Addressing youth mental health: can we leverage digital technologies for support?

Background Given the prevalence of mental ill health among young people, it’s vital to ensure they have the necessary skills and support to thrive in today’s society. There is a need to better understand how to respond to young people’s mental health needs in new ways. One approach is using digital tools such as apps or chatbots as part of mental health services. It is important to ask young people about the issues impacting their mental health, particularly those from marginalised groups.
Methods This study aims to establish the challenges and needs facing young people aged 16-25 and explore which digital technologies for mental health support they know about, use, or would be open to using. Young people from diverse backgrounds across the Island of Ireland will be invited to complete a survey on these topics. The survey covers: demographics; wellbeing (WHO-5); mental health needs and help seeking; knowledge and experience of digital technologies for mental health; attitudes and intentions regarding digital mental health technologies.
Results The survey will report on the current state of young people’s wellbeing and the main issues affecting their mental health. Young people’s intentions around help seeking and willingness to discuss mental health will be explored alongside how they wish to be supported. It will also include which digital technologies they know about or have used, features they like or dislike, and whether they would be open to using digital technologies for mental health support in the future.
Conclusion When addressing poor mental health among young people, it is important that they are at the heart of the research. This study will guide subsequent work on the role of digital tools in supporting young people’s mental health, while ensuring access to face-to-face supports when needed for a comprehensive mental health service approach.