scholarly journals Digital interventions to mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public mental health: a rapid meta-review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Rauschenberg ◽  
Anita Schick ◽  
Dusan Hirjak ◽  
Andreas Seidler ◽  
Isabell Pätzold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Digital Interventions ◽  
Psychosocial Consequences ◽  
Meta Review

Background: Digital interventions may be used to mitigate psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic but evidence-based recommendations are lacking. The aim of this rapid meta-review was to investigate the theoretical base, user perspective, safety, effectiveness, and cost effectiveness of digital interventions in public mental health provision (i.e. mental health promotion, prevention of, and treatment for mental disorder). Methods: A rapid meta-review was conducted. MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and CENTRAL databases were searched on May 11, 2020. Study inclusion criteria were broad and considered systematic reviews that investigated digital tools for health promotion, prevention, or treatment of mental health conditions likely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings: We identified 813 reviews of which 82 met inclusion criteria. Overall, there is good evidence on the usability, safety, acceptance/satisfaction, and effectiveness of eHealth interventions while evidence on mHealth apps is promising, especially if social components (e.g. blended care) and strategies to promote adherence are incorporated. Although most digital interventions focus on the prevention or treatment of mental disorders, there is some evidence on mental health promotion. However, evidence on long-term clinical effects, process quality, and cost-effectiveness is very limited. Interpretation: Accumulating evidence suggests negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on public mental health. There is evidence that digital interventions are particularly suited to mitigating psychosocial consequences at the population level. Decision-makers should develop digital strategies for continued mental health care and the development and implementation of mental health promotion and prevention programs in times of quarantine and social distancing.

scholarly journals Evidence Synthesis of Digital Interventions to Mitigate the Negative Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Public Mental Health: Rapid Meta-review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Rauschenberg ◽  
Anita Schick ◽  
Dusan Hirjak ◽  
Andreas Seidler ◽  
Isabell Paetzold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Digital Interventions ◽  
Meta Review ◽  
Meta Analyses

BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence suggests the COVID-19 pandemic has negative effects on public mental health. Digital interventions that have been developed and evaluated in recent years may be used to mitigate the negative consequences of the pandemic. However, evidence-based recommendations on the use of existing telemedicine and internet-based (eHealth) and app-based mobile health (mHealth) interventions are lacking. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the theoretical and empirical base, user perspective, safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of digital interventions related to public mental health provision (ie, mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders) that may help to reduce the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A rapid meta-review was conducted. The MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL databases were searched on May 11, 2020. Study inclusion criteria were broad and considered systematic reviews and meta-analyses that investigated digital tools for health promotion, prevention, or treatment of mental health conditions and determinants likely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS Overall, 815 peer-reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses were identified, of which 83 met the inclusion criteria. Our findings suggest that there is good evidence on the usability, safety, acceptance/satisfaction, and effectiveness of eHealth interventions. Evidence on mHealth apps is promising, especially if social components (eg, blended care) and strategies to promote adherence are incorporated. Although most digital interventions focus on the prevention or treatment of mental disorders, there is some evidence on mental health promotion. However, evidence on process quality, cost-effectiveness, and long-term effects is very limited. CONCLUSIONS There is evidence that digital interventions are particularly suited to mitigating psychosocial consequences at the population level. In times of physical distancing, quarantine, and restrictions on social contacts, decision makers should develop digital strategies for continued mental health care and invest time and efforts in the development and implementation of mental health promotion and prevention programs.

scholarly journals Evidence Synthesis of Digital Interventions to Mitigate the Negative Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Public Mental Health: Rapid Meta-review

10.2196/23365 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. e23365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Rauschenberg ◽  
Anita Schick ◽  
Dusan Hirjak ◽  
Andreas Seidler ◽  
Isabell Paetzold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Digital Interventions ◽  
Meta Review ◽  
Meta Analyses

Background Accumulating evidence suggests the COVID-19 pandemic has negative effects on public mental health. Digital interventions that have been developed and evaluated in recent years may be used to mitigate the negative consequences of the pandemic. However, evidence-based recommendations on the use of existing telemedicine and internet-based (eHealth) and app-based mobile health (mHealth) interventions are lacking. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the theoretical and empirical base, user perspective, safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of digital interventions related to public mental health provision (ie, mental health promotion, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders) that may help to reduce the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A rapid meta-review was conducted. The MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL databases were searched on May 11, 2020. Study inclusion criteria were broad and considered systematic reviews and meta-analyses that investigated digital tools for health promotion, prevention, or treatment of mental health conditions and determinants likely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Overall, 815 peer-reviewed systematic reviews and meta-analyses were identified, of which 83 met the inclusion criteria. Our findings suggest that there is good evidence on the usability, safety, acceptance/satisfaction, and effectiveness of eHealth interventions. Evidence on mHealth apps is promising, especially if social components (eg, blended care) and strategies to promote adherence are incorporated. Although most digital interventions focus on the prevention or treatment of mental disorders, there is some evidence on mental health promotion. However, evidence on process quality, cost-effectiveness, and long-term effects is very limited. Conclusions There is evidence that digital interventions are particularly suited to mitigating psychosocial consequences at the population level. In times of physical distancing, quarantine, and restrictions on social contacts, decision makers should develop digital strategies for continued mental health care and invest time and efforts in the development and implementation of mental health promotion and prevention programs.

