Moving Evidence-Based Mental Health Interventions into Practice: Implementation of Digital Mental Health Interventions

Abstract

Opinion statementDigital mental health interventions (DMHIs) offer a modern solution to increase access to mental health services, by supporting existing services or providing new services to those who are not as accessible to traditional mental healthcare. DMHIs, however, often face challenges transitioning from research to practice. Implementation science aims to enhance and establish frameworks to help identify barriers and facilitators towards implementing DMHIs in different communities. We analyze the barriers and facilitators towards successful implementation using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) domains and summarize the implementation strategies used to enhance the adoption, implementation, and sustainment of DMHIs. Finally, we address the ethical and safety principles that should be followed to protect the consumers/patients. With the growing amount of evidence supporting the effectiveness of DMHIs, this paper provides an overview of implementation considerations for DMHIs and its role in improving mental healthcare delivery. However, the role of DMHIs and their implementation need to be better defined in various settings. Implementation science and its frameworks can offer us a better understanding of determinants to better identify, create, and evaluate implementation strategies.