Uptake and effectiveness of a self-guided mobile app platform for college student mental health

Abstract

Background College students endorse high rates of mental health problems. While many colleges offer on-campus services, many students who could benefit from mental health services do not receive care. Indeed, nearly half of students who screen positive for depression, for example, do not receive treatment. Digital mental health programs, such as those delivered via mobile apps, may help expand access to mental health care and resources. This mixed-methods study aims to examine the uptake and effectiveness of an implementation of IntelliCare for College Students, a self-guided app-based mental health platform, on two university campuses. Methods Data on counseling center utilization was collected prior to the implementation of the app (pre-implementation phase) and while the app was available on campus (implementation phase). Data on app usage was collected throughout the implementation phase. A subset of participants ( n = 20), along with counseling center staff members ( n = 10), completed feedback interviews. Results Overall, uptake of the app platform was low. A total of 117 participants downloaded the app and registered their study ID during the implementation phase. Approximately 24% (28/117) of participants used the app only once. The number of days between the first and last day of app use ranged from 0 to 299, with a mean of 35.01 days and a median of 14 days. A relatively small portion of the sample (26.5%; 31/117) downloaded one or more of the IntelliCare interactive apps. In examining counseling center utilization, there were no significant changes in intake appointments, individual therapy sessions, or crisis appointments observed from the pre-implementation phase to the implementation phase of the study. Feedback interviews highlighted the significant level of disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and shift to remote learning, including challenges disseminating information to students and a preference to spend less time with digital devices outside of class time. Conclusions Findings from this study indicate that there is an ongoing need to identify ways to reach college students and support student mental health and wellness for the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Factors That Predispose Undergraduates to Mental Issues: A Cumulative Literature Review for Future Research Perspectives

“…While many colleges offer on-campus services, many students who could benefit from mental health services do not receive car. Indeed, nearly half of students who screen positive for depression, for example, do not receive treatment ( 2 ).…”

Insights Into Needs and Preferences for Mental Health Support on Social Media and Through Mobile Apps Among Black Male University Students: Exploratory Qualitative Study

“…This study examined Black male college students’ needs and preferences for using social media and mobile-based apps for their mental health symptoms, stress management, and self-care. This qualitative study stemmed from a larger study [ 51 ] aimed at examining the uptake of a mental health app on 2 university campuses. In line with previous research indicating that minority students underuse existing mental health resources [ 24 , 55 ], early data indicated that Black male students were not enrolling in the parent study or downloading the stress management app despite its wide availability.…”

“…The study findings should also be interpreted in consideration of the COVID-19 situation at the time. Given that the study was conducted during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when college students were overwhelmed by a sudden transition to digital and computer-enabled classes and communications, the findings may potentially be influenced by their digital fatigue [ 51 ]. Participants’ perception of using web-based resources and digital tools may also be altered because of this.…”

“…This study was designed as a supplement to a larger study [ 51 ] focused on the dissemination and implementation of the mental health app IntelliCare for College Students. This app was adapted for college students from the IntelliCare platform, a self-guided mental health app [ 52 ] providing users with interactive apps, cognitive skills, behavioral strategies, and knowledge focused on depression and anxiety.…”

“…This app was adapted for college students from the IntelliCare platform, a self-guided mental health app [52] providing users with interactive apps, cognitive skills, behavioral strategies, and knowledge focused on depression and anxiety. Recent studies have shown significant improvements in anxiety and depression outcomes among IntelliCare users from various settings [51][52][53]. IntelliCare for College Students was implemented on the campuses of 2 racially diverse Midwestern universities.…”