A multidimensional approach for differentiating the clinical needs of young people presenting for primary mental health care

Capon, William; Hickie, Ian B.; Fetanat, Masoud; Varidel, Mathew; LaMonica, Haley M; Prodan, Ante; Piper, Sarah; Davenport, Tracey A; Mughal, Sarah; Shah, Jai; Scott, Elizabeth; Iorfino, Frank

doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152404

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 29 publications

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“…Recent evidence highlights an upward trend in mental health concerns among those aged 12 to 25 years (Capon et al, 2023 ; Twenge et al, 2019 ). Among many contributing factors, the COVID-19 pandemic may have intensified these challenges, with most young adults (74–87%) experiencing mental health deteriorations during the pandemic (Headspace, 2020 ; Radomski et al, 2023 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outcomes of Best-Practice Guided Digital Mental Health Interventions for Youth and Young Adults with Emerging Symptoms: Part II. A Systematic Review of User Experience Outcomes

Opie,

Vuong,

Welsh

et al. 2024

Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev

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Although many young people demonstrate resilience and strength, research and clinical evidence highlight an upward trend in mental health concerns among those aged 12 to 25 years. Youth-specific digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) aim to address this trend by providing timely access to mental health support for young people (12–25 years). However, there is a considerable gap in understanding young people user experiences with digital interventions. This review, co-designed with Australia’s leading mental health organization Beyond Blue, utilizes a systematic methodology to synthesize evidence on user experience in youth-oriented digital mental health interventions that are fully or partially guided. Five relevant online databases were searched for articles published from 2018 to 2023, yielding 22,482 articles for screening and 22 studies were included in the present analysis. User experience outcomes relating to satisfaction and engagement were assessed for each included intervention, with experience indicators relating to usefulness, usability, value, credibility, and desirability being examined. Elements associated with positive/negative outcomes were extracted. Elements shown to positively influence user experience included peer engagement, modern app-based delivery, asynchronous support, and personalized content. In contrast, users disliked static content, homework/log-keeping, the requirement for multiple devices, and social media integration. Asynchronous interventions showed high satisfaction but faced engagement issues, with combined asynchronous/synchronous interventions reporting better completion rates. DMHIs offer a promising platform for youth mental health support and has the potential to dramatically increase the reach of interventions through the adoption of technological and user experience best practices. While young people respond positively to many aspects of intervention modernization, such as interactive, app-based design, other concepts, such as social media integration, they need to be adopted by the field more cautiously to ensure trust and engagement.Trial Registration CRD42023405812

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Outcomes of Best-Practice Guided Digital Mental Health Interventions for Youth and Young Adults with Emerging Symptoms: Part II. A Systematic Review of User Experience Outcomes

Opie,

Vuong,

Welsh

et al. 2024

Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev

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A Digital Approach for Addressing Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors in Youth Mental Health Services: Observational Study

Chong,

Hickie,

Ottavio

et al. 2024

J Med Internet Res

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Background Long wait times for mental health treatments may cause delays in early detection and management of suicidal ideation and behaviors, which are crucial for effective mental health care and suicide prevention. The use of digital technology is a potential solution for prompt identification of youth with high suicidality. Objective The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a digital suicidality notification system designed to detect and respond to suicidal needs in youth mental health services. Second, the study aimed to characterize young people at different levels of suicidal ideation and behaviors. Methods Young people aged between 16 and 25 years completed multidimensional assessments using a digital platform, collecting demographic, clinical, social, functional, and suicidality information. When the suicidality score exceeded a predetermined threshold, established based on clinical expertise and service policies, a rule-based algorithm configured within the platform immediately generated an alert for treating clinicians. Subsequent clinical actions and response times were analyzed. Results A total of 2021 individuals participated, of whom 266 (11%) triggered one or more high suicidal ideation and behaviors notification. Of the 292 notifications generated, 76% (222/292) were resolved, with a median response time of 1.9 (range 0-50.8) days. Clinical actions initiated to address suicidality included creating safety plans (60%, 134/222), conducting safety checks (18%, 39/222), psychological therapy (8%, 17/222), transfer to another service (3%, 8/222), and scheduling of new appointments (2%, 4/222). Young people with high levels of suicidality were more likely to present with more severe and comorbid symptoms, including low engagement in work or education, heterogenous psychopathology, substance misuse, and recurrent illness. Conclusions The digital suicidality notification system facilitated prompt clinical actions by alerting clinicians to high levels of suicidal ideation and behaviors detected among youth. Further, the multidimensional assessment revealed complex and comorbid symptoms exhibited in youth with high suicidality. By expediting and personalizing care for those displaying elevated suicidality, the digital notification system can play a pivotal role in preventing rapid symptom progression and its detrimental impacts on young people’s mental health.

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A Digital Approach for Addressing Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors in Youth Mental Health Services: Observational Study (Preprint)

Chong,

Hickie,

Ottavio

et al. 2024

Preprint

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BACKGROUND Long wait times for mental health treatments may cause delays in early detection and management of suicidal ideation and behaviors, which are crucial for effective mental health care and suicide prevention. The use of digital technology is a potential solution for prompt identification of youth with high suicidality. OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a digital suicidality notification system designed to detect and respond to suicidal needs in youth mental health services. Second, the study aimed to characterize young people at different levels of suicidal ideation and behaviors. METHODS Young people aged between 16 and 25 years completed multidimensional assessments using a digital platform, collecting demographic, clinical, social, functional, and suicidality information. When the suicidality score exceeded a predetermined threshold, established based on clinical expertise and service policies, a rule-based algorithm configured within the platform immediately generated an alert for treating clinicians. Subsequent clinical actions and response times were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 2021 individuals participated, of whom 266 (11%) triggered one or more high suicidal ideation and behaviors notification. Of the 292 notifications generated, 76% (222/292) were resolved, with a median response time of 1.9 (range 0-50.8) days. Clinical actions initiated to address suicidality included creating safety plans (60%, 134/222), conducting safety checks (18%, 39/222), psychological therapy (8%, 17/222), transfer to another service (3%, 8/222), and scheduling of new appointments (2%, 4/222). Young people with high levels of suicidality were more likely to present with more severe and comorbid symptoms, including low engagement in work or education, heterogenous psychopathology, substance misuse, and recurrent illness. CONCLUSIONS The digital suicidality notification system facilitated prompt clinical actions by alerting clinicians to high levels of suicidal ideation and behaviors detected among youth. Further, the multidimensional assessment revealed complex and comorbid symptoms exhibited in youth with high suicidality. By expediting and personalizing care for those displaying elevated suicidality, the digital notification system can play a pivotal role in preventing rapid symptom progression and its detrimental impacts on young people’s mental health.

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A multidimensional approach for differentiating the clinical needs of young people presenting for primary mental health care

Cited by 4 publications

References 29 publications

Outcomes of Best-Practice Guided Digital Mental Health Interventions for Youth and Young Adults with Emerging Symptoms: Part II. A Systematic Review of User Experience Outcomes

Outcomes of Best-Practice Guided Digital Mental Health Interventions for Youth and Young Adults with Emerging Symptoms: Part II. A Systematic Review of User Experience Outcomes

A Digital Approach for Addressing Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors in Youth Mental Health Services: Observational Study

A Digital Approach for Addressing Suicidal Ideation and Behaviors in Youth Mental Health Services: Observational Study (Preprint)

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