As practitioners dedicated to improving child mental health, leveraging the latest research can significantly enhance our practice. A recent study titled Co-designing a digital mental health platform, “Momentum”, with young people aged 7–17: A qualitative study offers valuable insights into creating effective digital mental health interventions (DMHIs). Here, we delve into the key findings and recommendations from this study to help you implement these insights into your practice.
Key Findings
The study involved 68 participants aged 7–17 years who engaged in co-design workshops to develop a digital mental health platform. The analysis revealed six themes that are crucial for creating engaging and effective DMHIs:
- Interactive: The platform should be engaging and fun, incorporating elements like avatars, games, and interactive activities.
- Relatable: Content should normalize mental health struggles and include user testimonials to foster a sense of connection.
- Customisable: Allowing users to personalize their experience can enhance engagement and ownership.
- Intuitive: The platform should be easy to navigate with clear instructions and user-friendly design.
- Inclusive: It should cater to diverse backgrounds and learning needs, incorporating various content formats.
- Personalised, Transparent, and Trustworthy Content: Information should be tailored to individual needs and come from reputable sources.
Recommendations for Practitioners
Based on these findings, here are some actionable recommendations for practitioners:
- Incorporate Interactive Elements: Integrate games, quizzes, and interactive characters to make the platform engaging and educational.
- Enhance Relatability: Use non-judgmental language, include relatable characters, and provide user testimonials to normalize mental health issues.
- Offer Customisation Options: Allow users to personalize their experience by choosing themes, avatars, and content frequency.
- Ensure Intuitive Design: Make the platform easy to navigate with clear instructions, search functions, and a guide character.
- Promote Inclusivity: Include diverse characters and provide content in multiple formats to cater to different learning needs.
- Provide Personalised and Trustworthy Content: Tailor content to individual needs and ensure it comes from credible sources.
Encouraging Further Research
While the study offers comprehensive recommendations, further research is crucial to continually refine and improve DMHIs. Practitioners are encouraged to engage in or support ongoing research efforts to ensure that digital platforms remain effective and relevant.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Co-designing a digital mental health platform, “Momentum”, with young people aged 7–17: A qualitative study
