Submission ID 129642
| Issue/Objective | Mental health disorders are a leading cause of disability among youth globally, with the burden disproportionately affecting those in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite increasing interest in digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) as scalable solutions, access to care remains limited and evidence on how these interventions are designed and implemented for youth in LMICs is fragmented. This scoping review aims to map the existing literature on the design and implementation of DMHIs for youth in LMICs, with a focus on identifying key patterns, gaps, and opportunities for scale. This scoping review follows the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and is reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science, alongside grey literature sources. Search terms combined concepts related to digital mental health, youth populations, and LMIC settings. Studies published between 2015 and 2025 were included if they reported on the design, implementation, or evaluation of DMHIs for youth. Screening was conducted by two independent reviewers, and data were charted on intervention characteristics, design features, implementation strategies, and reported outcomes. Preliminary findings indicate a growing body of literature characterized by pilot and feasibility studies, with strong evidence of acceptability and engagement but limited long-term effectiveness data. Emerging design patterns include youth-centered and co-designed approaches, culturally adapted and non-clinical content, and brief, modular intervention formats often delivered through conversational or interactive platforms. Implementation findings highlight the importance of hybrid delivery models, integration within school or community settings, and the use of low-bandwidth, accessible technologies. Common barriers include digital inequities, stigma, and sustainability challenges, while facilitators include cultural relevance, privacy features, and community support mechanisms. The findings suggest that effective DMHIs for youth are those that align closely with user needs, cultural context, and infrastructural constraints. However, the evidence base remains limited by a lack of large-scale, long-term evaluations and insufficient integration of implementation science frameworks. This review reveals the need for future research to move beyond feasibility toward sustainable, system-integrated models of care. |
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| Methodology/Approach | This study is a scoping review conducted to map the design and implementation of digital mental health interventions for youth in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The review follows the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and is reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple academic databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science, as well as grey literature sources, to capture both published and program-based interventions. Search terms combined concepts related to digital mental health, youth populations, and LMIC settings using Boolean operators. Studies published between 2015 and 2025 were included if they examined the design, implementation, or evaluation of digital mental health interventions targeting youth (approximately ages 10-24) in LMIC contexts. Title/abstract and full-text screening were conducted independently by two reviewers, with discrepancies resolved through consensus. Data were charted on study characteristics, intervention design features, implementation strategies, and reported outcomes. Findings were synthesized descriptively to identify patterns, gaps, and emerging approaches across diverse settings. |
| Results | Preliminary findings indicate a rapidly growing body of literature on digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) for youth in LMICs, largely characterized by pilot and feasibility studies. Across studies, there is consistent evidence of high acceptability and user engagement, but limited data on long-term effectiveness and sustained outcomes. Several recurring design patterns were identified, including youth-centered and co-designed interventions, the use of culturally adapted and non-clinical language, and the delivery of brief, modular content through interactive or conversational formats such as chatbots. Interventions that incorporated elements of personalization and choice were associated with greater engagement. From an implementation perspective, hybrid delivery models that combine digital tools with minimal human support-such as lay counselors, teachers, or caregivers-were commonly reported and associated with improved uptake and retention. Successful interventions were often integrated within schools or community-based settings and designed to function in low-resource environments through low-bandwidth or offline-capable technologies. Key barriers included limited digital access, stigma related to mental health, and challenges with sustainability beyond pilot phases. Facilitators included cultural relevance, privacy and anonymity features, and alignment with existing community or institutional structures. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | This scoping review highlights that while digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) for youth in LMICs show strong promise in terms of acceptability and feasibility, significant gaps remain in translating these interventions into sustainable, real-world impact. The evidence suggests that effective interventions are those that are youth-centered, culturally adapted, and designed for low-resource environments; however, most remain at the pilot stage with limited integration into health or education systems. From a policy perspective, the findings underscore the need for stronger alignment between digital mental health innovations and existing national health and education infrastructures. Governments and global organizations, such as the World Health Organization, have a critical role to play in supporting the scale-up of DMHIs through standardized frameworks, funding mechanisms, and integration into primary care and school-based services. Without such alignment, many interventions risk remaining fragmented and unsustainable. In terms of scaling, hybrid models that combine digital tools with community-based human support (e.g., teachers, lay health workers) appear particularly promising, as they balance scalability with safety and engagement. Additionally, low-bandwidth, privacy-conscious, and modular designs are essential to ensure equitable access across diverse LMIC contexts. Future research should prioritize implementation science approaches, long-term evaluation, and system-level integration to move beyond feasibility toward sustained impact. In line with the conference sub-theme, this review emphasizes the importance of translating evidence into action by identifying practical design and implementation strategies that can be adapted across settings. Bridging research to practice will require not only innovative technologies, but also coordinated efforts across policy, community, and health systems to ensure that digital mental health interventions reach and benefit the youth populations most in need. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Queenie Cheung York University Fabbiha Raidah York University Benedict Weobong York University Kerry Scott York University Queenie Cheung York University |
