JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Mental health interventions delivered via mobile technologies (mHealth) can increase access to mental health services, especially among university students. The development of mHealth intervention is complex and needs to be context-sensitive. There is currently limited evidence on the perceptions, needs, and barriers related to these interventions in the Southeast Asia context.

Objective:

This qualitative study aims to explore the perception of university students and mental health supporters on mental health services, campaigns and mHealth interventions with a focus on conversational agent interventions for the prevention of common mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Methods:

We performed six online Focus Group Discussions with thirty university students (N=30) and one-to-one online interviews with mental health supporters consisting of faculty members with student pastoral care, a mental health first-aider, counsellors, psychologists, clinical psychologist, and psychiatrist (N=11). The qualitative analysis followed a reflexive thematic analysis framework.

Results:

Six main themes were identified: (1) healthy lifestyle as students; (2) access to mental health services; (3) the role of mental health promotion campaigns; (4) preferred mHealth engagement features; (5) factors influencing the adoption of mHealth interventions; and (6) cultural relevance of mHealth interventions. Our findings showed that students were reluctant to use mental health services due to fear of stigma and a potential lack of confidentiality.

Conclusions:

mHealth interventions for mental health were seen as important primarily as a part of a blended intervention. Finally, they felt future mHealth interventions for mental health should be more personalised and able to manage adverse events like suicidal ideations.