JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Digital mental health tools (DMHTs) are increasingly used by young people as first points of contact for mental health support, yet evidence on how their design and implementation collectively shape help-seeking outcomes remains fragmented.

Objective:

This umbrella review aimed to synthesise findings from systematic, scoping, and narrative reviews to identify best practices and minimum standards for promoting help-seeking through DMHTs targeting young people aged 12–25.

Methods:

Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search of six electronic databases was conducted covering the period 2015–2025, supplemented by grey literature. Methodological quality of included reviews was assessed using AMSTAR 2.

Results:

Twenty-six reviews met the eligibility criteria. Findings indicate that DMHTs improve help-seeking intentions, primarily through enhanced mental health literacy and reduced stigma; however, these improvements do not reliably translate into observable help-seeking behaviour. Key facilitators for engagement included anonymity, privacy, and social connectedness. Best practices identified included co-design with young people, personalisation of content, and clinical moderation. DMHTs were most effective when integrated into established referral pathways, such as school systems or primary healthcare.

Conclusions:

While DMHTs are effective in improving help-seeking intentions, their real-world impact remains limited, highlighting the need for integrated approaches to design, implementation, and behavioural outcomes. These findings provide actionable guidance for policymakers and practitioners integrating DMHTs into youth mental health systems.