What is the evaluation about?

This evaluation of the eFriend Program aims to understand how well the program performed to improve it for the future. You have been invited because you were a Participant of the program.

Who is conducting this evaluation?

The evaluation is being carried out by ICLA in collaboration with the Black Dog Institute, which is affiliated with the University of NSW and as such, the evaluation has ethics approval from the University Human Ethics Committee B.

Who is being included in this survey?

Before you decide to participate in this survey, we need to ensure that it is ok for you to take part. The survey is being sent to all former and current Participants of the eFriend Program who started the Program between July 2020 and March 2021.

Do I have to take part in this survey?

Participation in the survey 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 evaluation, you will be asked to:

• Read the information carefully (ask questions if necessary);
• Complete the online survey.

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

The survey will ask you questions about your experiences in the eFriend Program and some general demographic information. It should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

If you wish to discontinue the survey due to feelings of discomfort or distress you can stop participating at any time. Below are a list of support services and their contact details provided.

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?

Submission of the online survey is an indication of your consent. By starting the survey you are providing your permission for the research team to collect and use information about you for the research study.

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 evaluation?

If you do consent to participate, you may withdraw at any time. You can do this by closing the survey and no information will be retained. Once you have submitted the survey however, we will not be able to withdraw your responses as the survey is anonymous.

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 evaluation?

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

Declaration by the participant

By starting the survey:

• I understand I am being asked to provide consent to participate in this evaluation;
• I have read the Participant Information Sheet, or it has been provided to me in a language that I understand;
• I provide my consent for the information collected about me to be used for the purpose of this evaluation only.
• I understand that if necessary, I can ask questions and the evaluation team will respond to my questions.
• I freely agree to participate in this evaluation as described and understand that I am free to withdraw at any time during the evaluation and withdrawal will not affect my relationship with any of the named organisations and/or research team members;