Can Digital Technologies Support the Mental Health of Young People on the Island of Ireland?

Background<br/><div/><div>As mental health issues rise among young people, it’s vital to listen to their perspectives and involve them in finding solutions. </div><div><br/></div><div>Aims and objectives</div><div><br/></div><div>This study aims to identify mental health challenges and needs of 16-25-year-olds and thoughts around digital mental health technologies. Findings will guide future work on the role of digital mental health technologies in complementing face-to-face services to provide mental health support for young people.</div><div><br/></div><div>Research design</div><div><br/></div><div>Young people from diverse backgrounds across the island of Ireland have been invited to complete a survey on issues impacting young people’s mental health wellbeing; help-seeking; and awareness, prior use, and willingness to use digital technologies for mental health support.</div><div><br/></div><div>Results</div><div><br/></div><div>So far, 56 participants (73% from Republic of Ireland and 27% from Northern Ireland) with a mean age 20.3 have completed the survey. Most respondents were female (71%), 32% weren’t in education, 34% were unemployed, and 14% identified as neurodivergent. The results examine barriers to help seeking and discussing mental health, prior use of mental health services (digital and face-to-face), features they like or dislike about digital tools they have previously used, and what they would like to see in the future with regards to mental health supports. </div><div><br/></div>