ACS completes mental health hackathon

IT professional association ACS and the Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia have completed a unique hackathon aimed at leveraging data analytics skills to improve mental health services.

The Data Hack event at ACS’s Melbourne Docklands Innovation Hub was designed to help mental health charity SANE Australia improve the services it provides to the community.

A team of data experts and students provided some valuable insights into SANE’s operations from call centre operations to the increasing demand for services, particularly in Victoria.

Jessica Kaaden, Director of People and Communications at SANE and part of the hackathon judging panel, said the results of the event will be valuable.

“Participants uncovered some surprising insights for SANE which will assist us in improving service delivery so we can support more help-seekers. Participants were engaged, intelligent and went beyond the data to uncover real insights,” she said.

The Data Hack was supported by the Victorian Government, held in conjunction with SheLovesData and attended by over 35 technology workers.

All participants were so committed to using their data analytical skills and provide solutions that could make a real difference to the services provided to people with mental health issues,” said ACS Victoria Branch Chair Dr Rod Dilnutt.

“We had a purpose, and all the teams produced some worthwhile solutions that SANE could take away and further expand on.”

Demand for SANE services has been increasing as a result of the pandemic and other stressors. Recent census data meanwhile shows that 8.8% of Australians have a long-term mental health condition.