Increasing digital mental health reach and uptake via youth partnerships

Primary care-based screening and recruitment for an adolescent depression prevention trial: Contextual considerations during a youth mental health crisis

“…Presently, the United States health system is ill equipped to support the urgent mental health needs of our youth, and structural change is needed ( OSG, 2021 ). Despite considerable enthusiasm by respondents in diverse organizational roles expressed for P2P, findings from this study suggest that primary care providers will continue to face numerous challenges and extra burden when asked to implement additional, often perceived as less essential tasks, such as needed mental health trials/prevention efforts until substantial resources are invested to relieve the mindset of scarcity and build community trust ( Mullainathan & Shafir, 2013 ; Stiles-Shields et al, 2023 ). Although the COVID-19 pandemic, and the associated increase in the prevalence and severity of youth mental health problems may have seemingly strengthened implementer support for adolescent mental health prevention and operated as a recruitment facilitator, the overwhelming scarcity of personnel power, time allotted per patient according to pre-pandemic standards, and mental health resources constrained recruitment efforts.…”

“…Early identification of emerging mental health problems, including the implementation of mental health screening and prevention-focused efforts, are particularly important for promoting the mental health and well-being of youth ( OSG, 2021 ). The integration of DMHIs into healthcare, such as primary care, may increase access to needed mental health support for youth ( Stiles-Shields et al, 2023 ) but more evidence is needed to support their effective utilization within health settings ( Lattie et al, 2022 ; Stiles-Shields et al, 2023 ).…”

“…Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have proliferated in recent years, especially in the wake of COVID-19 and the rapid transition to digital health care provision ( Lattie et al, 2022 ; Noh & Kim, 2023 ; Stiles-Shields et al, 2023 ). DMHIs, in general, are thought to expand reach and reduce access barriers to mental healthcare ( Bergin et al, 2020 ; Lattie et al, 2022 ; Lehtimaki et al, 2021 ; Ramos & Chavira, 2022 ; Stiles-Shields et al, 2023 ).…”

“…Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have proliferated in recent years, especially in the wake of COVID-19 and the rapid transition to digital health care provision ( Lattie et al, 2022 ; Noh & Kim, 2023 ; Stiles-Shields et al, 2023 ). DMHIs, in general, are thought to expand reach and reduce access barriers to mental healthcare ( Bergin et al, 2020 ; Lattie et al, 2022 ; Lehtimaki et al, 2021 ; Ramos & Chavira, 2022 ; Stiles-Shields et al, 2023 ). However, though widely available and possibly effective for the prevention of adolescent depression ( Noh & Kim, 2023 ) few of these interventions are evidence-based for adolescents, and their implementation in healthcare settings has not been rigorously evaluated ( Lattie et al, 2022 ; Lehtimaki et al, 2021 ; Stiles-Shields et al, 2023 ).…”

“…DMHIs, in general, are thought to expand reach and reduce access barriers to mental healthcare ( Bergin et al, 2020 ; Lattie et al, 2022 ; Lehtimaki et al, 2021 ; Ramos & Chavira, 2022 ; Stiles-Shields et al, 2023 ). However, though widely available and possibly effective for the prevention of adolescent depression ( Noh & Kim, 2023 ) few of these interventions are evidence-based for adolescents, and their implementation in healthcare settings has not been rigorously evaluated ( Lattie et al, 2022 ; Lehtimaki et al, 2021 ; Stiles-Shields et al, 2023 ). Evidence on the effectiveness and implementation of preventive DMHIs with youth “at-risk” for developing mental health disorders (i.e., targeted preventive interventions), and with underserved populations, is especially lacking ( Bergin et al, 2020 ; Noh & Kim, 2023 ).…”