Presenting findings from a scoping review which explored co-production of accessible digital mental health supports with marginalised young people

Background and aims

Some digital aids help to improve the mental wellbeing of young people, but information is lacking about the best approach to involving young people in the co-production of digital mental health technologies. For successful digital mental health supports, user input is crucial, especially for marginalised young people who are frequently excluded.

Method

The presentation will focus on coproduction processes of digital mental health supports ranging from mental health promotion to targeted interventions which were examined in a scoping review of international literature written in English.

Results

The review included twenty-one studies published between 2021 and 2023 with a variety of study designs and evidence, demonstrating involvement of marginalised youth in the design, implementation, and/or evaluation of digital mental health technologies. Qualitative and mixed methods studies from eleven countries were reviewed, with the majority of work focusing on the co-production of digital supports related to mental health promotion and prevention. Studies usually included young people as passive, as opposed to active, participants in only one of the co-production processes.

Conclusion

Drawing on the review and a rights- based approach to youth participation, the presentation argues that no one ideal co-production process for involving young people exists, and that marginalised youth should actively participate in all phases of co-production for digital mental health technologies, including the selection of methodologies for use.