Can Digital Technologies Support the Mental Health of Young People on the Island of Ireland?

Background

As mental health issues rise among young people, it’s vital to listen to their perspectives and involve them in finding solutions. 

Aims and objectives

This study aims to identify mental health challenges and needs of 16-25-year-olds and thoughts around digital mental health technologies. Findings will guide future work on the role of digital mental health technologies in complementing face-to-face services to provide mental health support for young people.

Research design

Young people from diverse backgrounds across the island of Ireland have been invited to complete a survey on issues impacting young people’s mental health wellbeing; help-seeking; and awareness, prior use, and willingness to use digital technologies for mental health support.

Results

So far, 56 participants (73% from Republic of Ireland and 27% from Northern Ireland) with a mean age 20.3 have completed the survey. Most respondents were female (71%), 32% weren’t in education, 34% were unemployed, and 14% identified as neurodivergent. The results examine barriers to help seeking and discussing mental health, prior use of mental health services (digital and face-to-face), features they like or dislike about digital tools they have previously used, and what they would like to see in the future with regards to mental health supports.