Osareme J, Chinaemelum C, Oluwanifemi O, Chinyere E, Obinna D. Mental Health and Digital Technology: A Public Health Review of Current Trends and Responses. International Medical Science Research Journal. 2024;4(2):108-125. doi:10.51594/imsrj.v4i2.754
This review outlines the current landscape of digital mental health interventions (DMHI). The authors provide common concerns about DMHI and summarize recent calls to action for policy change. Digital mental health technologies and interventions offer many possible solutions to bridge the gap between those who have access to mental health care and those who do not. Themes such as lower cost, ease of access, and increased community support via online communities highlight the benefits of DMHIs. On the flip side, however, privacy concerns, increased screen time, disparities in health and digital literacy, and online bullying remain core barriers to universal uptake. One way to mitigate the concerns around DMHI use is to inform users of all risks and implications involved with the digital intervention, as with biomedical therapies. This allows people to make informed decisions about their mental health care and can improve relationships between the public and digital providers. To promote transparency, and efficacy, and reduce risks associated with DMHI, the authors suggest the development of regulations and standards, including efficacy and safety guidelines in line with biomedical therapies. In addition, educational programs to improve users’ digital and mental health literacy should be developed. These will allow users to feel confident making the best choices for themselves in the evolving digital health landscape. User well-being should always be at the forefront of digital mental health intervention development, which should be undertaken in partnership with mental health professionals and end-user feedback. The final, and most critical, call to action closing out this review is collaboration. Innovators, technology companies, end users, policymakers, and mental health professionals must be involved in this rapidly expanding space.