JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems experienced by children worldwide. In the UK, many children experiencing anxiety do not receive adequate or timely help. Children living in economically-disadvantaged areas experience more mental health problems than those living in high income areas and are less able to engage in activities that can have a positive or protective impact on their mental health. The need for providing low-cost, accessible and engaging mental health interventions for children living in these areas is high.

Objective:

The study aimed to explore how a digital mental health therapeutic, ‘Lumi Nova: Tales of Courage’, could be used to support children living with anxiety in economically-disadvantaged areas.

Methods:

A mixed method study design was used to explore the implementation of Lumi Nova using a supported delivery model with mental health teams based in the North of England. Quantitative data collection on recruitment and engagement patterns were collected and analysed. Qualitative research explored children, parent and practitioner views and experiences with the Lumi Nova app.

Results:

113 children were consented to use Lumi Nova and 98 (87%) accessed the intervention at least once. Qualitative semi-structured interviews found that children, their parents and practitioners viewed the Lumi Nova app positively. Quantitative analysis of the recruitment data suggested the feasibility of a future larger roll-out. Analysis of usage data demonstrated varied patterns of engagement with the intervention. The frequency and duration of usage varied across children, as did the activities completed within the game: almost half (49%) completed three in-game challenges indicating progression through the treatment pathway.

Conclusions:

The study demonstrated that a digital mental health intervention could be successfully deployed within economically-disadvantaged areas in the UK to support children experiencing anxiety. Expected barriers to the deployment of digital mental health interventions in economically-disadvantaged areas (e.g. lack of access to smartphones, data plans, lack of technical skills) were not reported. Digital mental health interventions have the potential to address current gaps in mental health provision for disadvantaged individuals and communities.