What is the evaluation about?

This evaluation of the eFriend Program aims to understand how well the program performed in order to improve it for the future. You have been invited to participate in this interview because you were or are a peer support worker in the program and have completed the initial survey.

Who is conducting this evaluation?

The evaluation is being carried out by ICLA in collaboration with the Black Dog Institute.

Who is being included in the interview?

Before you decide to participate in the interviews, we want to ensure that you are ok with participating. You verbal consent will be sought when the interview takes place.

Do I have to take part in the interview?

Participation in the interview is voluntary. If you do not want to take part, you do not have to.

If you decide you want to take part in the interviews, you will be asked to:

• Read the information carefully (ask questions if necessary, see contact below);
• Verbally consent to taking part at the beginning of the interview.

What does participation in this evaluation require, and are there any risks involved?

The interview will take place online at a time convenient to you. Zoom will be used to conduct the interview and it will last approximately 45 minutes. In the interview you will be asked questions about your experiences as a peer support worker in the eFriend Program particularly about what the facilitating factors and barriers to your participation in the Program were.

With your permission the research team would like to audio record the interview. If you do not wish to be recorded but you would like to participate you can advise the research team and written notes will be taken. If your interview is audio recorded transcripts of the recordings will be undertaken.

You may feel that some of the questions we ask are stressful or upsetting. If you do not wish to answer a question, you may skip it and go to the next question, or you may stop immediately. If you become upset or distressed as a result of your participation in the interview, a number of free contactable support services are included below.

What are the possible benefits to participation?

We hope to use information we get from this evaluation to benefit others who will sign up for the eFriend program.  

What will happen to the information collected?

The evaluation team will store the information collected from you for this evaluation for a minimum of 7 years after the completion of the evaluation.

The information about you will be stored in a non-identifiable format where your identity will be unknown.

What if I want to withdraw from the interview?

If you do consent to participate, you may withdraw at any time during the interview. Your decision not to participate or to withdraw from the study will not affect your relationship with ICLA or the Black Dog Institute. Once the interview is completed your answers will remain anonymous and it will no longer be possible to withdraw.

The information you provide is personal information for the purposes of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW).  You have the right of access to personal information held about you by the University, the right to request correction and amendment of it, and the right to make a compliant about a breach of the Information Protection Principles as contained in the PPIP Act.  Further information on how the University protects personal information is available in the UNSW Privacy Management Plan.

What should I do if I have further questions about my involvement in the interview?

The person you may need to contact will depend on the nature of your query. If you require further information regarding this evaluation or if you have any problems which may be related to your involvement in the evaluation, you can contact the following member of the evaluation team:

Evaluation Team Contact:

Name: Dr Rebecca Hardy
Position: Head of Evaluation, Black Dog Institute
Telephone: 02 9065 9056
Email: b.hardy@blackdog.org.au

If at any stage during the study, you become distressed or require additional support from someone not involved in the research please contact one of the following:

Contact for feelings of distress:

Lifeline – Crisis support 13 11 14
1800 RESPECT – Domestic violence 1800 737 732
Blue Knot Foundation – Childhood trauma & grief 1300 657 380
QLife – LGBT Community 1800 184 527

What if I have a complaint or any concerns about the research study?

If you have a complaint regarding any aspect of the study or the way it is being conducted, please contact the UNSW Human Ethics Coordinator:

Complaints Contact:

Position: Human Ethics Coordinator
Telephone: 02 9385 6222
Email: humanethics@unsw.edu.au
HC Reference Number: HC210266