects of providing immediate solutions to a problem. However, the need to provide emotional support for people who have been impacted by data leaks or online harms is not being met.
In partnership with health services, the agency will offer specific data counselling sessions for people that have experienced online harms or are feeling anxious about their data privacy. The service will be run by counselling professionals who offer 1-2-1 sessions with individuals, families or partners; providing a space to share issues and receive emotional support to improve their mental health impacted by data breaches or online harms.
The data counsellors are specifically trained to understand and support individuals, partners and families with emotional issues arising from online harms and data privacy issues and the impact it can have on mental and physical health, relationships or financial pressures. Not just treating the symptoms (of potential anxiety, stress, depression, PTSD etc), but working with trained individuals who understand the specific trauma experienced online (such as online fraud, identity theft, cyberbullying, non-consensual sharing of images etc).
The agency will also develop peer support groups around specific online harms providing a space for people to connect and share with others who have had similar experiences to know they are not alone.
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