Understanding Engagement Strategies in Digital Interventions for Mental Health Promotion: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maham Saleem ◽  
Lisa Kühne ◽  
Karina Karolina De Santis ◽  
Tilman Brand ◽  
Heide Busse
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Personalized Feedback ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Engagement Strategies ◽  
Digital Interventions

BACKGROUND Digital interventions offer one solution to address the high demand for mental health promotion, especially when facing physical contact restrictions or lacking accessibility. Engagement with digital interventions is critical for their effectiveness, however, retaining users’ engagement throughout the intervention is challenging. It remains unclear what strategies facilitate the engagement with digital interventions targeting mental health promotion. OBJECTIVE We conducted a scoping review to investigate user engagement strategies and methods to evaluate engagement with digital interventions targeting mental health promotion in adults. METHODS This scoping review adheres to the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews. The search was conducted in seven electronic databases until April 2020. The inclusion criteria for studies were: 1) adult (18 years+) users of digital interventions for mental health promotion from the general population, 2) any digital intervention for mental health promotion, 3) user engagement strategies described in intervention design. We extracted the following data items: study characteristics, digital intervention (type, engagement strategy), evaluation of engagement strategy (method and result specifying if the strategy was effective at facilitating engagement) and features of engagement (usage extent and subjective experience of users). RESULTS A total of 2766 studies were identified, and k = 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. The 16 studies included randomized controlled trials (k=6), studies analyzing process data (k=5), observational studies (k=3), and qualitative studies (k=2). Digital interventions for mental health promotion were either web-based (75%) or mobile-app-based (25%). The engagement strategies included: personalized feedback about intervention content or users’ mental health status; guidance of content and progress through e-coaching; social forum and interactivity with peers; content gamification; reminders; goal setting and rewards. The engagement strategies were deemed effective based on qualitative user feedback or responses on questionnaires/tools (k=4), usability data (k=5) or both (k=7). Most studies identified personalized support in the form of e-coaching, peer support through a social platform, automated personalized feedback, or joint video conference session as an engaging feature. CONCLUSIONS Personalized support during the intervention, access to social support, and personalized feedback appear to promote engagement with digital interventions for mental health promotion. These findings need to be interpreted with caution because the included studies were heterogeneous, had small sample sizes, and typically did not address engagement as the primary outcome. Despite the importance of user engagement for the effectiveness of digital interventions, this field has not yet received much attention. Further research is needed on the effectiveness (and cost-effectiveness) of different strategies required to facilitate user engagement in digital interventions for mental health promotion. CLINICALTRIAL Protocol registered in Open Science Framework from the Centre for Open Science (https://osf.io/egyv8).

Conclusion

2018 ◽  
pp. 569-570
Author(s):  
Dinesh Bhugra ◽  
Kamaldeep Bhui ◽  
Samuel Y. S. Wong ◽  
Stephen E. Gilman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Professional Help ◽  
Is Research

Positive mental health can contribute to better educational, employment, and social functioning. Public mental health includes both mental health promotion and prevention of mental ill health. Public mental health works at levels of general and whole population and society, vulnerable groups and individuals, and those needing early diagnosis and intervention. At each level different strategies are required. It is recognized that, when in distress, most individuals will seek help first from within their personal, social, and folk support systems and seek professional help only if that does not work. This depends upon healthcare systems and available resources. In this chapter the editors propose that public mental health is an important part of any healthcare system and suggest ways forward. They recognize that there is research evidence confirming the value of mental health promotion through education and empowerment, and by promoting strength and resilience through various local and national activities

Mental health promotion: Guidance and strategies

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Kalra ◽  
G. Christodoulou ◽  
R. Jenkins ◽  
V. Tsipas ◽  
N. Christodoulou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Population Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Population Mental Health

AbstractPublic mental health incorporates a number of strategies from mental well-being promotion to primary prevention and other forms of prevention. There is considerable evidence in the literature to suggest that early interventions and public education can work well for reducing psychiatric morbidity and resulting burden of disease. Educational strategies need to focus on individual, societal and environmental aspects. Targeted interventions at individuals will also need to focus on the whole population. A nested approach with the individual at the heart of it surrounded by family surrounded by society at large is the most suitable way to approach this. This Guidance should be read along with the European Psychiatric Association (EPA) Guidance on Prevention. Those at risk of developing psychiatric disorders also require adequate interventions as well as those who may have already developed illness. However, on the model of triage, mental health and well-being promotion need to be prioritized to ensure that, with the limited resources available, these activities do not get forgotten. One possibility is to have separate programmes for addressing concerns of a particular population group, another that is relevant for the broader general population. Mental health promotion as a concept is important and this will allow prevention of some psychiatric disorders and, by improving coping strategies, is likely to reduce the burden and stress induced by mental illness.

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