JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Digital mental health interventions for young people offer a promising avenue for promoting mental wellbeing and addressing mental health issues in this population.

Objective:

This study aims to explore the range of digital mental health supports available for young people aged 16 - 25 years, with a particular focus on the types of digital tools, modalities, delivery format, target population, and study retention rates.

Methods:

The scoping review was conducted in six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, Cochrane Library and PsychInfo), and a total of 145 articles were included. The findings reveal a diverse landscape of studies globally, equally focusing on prevention and promotion of mental health as well as treatment of mental ill health, most commonly using cognitive behavioural therapy, with apps, web-based resources and websites being the most common digital tools.

Results:

The results highlight the over emphasis on convenience sampling with participants mainly recruited from universities or colleges, and the lack of representation from marginalised groups, including LGBTQ+ youth, those from socioeconomically deprived backgrounds, and neurodivergent individuals. Moreover, the focus on anxiety and depression leaves other mental health conditions underrepresented. Retention rates were moderate, indicating room for improvement. There is a need for more research on preventative measures for those aged under 25 years when young people are at increased risk of mental health issues. This includes exploring different intervention approaches and modalities beyond cognitive behaviour therapy and ensuring inclusivity in study populations. Standardising intervention lengths and incorporating long-term follow-up data could provide valuable insights into the efficacy and effectiveness of digital interventions.

Conclusions:

Future studies should aim for greater inclusivity, ensuring representation from marginalised groups to address the diverse mental health needs of young people effectively. By adopting these approaches, digital mental health interventions can become more accessible, engaging, and impactful for young people worldwide.